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Question:  I'm hoping you will be able to give me some advice.  I am 42 and live alone.  My children have left home and my husband and I seperated nearly three years ago.  I have developed a habit of waking up in the middle of the night, going to the kitchen and bringing food back to bed.  In the morning I don't normally remember what happened but the empty packets and wrappers make it pretty obvious.  Sometimes I am shocked by how much I consumed.  I know this is not healthy but am at a loss to know how to stop.  I'm not sure if this is an eating disorder or a symptom of something else.  I've heard of people talking and walking in their sleep but no-one I know eats in their sleep.  Julie

Answer:  Eating in the middle of the night in the manner you describe does constitute a form of eating disorder, which is usually a symptom of an underlying issue. Often it is anxiety that wakes people in the middle of the night and eating may be a way of soothing yourself.  If you're concerned about it, talking with a counsellor can help you identity what's driving your nighttime eating and address the issue in healthier ways.

Answer provided by:  Gemma Summers