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Posts Tagged ‘Compulsive Overeating’

You may overdo on potato chips or tortilla chips now and again, but would you consider yourself to be a food addict? The answer is important, since it could be the key to determining what path of action you need to take in order to drop weight. Numerous medical experts state that food obsession is just as significant as nicotine or cocaine addiction—and can potentially be just as deadly.

When you suffer from food obsession, you have an overwhelming desire for a special food. The desire is so strong, in actual fact, that if you are not capable to consume that food, you suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and depression. Food addicts desire the comfort that a particular food gives them. They also may engage in overdo eating. Their cravings for food may be both physical and psychological.

It should be pointed out that there are various varieties of food addiction. As, there is compulsive overeating, where an person goes on eating binges that can last a number of days. The addict may sometimes lose weight, but tends to gain it back again. Symptoms include eating fast, compulsively eating alone, and eating when there is no indication of hunger.

Still another type of addiction is bulimia, in which an person overeats, then purges either by vomiting or by taking laxatives. Signs of this condition include isolating oneself when eating, trying to consume huge portions of food fast, and being preoccupied with one’s weight.

Food obsession can also come in the form of anorexia, where an person attempts to starve oneself in order to attain an unrealistic weight. Anorexics tend to be 15 percent below regular body weight and have a phobia about being fat. They have difficulty eating with other people and appear to be fanatical with weight. They may engage in ritualistic behavior involving food and may suffer from depression.

The good news is that food obsession can be effectively treated. This treatment can come in a range of forms. A food addict may work with a psychotherapist to expand new behavior to deal with food and his or her emotions. The psychotherapist might be able to identify the source of the individual’s worry or anger—the reason behind the individual’s addiction. In the majority of cases, the psychologist will help the person to develop a treatment plan which spells out expectations and goals, both for the short-term and the long-term. In the a good number of serious cases, an individual may have to undergo in-patient treatment at a psychological facility. Treatment often involves helping the individual to return to healthy eating methods, dealing with the principal emotional causes of addiction, and learning effective coping techniques.

Food addicts often follow the doctrine of the same kind of 12-step program used by alcoholics. This involves admitting their helplessness over food, their belief that they could be restored to sanity, and an admission of their faults and failings. In addition, food addicts often draw strength from support groups made up of people who have similar difficulties dealing with food. Just knowing that there are other people who face the same challenges can be incredibly therapeutic.

It is doubtful nowadays whether food obsession is a genetically-based disease. Surely, however, there is evidence of eating patterns being passed down from one generation to the next. In fact, many food addicts may only seek help after they have determined that their illness could adversely affect their children.

It is totally possible that a food obsession can never be cured, that it can only be treated. In other words, the recovery period for the obsession can last a lifetime. However, one should never lose hope of beating a food addiction. With patience and with time, individual addicts can learn the behavioral skills which will allow them to keep their weight under control. Certainly, there will be times when persons will be tempted to indulge in sweets or excessive carbohydrates. However, knowing the pain that they will undergo if they continue their harmful eating habits could be just the motivation they need to stay the course.

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