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Why is it sometimes so hard to control your appetite, either eating too much or not eating at all?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 09/14/2020 at 6:26pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jill Kapil, PsyD

Psychologist

I have over 9 years of clinical experience, specialize in anxiety, and am passionate about my work. My approach is collaborative, empathic, supportive, and goal-oriented.

Top Rated Answers
AlwaysUpFromHere
December 12th, 2014 12:43pm
In my experience, eating is used for everything but what it's supposed to be: energy. Food is used for mending a broken heart, curing boredom, filling a void in your life. It's also used for control. So if you use restricting as a way to gain control in your life and it becomes too much, soon you'll have to eat and without that control, you just can't stop at that point. It's a viscous circle of binge/restrict and it's dangerous.
KendallNichole
December 12th, 2014 3:35am
I've noticed that a lot of the time it could be due to how you're feeling. There could be multiple reasons why you either eat too much or too little, and I think depression has a big play into that, as well as just being ill. It'd be best to talk to a doctor or nutritionist if you're interested in learning how to control your appetite, and why that happens.
Anonymous
December 18th, 2014 8:01pm
It's both psychological and biological. In your head, you may be thinking "I want to have some soda and chips" but that your body is really craving is completely different. By keeping track of what you've eaten and how you felt, you can understand where your craving is coming from. Eating when you're hungry rather than when you're bored can help with this problem. This is quite normal and with both practice and time can be managed.
RalphBG
December 13th, 2014 2:37pm
There can be many reasons. It could be from anxiety, stress, traumatic events, thinking you're fat, or anything that is negative in your life. The first thing you need to do Is find out what the root cause is, in other words find out why you are over eating or not eating. Then try to address the event, and make it better. Then talk about it with people, as under eating or over eating can be very dangerous, life threatening, and you can get help for it. Good luck:)
PaleButterfly
December 13th, 2014 8:00am
Scientifically speaking, when you feel hungry and you eat something it will take your brain over 20 minutes to register the fact that you are full and by then you have already finished the whole plate, so that can explain the eating too much dilemma. As for the eating too little, there are times when people just don't feel hungry due to having a lot of liquids before consuming a meal. And no one can control their appetite. There are studies that the appetite of a person is linked to the emotions that they feel or the mood they are in and controlling emotions is pretty hard.
CelestialMoons
December 22nd, 2014 4:30am
Sometimes, it's about the foods we are eating and the stress we are under. Also, people with certain mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar mania suffer from "up-and-down" appetite. If you are concerned, speak with your doctor.
CERISHEEHAN
December 30th, 2014 3:54pm
It is hard to control your appetite because sometimes eating can make you feel better and the same goes with not eating. It can sometimes make you feel like you are better whilst actually harming yourslef.
Dinceta
December 11th, 2014 4:19pm
It depends if you are really willing to eat or not. Because sometimes, you can get too bored or excited and you end up eating everything.
Anonymous
December 11th, 2014 5:04pm
I have learned from a lot of experience that mainly sometimes we are in fact thirsty, not hungry! therefore we are prone to mistaking that for hunger and overeating. In terms of undereating, sometimes you may not realize that youre hungry until you feel hunger pangs, and so you proceed to eat. However if you eat small amounts throughout the day you will have an effective balance!
Anonymous
May 17th, 2015 1:19am
Your emotional help. Stressed? Thats usually a biggy in whether people overeat or undereat. Next time you feel stressed or upset or angry- go for a run, read a book instead of skewering your appetite. And once it becomes habit and routine.. its kind of tough to change.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2015 6:17pm
This is a sign of anxiety or depression. You better consult a doctor or a counsellor who will help you get out of this before it is too late.
StillBlooming01
June 20th, 2017 1:30am
Your appetite will vary. For example, when it's really hot outside people tend to lose their appetite. Or when people get stressed, they can tend to overeat, or have no appetite at all. Controlling your appetite isn't alway s an easy thing to do. You could ask help from a dietist to make a schedule together of what you will eat in a day. Scheduling the right amount of calories for you. Not too much, not too little. It is important to take care of yourself and your body, so if you really can't control your appetite and it has been affecting your life in negative ways, then I suggest you seek proffesional help to help you make the right steps.
0SnowSound0
September 14th, 2020 6:26pm
That depends in daily stressors or triggers... Sometimes we Stress-Eat to get a sense of relief or stop eating when we feel guilt after eating.. which makes it difficult to hold in a balanced appetite.. There are many sources Stress; Like Work, School, Collage ~etc~ This stress may push us into unhealthy Eating-Habits.. After a hard day at work for example you may have the tendecy to Stress-Eat which in return.. reduces your Stress / Nervousness.. And if the you used to this unhealthy Coping-Methods /-Mechanism (AKA Stress-Eating.) It will get more difficult to get over it.. Same goes when you eat less.. it relivieves your overwhelming emotions.. but in exchange your health. It can be difficult to stop these Habits but not impossible."♡"