Recognizing your eating as emotional eating is the first step. What could you do to dissipate the stress? What could you do to reduce it? With eating, it only gives you that momentarily pleasure..and the stress and uncertainty will still be there after you're done with your eating. I know it's easier said than done as I've been through that myself. But the least you could do is to recognize your behavior, and be kind to yourself, understanding that that is the best way you know how to take care of yourself at the moment.

When I binge I usually feel bad after. When I find myself at the fridge, I stop and think of what I will feel like later, and it is no longer worth it. That stops the binge for me.

i would say you were very lucky AND very smart Vertabeary, if you can learn from past experience and stop a binge by thinking of how crappy you will feel. i've never mastered that. i will fully realize how bad i will feel - i will think about it but i just don't care. in fact i sometimes think feeling bad is one of the things i get out of a binge. i sometimes think i want to feel bad about myself.

I understand exactly how you feel.
I wish I could tell you some magical activity that was as satisfying as eating an entire carton of icecream, cookies, and candy.
But, I can't.
You just have to realize that food will not change anything.
It will give you a high for about 20 minutes, then what are you left with? Guilt. Regret. A possible 1 or 2 pounds?
Food is not the key to happiness in life.

So, when you are standing at the fridge, staring aimlesly at your options of indulgement...think to yourself...am I even hungry? Will this make my life better tomorrow?

Just stop and think. That's all you have to do.

If you have second thoughts, you probably shouldn't eat it.
If you don't, and you hear your tummy growling, dig in.

But if you still want some kind of satisfaction, get out of the kitchen. Go to your room, or a safe place, and turn on your favorite song. Or, paint a picture, or write something inpirational. Do something else.

Just remember that anything is possible, and you can overcome this.

I know that feeling of being at at the fridge door before I realise what I am doing - its as if I am watching myself from a distance. It took me a while to do as Vertabeary suggests, stop and think but since being on DS I have learnt to do that. Bingeing WAS my friend, when there was no-one who I thought cared Bingeing was there for me or so I thought! But on DS I have found friends that care and Bingeing has retreated into the background but is still there waiting for me to feel lonely, unloved and uncared for. Right now I am surrounded by people who care for me, here on DS and in my life and its good. Now I just have to lose the weight! Goodgurl all I can suggest is use DS to its fullest, journal, talk to people in this group and other groups, there are fun groups as well that make you feel good - sometimes I think I belong to too many groups but they all help me. Right now I am enjoinging "Daily Positive Thoughts" run by Becky, she is tremendous sending out positive sayings to all her members every day! If you need someone to talk to I am there for you and so is everybody else here. Take care of yourself.