Emotions and Eating: Suppress them both?

Here is a note from Katie that I thought you might like:

So, out of the ashes comes more insight... I don't know how to cope or deal with negative emotions - I hate them, I am extremely uncomfortable with them, I simply do not know what to do with them.

I learned at an early age not to express my emotions - I hardly ever saw either of my parents expressing emotion to them or others.

I learned to pent up my anger and sadness - for the most part I was a loner during school - I preferred to be alone... all of the photographs of me during holidays I am alone, melancholy and moody... it is the fabric of who I am... When confronted with really uncomfortable feelings like anger, intense sadness, I don't know what to do.

Obviously at an early age I learned to take comfort with food. I don't know when that began, but it too has been part of my entire life.

My fear is that if I don't understand how to sit with my feelings, that I will seek out other unhealthy behaviors (drinking comes to mind) to soothe what I feel - because what I FEEL is incredibly intense and uncomfortable.

Blow outs with family members make me keenly aware of this problem - of course people close to us are those who will push the buttons that they know well...

Have you ever suppressed emotions only to increase eating? Of course you have, who hasn't? Feel free to share your stories with us. Writing will help you heel and help others understand that they are not alone.