PART 6: Break through emotional Eating

Signs & Symptoms

•  Feeling sad, hopeless, helpless, and/or worthless

•  Fatigue

•  Loss of interest in daily activities, including sex

•  Change in eating and sleeping patterns

•  Anger, anxiety, or irritability

•  Having a hard time concentrating or making decisions

•  Thoughts of suicide or death

Strategy

•  Accept thoughts as they are. Focus on your response, rather than trying to shoo away the emotion.

•  Be with and call relatives and friends who lift your morale and make you laugh.

•  Do something to help someone else.

•  Keep up with your regular exercise.

•  Do something different. Walk or drive to someplace new.

•  Challenge yourself with a new project. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it should be enjoyable.

•  Watch a funny TV show or movie.

•  Reflect on your expectations and make adjustments –  it takes a long time to change habits and feel the new habits are “normal.”

•  Change your clothes. Take a shower. Do small self-care activities.

If you feel depressed for two weeks or longer, see a doctor.

For a screening test for depression, contact:

Mental Health America

800-969-6642

www.mhanational.org