So when a person who grew up lacking these skills experiences intense emotional pain, she lacks the tools to talk about it or to ask for support. It is at this point that something very significant happens. The person begins to focus upon her body or food, looking outside rather than inside for the source and solution to the emotional pain. Once this starts, the person travels one of two paths. Following the first path, she begins to eat and finds food a source of comfort and nurturing.
Food is consistent, reliable, and always there.
It is something to look forward to coming home to at the end of the day as well as something to which to turn to when alone and scared. The person finds that when she eats, the pain does not hurt quite so much. This person is vulnerable to becoming overweight or obese due to compulsive eating. Following the second path, the person begins to restrict food intake or to binge and purge and starts to lose weight. In a world that is very painful, suddenly there is something that feels good, brings positive attention, and is within her control.