What is food addiction?
People who are addicted to food tend to display many of the characteristics of
addicts and alcoholics. Food addicts develop a physical, mental, emotional
craving, and chemical addiction to food. The characteristics of food addicts can
include:
- Being obsessed and/or preoccupied with food
- Having a lack of self-control when it comes to food
- Having a compulsion about food in which eating results in a cycle of
bingeing despite negative consequences
- Remembering a sense of pleasure and/or comfort with food and being
unable to stop using food to create a sense of pleasure and comfort
- Having a need to eat that results in a physical craving
What are the symptoms of food addiction?
Only the food addict can determine whether there is food addiction. Following
are questions that potential food addicts might ask themselves:
- Have I tried but failed to control my eating?
- Do I find myself hiding food or secretly bingeing?
- Do I have feelings of guilt or remorse after eating?
- Do I eat over emotions?
- Is my weight affecting my way of life?
- How is food addiction treated?
Food addicts also might have symptoms including headaches, insomnia, irritability, mood changes, and depression.
How is food addiction treated?
Several options are available in the treatment of food addiction. These include
consulting a nutritionist, doctor, psychologist, counselor, or eating disorder
specialist. In addition, 12-step groups, such as Overeaters Anonymous (OA), have
meetings in many regions or online. Some tips for avoiding bouts of compulsive
eating include:
- Knowing which situations trigger your cravings and avoiding them if
possible
- Drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day
- Exercising
- Relaxing with deep breathing exercises or meditation
- Trying to distract yourself until the compulsion to eat passes
If you believe that your eating addiction is causing problems in
your life, seek medical assistance immediately.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 5/11/2007...#12250
