I don't want to eat, but I do?

[CandyKiren]

I can never stop myself from eating. I do it without even thinking. I always eat when I am not hungry, and I'm almost never hungry. I've tried to watch what I eat (I guess a diet of some sort?) but nothing ever works and I fall back into old habits. What should I do??:(

[screamtobeheard]

If you perceive this as a problem, I think you should talk to a medical professional about this. We aren't doctors, so we can't diagnose you, but I do think you should talk to one.

[Syvelocin]

I'd try to observe yourself. Figure out the root of the compulsive eating. Do you do it out of boredom, stress, depression? Figuring this out can help you cure the problem. I'd probably guess, by how you described it, that it's boredom eating, though it could be any other emotion that is causing it, but that's my best guess. Combating boredom eating could include getting yourself into hobbies. Anything to keep you busy. Video games, an instrument if you can play one, crafts, sports, something involved. Watching TV for instance will just help mindless eating. If you keep yourself engaged most of the time, so you're not bored, it should help at least a little.

If it isn't boredom though and is another emotion like the ones I mentioned, stressed, sad, upset, the best you can do is avoid your triggers (maybe bad arguements with family, taking care of your mental health, etc.) and then learn to choose a different coping mechanism in place of compulsive eating. These can be anything I listed before like hobbies, or you could also look into coping mechanisms recovering self-harmers use instead to release emotions of anger and depression, like taking a nice warm bath, taking a walk, screaming or hitting a pillow, etc.