I like starting my thoughts with questions, as they bring more questions, eventually leading to “big” answers.
What does the term “emotional hunger” mean to me? I would say it is a way to avoid my feelings through the false relief that food offers me during difficult moments.
Does this sound simple or familiar? It hardly is. It is a complicated matter suggesting a disturbed relationship with food and the human body, manifesting in the form of binge eating episodes.
How could this help in a therapeutic team with therapist Mrs. Daniilidou and nutritionist Mr. Zoumbaneas? As it turned out, with the best and most effective way. Together with sharing and interacting with other individuals who have similar experiences.
My first meeting caused intense emotions inside me. I felt great surprise, as it was the first time, I had found myself in a group whose members became my mirror and shared with me a personal matter like this. It was like hearing my own voice through their words. Each of the members had come there bearing their own experiences, traumas and demands, but also with a common goal. To treat emotional hunger through self-care.
Learning how to properly take care of myself means that I love and accept my body regardless of weight. I learn how listen to my needs and at the same time cater to them. It is easy to write, but not so easy to apply the written words in my daily life. We discussed about this with therapist Ν. Daniilidou followed by some assignments aimed to aid self-observation.
Then we identified impulsive behaviors during food consumption and applied certain techniques to manage them.
We developed certain motives for weight loss and defined our goals as well as the obstacles that might keep us form realizing them.
We talked about anger, guilts, and assertation, and how they can also act as pieces of the puzzle.
It is worth mentioning that an individual dealing with a disturbed relationship with food needs support from two health professionals – a nutritionist and a therapist.
Evangelos Zoumbaneas’ role was paramount. The knowledge I gained regarding food, sleeping food supplements, the benefits of exercising, and generally the biochemistry of the human body, helped me understand my body’s daily needs as well as the ways in which I can take care of it. We took many useful advice which will accompany my self-care for a lifetime.
I have got valuable information that I can now use in my daily life. Basic instructions and recipes for a complete and balanced diet were but some of it. Additionally, the book “Thin Positive” that completed my knowledge, as it helped me discover more secrets of controlling hunger.
I believe that the healer must inspire trust and be encouraging. I would say that E. Zoumbaneas and N. Daniilidou approached each of us in their empathetic and supportive character with the common goal of helping us get over our binge eating. For me, this resulted in my feeling of being in a safe environment, where I was able to share very personal issues, but also ger the help I needed.
I was given all necessary knowledge about how to take care of myself both physically and mentally. Ever the first, small habits I established carved my path towards change. One that was more meaningful, not limited merely to weight loss, but a fundamental change in my way of life, my relationship with my body and food.
It was not a seminar, and I cannot either say that my whole life changed with 12 sessions. However, I can say with certainty that it was a great healing experience that showed me how to take the first steps towards a better life.
In the group’s second cycle we will move on to body image. We will get deeper and explore most difficult areas, as we will examine how our body image can affect many aspects of our lives, especially our relationships with others.
I am looking forward for the second lesson cycle to begin.
Kelly, Private Employee