Reasons for Emotional Eating

An emotional individual is someone prone to or dominated by emotion, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. The University of Colorado at Boulder says that when people eat it may be because they experience physical hunger, which can be felt in the stomach. But if an individual wants to eat in the absence of physical hunger, his reason may be emotional. People eat emotionally to assuage negative emotions, such as anger, fear, boredom or isolated feelings. Different situations can result in emotional eating.

Financial Problems

• Financial obligations are a fact of life for most people. This can include paying the mortgage or rent; buying groceries, gas and clothing; and taking care of a family. Financial responsibilities can be burdensome if an individual doesn't earn enough to cover the bills, or if she mismanages her finances. Worrying about finances can result in depression, and according to the National Mental Health Association, depression can result in eating disorders. Many people seek comfort in food to soothe uncomfortable feelings. However, it's a temporary fix because the problem doesn't go away unless directly addressed.

Unemployment

• Most people need a livelihood of some kind. Losing a job can have substantial lifestyle ramifications. Additionally, if the individual was attached to his job or had been at the company for some time, he may have issues coping emotionally with the employment loss. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that most people who suffer a drug addiction relapse do so to cope with some type of stress. If the choice of drug is food, the individual may use it to fill the void and manage the stress of losing her job. Unemployment can also lead to boredom, which results in excessive food consumption as a way to occupy time. HelpGuide.org says that when food becomes the primary tool for managing issues, an addiction to food can develop.

Relationship Problems

• There are different types of relationships, such as sibling, parental, platonic, romantic and professional. When an individual develops a deep connection with another human being, he grows attached to that person. Losing that person, whether by death or failed relationship, can lead to sadness and grief. If the individual is undergoing a relationship conflict with a significant other, the effects can be stressful. He may turn to food to deal with the negative emotions the issues are causing.

Remedies

• The Mayo Clinic reports that one of the best ways to overcome emotional eating is to first determine whether the hunger is physical or emotional. Remedies include the use of stress management techniques, such as yoga or meditation; seeking support from family and friends; or seeking therapy.