Anxious Eating Pattern
About the Anxious Eating Pattern
An Anxious Eating Pattern is essentially a method of self-soothing. People with this pattern are often highly successful, but tense and prone to feelings of stress and anxiety. To mitigate these uncomfortable feelings they may engage in pleasure-seeking behaviors, including eating. The dopamine hit from a snack or a bite of food offers relief from their stress, though temporarily.
For people with an Anxious Eating Pattern, eating is a way to feel better rather than a response to hunger. If they experience stress and anxiety often, then they will find themselves eating more often, and this can lead to weight gain. This pattern is the most common of the five.
What does an Anxious Eating Pattern look like?
Trouble sleeping
Feeling stressed and anxious
Finishing food quickly
Eating more when experiencing uncomfortable feelings
Eating while standing up or at the fridge
The habit
The primary challenge for people with an Anxious Eating Pattern is to address their underlying stress and anxiety. It’s not about what they're eating, but why they're eating, and stress management can help.
Dr. Jessica Recommends:
People with an Anxious Eating Pattern tend to use food to self-soothe. They are prone to anxiety, worry, and stress, and they eat to quiet these feelings. While eating may offer a quick hit of dopamine that makes them feel better temporarily, it does not address the root cause of the anxiety and stress.
Relaxation exercises like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation can teach them more effective ways to manage anxiety and stress in the moment and improve their overall sense of calm. Problem-solving skills can help to identify what drives their anxiety, stress, and worry and how to best address those issues.