Food Addiction
What is Food Addiction?
Food addiction is a disorder characterized by preoccupation with food, the availability of food and the anticipation of pleasure from the ingestion of food. Food addiction involves the repetitive consumption of food against the individual’s better judgment resulting in loss of control and preoccupation or the restriction of food and preoccupation with body weight and image. Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by intense fear of gaining weight. Bulimia Nervosa is described as binge eating and compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain. Compulsive Overeaters use food inappropriately and eventually become addicted to it and lose control over the amount of food they eat.
What are warning signs for anorexia nervosa?
- Excessive weighing and measuring of body parts
- Preoccupation with body shape and weight
- Ritualistic eating habits
- Refusing to eat in front of others
- Low self-esteem linked to weight
Effects of anorexia nervosa?
Physical implication of Anorexia Nervosa may include disruption of the menstrual cycle, signs of starvation, thinning of hair or hair loss, bloated feeling, yellowish palms/soles of feet, dry, pasty skin. Starvation experienced by persons with Anorexia Nervosa can cause damage to vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and brain. Additional complications may include drop in pulse rate and blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms or heart failure. Nutritional deprivation may also lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis, decreased brain volume, death by suicide or complications of the malnutrition.
Warning signs of Bulimia Nervosa?
- Binge eating in secret followed by induced vomiting
- Misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or fasting
- Hoarding food
- Sore throats, abdominal pain
- Depressed mood and loss of sexual interest
Effects of Bulimia Nervosa
Physical implication of Bulimia Nervosa may include loss of dental enamel, increase of cavities, swollen saliva glands, calluses, scars on hands (from self induced vomiting), irregular menstrual cycle, dependency on laxatives for bowel movements, fluid and electrolyte disturbance. Individuals with Bulimia Nervosa, even though of normal weight, can severely damage their bodies by frequent binging and purging. Malnutrition, like Anorexia Nervosa, may lead to cardiac complications, heart failure, stomach rupture, or sudden death.
Warning signs of Bulimia Nervosa?
- Binge eating in secret followed by induced vomiting
- Misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or fasting
- Hoarding food
- Sore throats, abdominal pain
- Depressed mood and loss of sexual interest
Warning signs of compulsive overeating?
Overeaters demonstrate uncontrollable binge eating without extreme weight control and see that behavior as normal. Overeaters present with moderate to severe obesity, with an average binge eater being 60% overweight. Binge-eating episodes consist of carbohydrates and junk food with most binges done in scheduled secrecy.
Do you have a food addiction?
If you answer YES to 4 or more of the following questions, it could indicate a problem:
- Do you eat when you're disappointed, tense, or anxious?
- Do you hide food or eat in secret?
- Do you eat more than planned?
- Are you ashamed or guilty about your eating?
- Have you tried extreme weight loss methods?
- Do you find yourself preoccupied with food and body image?
How can someone get help?
The first step is to determine if there is a problem. A Certified Addictions Counselor trained specifically in identifying food addiction can effectively perform an assessment to determine if a problem with food exists and recommend a level of treatment. For a free confidential assessment, call the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at (800) 522-3784. An assessment can be completed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome.
Sources: American Psychiatric Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness
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