I don't believe the answer is necessairily years of psychotherapy.I think you can easily look at how you cope with life. If you run for food instead of stick up for yourself, then you need to learn how to take care of you.If you stampede the grocery section after a job interview, time to get some self-esteem and know that you did the best you could do (with preparation, etc.) and no matter what, the outcome will be ok.You get it?What you wrote I don't totally buy all of it. I'll tell you why...I never was an emotional eater until I moved to a horrid little town. There I couldn't get work, people were nosy and not friendly and the weather was the worst. Added to that, I was dealing for a while with 2 major illnesses. Now, food was a nice comfort sometimes and I recognized it as such. I made a big change in my life; prepared to move out of that horrible place and never look back! It took a great deal of effort, but you know what? I lost the weight I gained quickly, feel happy, am healthier and so happy I took the steps to change what was wrong in my life.So, look honestly at your life, make a list of what needs to change and slowly take control!No more excuses.