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binge/emotional eating

How to stop this cycle of exam stress = emotional eat = feel worse = deprive = binge eat = more stress/depressed = lose sleep = weight gain. Happens summer every exam season. Sick and tired of it.. after the exams i work hard to get back in shape and improve my health, only for it all to repeat again the next year. It's either health or education..on the verge of giving up both and just turning into a hermit....
Original post by Anonymous
How to stop this cycle of exam stress = emotional eat = feel worse = deprive = binge eat = more stress/depressed = lose sleep = weight gain. Happens summer every exam season. Sick and tired of it.. after the exams i work hard to get back in shape and improve my health, only for it all to repeat again the next year. It's either health or education..on the verge of giving up both and just turning into a hermit....



BEAT Youthline: 0808 801 0711
Helplines are open 365 days a year: 4pm-10pm
https://www.b-eat.co.uk/about-eating-disorders
Theres plenty of guidance and information on binge eating on the site. I'd address it after the exams.

I always took the view exams require me to be in good shape at least mentally. that means reasonable nutrition to give my body and brain the nutrients it needs. Also good sleep.I just accepted that was as important as certain revision, so I did it. Doing otherwise is an act of self sabotage.

Stress control, nutrition, sleep, social life all have their part to play.
You can start eating reasonably now, plus trying for c8 hours sleep plus trying to spend 30-60 mins relaxing.
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by 999tigger
BEAT Youthline: 0808 801 0711
Helplines are open 365 days a year: 4pm-10pm
https://www.b-eat.co.uk/about-eating-disorders
Theres plenty of guidance and information on binge eating on the site. I'd address it after the exams.

I always took the view exams require me to be in good shape at least mentally. that means reasonable nutrition to give my body and brain the nutrients it needs. Also good sleep.I just accepted that was as important as certain revision, so I did it. Doing otherwise is an act of self sabotage.

Stress control, nutrition, sleep, social life all have their part to play.
You can start eating reasonably now, plus trying for c8 hours sleep plus trying to spend 30-60 mins relaxing.


Thanks. It just seems so out of control. No matter how much I've tried to prepare and organise myself to avoid going through the phase every year..when the time comes its all a little bit of a blur. By the end of exams, i am just left to deal with the damage to my health.

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Original post by butfirst_coffee
Thanks. It just seems so out of control. No matter how much I've tried to prepare and organise myself to avoid going through the phase every year..when the time comes its all a little bit of a blur. By the end of exams, i am just left to deal with the damage to my health.

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If you talk to Beat or your GP then they cam identify the risks. I'm not a fan of barfing your food up, so if its just a case of over eating, then I wouldnt worry.

I think you overstate the damage to your health.

Talk to your GP and see if you need any medication (beta blockers etc) or therapy such as CBT.

Start getting an exam routine, whereby you can exercise most days, stress/ classes or home workouts can let you socialise but also work off nervous energy. Fitness blender if you cant. Meditation and yoga are good for stress relief as well.

Eat and sleep properly. Both will reduce stress. If you eat complex carbs and lean proteins then you will have slow energy release , fewer spikes and feel less hungry.

Move the binge food away.

Start your routine and revision early this will remove the burden and have you less stressed.


Dont isolate yourself so do some sharing , skype revision etc so you get to bounce off other people.

If you put all these things together then it should really take the edge off you going into a cycle and getting stressed. You will seem more in control. If you exercise before he season starts, then you could be 6lbs under and you can have a bit of leeway during exams. I always allow for extra as its a bit of comfort eating/ reward for revision, which find ok.
Virtually everyone stresses in exams, you just need to take the edge off, control it more and you will get through.
Original post by 999tigger
If you talk to Beat or your GP then they cam identify the risks. I'm not a fan of barfing your food up, so if its just a case of over eating, then I wouldnt worry.

I think you overstate the damage to your health.

Talk to your GP and see if you need any medication (beta blockers etc) or therapy such as CBT.

Start getting an exam routine, whereby you can exercise most days, stress/ classes or home workouts can let you socialise but also work off nervous energy. Fitness blender if you cant. Meditation and yoga are good for stress relief as well.

Eat and sleep properly. Both will reduce stress. If you eat complex carbs and lean proteins then you will have slow energy release , fewer spikes and feel less hungry.

Move the binge food away.

Start your routine and revision early this will remove the burden and have you less stressed.


Dont isolate yourself so do some sharing , skype revision etc so you get to bounce off other people.

If you put all these things together then it should really take the edge off you going into a cycle and getting stressed. You will seem more in control. If you exercise before he season starts, then you could be 6lbs under and you can have a bit of leeway during exams. I always allow for extra as its a bit of comfort eating/ reward for revision, which find ok.
Virtually everyone stresses in exams, you just need to take the edge off, control it more and you will get through.


Creating a Leeway beforehand seems like a good idea since Its no problem for me to maintain healthy habits outside of this phase. Thanks alot for the thorough suggestions.

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