I don't know if it is suicide as much as it is an addiction. At least, these are the first thoughts out of my brain. I know I've had food addiction most of my life until 6 weeks ago. It took a brave doctor to sit me down and have a loving compassionate talk about what I was doing. But she turned it all around by telling me it's a new year, it's time to get healthy, etc. I really need to give this question more thought. I will keep you in my thoughts.

I don't think it's suicide I think you are like me trying to fill a void in your life. I also think that it turns into an addiction then turns into a cycle. Hugs Denise

I agree entirely. i hate to be bleak, but I feel its true. Anything self-distructive (over-eating, smoking, drug abuse) is indeed long-term suicide.

A new slant on this, that I am seeing develop in my own situation and a friends, is our life situations. I am stuck in a life that I am not happy in. Yes the grass looks much greener over the fence. Thing is, I doubt it really is. I cannot leave my current situation, and it is killing me to stay in this situation (where I live at the moment). I think being, or feeling stuck, trapped, has a lot to do with my depression, as with my friend. Trapped with no escape possible. So I have to some how make my life, get a life, here where I am. That actually lifts me a little, but I don't know what I am going to do, what I am going to grab onto to lift me out of this hole. But I am going to look hard now for a hobby or a job or something to help me live again, right here where I am. Don't know if this is the answer. Like they say "you either get on with living or get on with dying." I am going to have to take some risks.

Keep fighting it, Dic. I think the more we fight against something, the stronger we get. We may grow weary in the battle ~ that's when we need to step back and figure out a plan of attack which it sounds like you are doing! Good job.

I know exactly what you're saying! How many, many times I've thought that this is just that, suicide. Don't feel alone. You can make the best of what you have in life or reach out and get what you want and need. For me, it's friends who understand what this is about. Here, on this site, there ARE friends who understand, will listen and who will give feedback. So, keep posting, pour out your feelings, we'll listen and may be able to make your day a little brighter.

I think it helps to get these thoughts out and get others perspectives. Addictions of any kind can be destructive. Depression magnifies negative thoughts and can bring you down to the bottom of the downward spiral. You asked important questions of yourself - what is it that you have been battling against all these years? What has beaten you? Be totally honest even if it really hurts because after you get at the really deep hurt you can begin the healing. It takes time and patience. You are not alone.

I think you could look at it that way. Any self-destructive behavior could lead to one's death.

I suffer from depression and am an emotional eater myself. For me when my nerves are frazzled I eat for comfort, it's good, it's a reward when I've had a rotten day at work. I know these things and I have had control and lost weight but have packed it back on. For me it is directly related to my mental state.

May I ask ...have you tried meds for the depression?

Thank you all for your comments and support. How did I ever survive without this site?? Breea,you asked,"May I ask ...have you tried meds for the depression?" Yes, I take Zoloft, and really need it. I just had a very bad bout, big downfall because I was only taking half my dose and didn't realise it, so I am hooked, so to speak. I am off to a shrink in a couple of weeks too, as I don't intend to live the rest of my days like this, no way. I'll get to the bottom of it. If I have to be on meds for the rest of my life, not biggie. But if I can shake them and deal with whatever, all the better.
Thanks again for your comments.

Morning!
OK, I'm going to risk throwing my two cents in here. I know full well some will agree while others will disagree, but here goes. Suicide? Definately not.. the very reason is simple, your here on a self help page and I've seen you many times reach out to help others. That doesnt sound like some one TRYING to kill themself. It sounds like someone that understands and wants to reach out to people in need. That said, if you really wanted to die, why pick something so slow and painful? Why not drink your self to death? I could mention some really fun ways, but I dont think thats appropriate. No my friend your depressed, disgusted, and lots more, but not really suicidal. Now, since we have chosen to live, why not live as best we can? Lots of people here say addiction. The best plan with the most success for addiction has to be the AA 12 step program. Why not start there? The steps are the same for any addiction. The thing is, do SOME THING. Nothing causes depression, and depession says who cares, go ahead and eat. It wont be easy, but it can be done. I would also talk to some one and see if you can pin point the real root of your depression. You mentioned where you live, job, home situation, and maybe there is more. You have to find whats really eating you before you can stop eating because of it. OK, thats my two cents. I may be full of it, but I dont think you want to die, and I certainly dont want you to. So we are here for you, anything we can do to help. And I am here... if you need a friend I never have too many, glad to count you as one. I'm available to talk any time.

I believe one can use overeating as a way to suicide. My mother-in-law is currently doing just that. After losing a spouse of over 50+ years, leaving her in debt she can never repay, she lost his pension, she will probably lose her home. The family has looked at every angle imaginable for her situation with no way out for her. We all think she has decided to eat herself to death. She cannot breath at this point and the doctors have told her she needs to lose or die and she tells us she does not care. That to me is suicide by eating.

I absolutely think it's suicide -- yes. Legal suicide. It's completely feasible to eat one's self to death. And what's worse is that on top of that, we're hated for it -- reviled throughout the entire process. So many other addicts have sympathy or fans who are cheering them on. Being overweight and struggling with food addiction still ain't pretty and it still isn't popular. Look at celebrities -- they drink and drug, and that's fine. We feel for them. Yet how much compassion was thrown Kirstie Alley's way? Zero until she made a public spectacle out of herself in an attempt to lose the weight. Stuffing yourself full of harmful substances is like having a small death wish, in my opinion. We know it's not good for us at this point, of course. Hell, can we turn on Oprah without seeing an episode where Dr. Oz is chiding some poor bastard about their weight? Hardly. It's everywhere. So it's not like we don't know better. So why do people continue with addictions, besides the fact that they're, well, addicted? Probably because a part of them has resigned themselves to that fate that addiction must bring; they've resigned themselves to the quality of life addiction brings. I feel that way quite a bit, myself. If you drink or smoke or drug, people see it as you destroying yourself. There are darling and convenient programs in place -- complete with compassion -- that concerns cessation. But eating yourself to death? Perfectly legal. Easy to do -- crappy food is on every corner. I feel for you, kid. I get it. Thing I wanna know is: when does everyone else stop judging and being disgusted and get it, too?

Hey thanks Secret. You get it, as most of you do. You said, "they've resigned themselves" and that's it for me, I have "resigned" from that job of being, looking, feeling healthy. In fact, when I write that, I know I don't need that job anymore, I am married, and that position does not require me to be, look, feel thin. I am loved anyway. No, it's more than that, I have resigned from almost all of life as I once knew it, my profession, my leisure activity, my religion, hell I've almost resigned from my family. I am resigning more and more because I have never felt valued or been rewarded for what I have done for others. So I am rewarding myself, giving myself a vacation that is killing me. And of course, who gives a shit? Well, there aer a few, and I have some hope. But not the people I want to care. What is that about? What makes them so damned important, their valueing me and rewarding me, even noticing me? I feel like a child seeking "dad's" approval, instead of being an adult with these people. I need a better way to reward myself, and to seek approval from healthier people. No any??

No, I need to acknoledge that my own approval is enough, and just change the reward system. Hmmmm Is my own approval enough? I think we all need an "adults" approval. I am not an island. I need the approval of a community, to find a healthy community to belong to. And I need to ask that community for healthy rewards that I need and deserve. I need to be fed, loved, considered.