I found this book provided practical advice for understanding the emotional content of eating and for learning to deal with these feelings more directly. It helps you to define your personal eating patterns and provides guidance in changing those patterns. Dr. Abramson does not dictate what you must do but aids you in taking control for yourself. It was pivotal to my recovery from emotional eating.

This book serves as a good introduction to making to reader understand the basic mechanisms of common eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating, although not much detail is given for each disorder. It focuses on how an emotional eater should identify her/his emotions before deciding to eat, and how to deal with the emotions. Although this book alone would probably not be of great help for people who are seriously stricken with eating disorders, it gives the reader an incentive to seek further help and to avoid self-blame and self-abuse.

I really liked this book-I gave it 5 stars. I don't have an eating disorder, but I have been a yo-yo dieter for more than 20 years. After reading Emotional Eating, I think I've figured out why I have had some success dieting but then get frustrated and give up. I've tried a few of the ideas in the book, and so far, I like the results. I recommend it highly to anyone who is concerned about their weight and might be using food to deal with their emotions.