How to Combat Food Addiction?

KristyMichelle92

Hi there, I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and a rare eating disorder where I overeat to make myself overweight and unattractive to potential sexual predators. Now that I have that knowledge, I'm no longer having the problem of, halfway through a diet, thinking to myself "I need to stay this weight so that strange men aren't interested in anything other than friendship." Now I'm having problems resisting temptation and eating only the amount that I need. I eat way too much and just cannot stop. I'll try to resist a temptation then the thought of the food stays on my mind and gets worse and worse until I give in. I have been overweight since I was about 12 and I just want to know what it feels like to not be so overweight for once in my life...

kommodevaran

Maybe it's not food addiction, maybe it's that food is everywhere and easy to eat and temptation is hard to resist. But of course you can resist, of course you can stop.

Seffell

Do you live alone or with other people? Is it possible to not buy any tempting foods (treats etc) for a while and only buy things which you think are less likely to trigger you?

What if you tell yourself that you can have that food that you have on your mind, but just not today? What I'm doing at the moment is eating at a deficit for a week and then eating at maintanance for a week (You still need to carefully weigh and log during that maintanamce week). This way I can still have the foods that I crave but just not this week.

Everyone likes treats. We just don't have them everyday and every meal because they wouldn't be treats anymore.

Also make sure you are aiming for a small deficit. This way you can incorporate more of the foods you want to eat and still lose weight.

I can't give any advice with relation to your eating disorder. I hope you're geting good advice from your treatment team/doctor.

cmriverside

Are you in therapy? You don't have to answer that, of course but I found that as I worked through my issues and practiced mindful attention to what I was thinking I could change the obsessive thoughts. The thoughts can't make you eat - they are just thoughts that have become well worn pathways. The way I break eating habits is to stop listening to every thought that comes in that says, "eat."

I tell myself, "Yeah, I know I would like to eat. I don't need any more food and that is just a non-productive thought." Then I go do something - anything - like put things away, clean the toilet, iron a blouse, read a magazine, walk around the block, anything other than eat.

Set meal times (or pre-planned meals) is helpful too.

RonyMack

Feeling one has food addictions is a very subjective thing. And although it isn't the same as narcotic or nicotine addiction, emotional addiction to food does exist. Assuming the person who diagnosed your PTSD is a professional, you should seek out them or other professionals for ways of dealing with your addictions. Message boards don't usually offer a lot of professional advice, only opinions. Good luck!

nvmomketo

I find that some foods, mainly refined and processed carbs, lead to overeating for me. Once I get started I feel hungry and want more. I find that if I avoid those foods, within a few days my cravings for those foods is greatly reduced and my hunger drops.

I try to treat my problem foods like an addiction and avoid them. Ymmv

Other people find they do best incorporating a small amount of those foods in their diet frequently so they don't feel deprived. Ymmv. For me, eating small amounts leads to feeling deprived and wanting more whereas avoiding the food does not. You may have to experiment and find out what suits you best.

VUA21

PTSD & addiction: go to a psychologist. Those are psychological problems than need to be dealt with by a professional.

collectingblues

You need a trauma/eating disorder specialist.

fitoverfortymom

Definitely work with an ED treatment specialist.

elisa123gal

We all support you, and glad you can come here so you don't feel alone. But, your real help will come from a professional who has dealt with this problem.

SCoil123

KristyMichelle92 wrote: »

Hi there, I have recently been diagnosed with PTSD and a rare eating disorder where I overeat to make myself overweight and unattractive to potential sexual predators. Now that I have that knowledge, I'm no longer having the problem of, halfway through a diet, thinking to myself "I need to stay this weight so that strange men aren't interested in anything other than friendship." Now I'm having problems resisting temptation and eating only the amount that I need. I eat way too much and just cannot stop. I'll try to resist a temptation then the thought of the food stays on my mind and gets worse and worse until I give in. I have been overweight since I was about 12 and I just want to know what it feels like to not be so overweight for once in my life...

My aunt was an assault survivor and struggled with the same disorder. She developed diabetes and passed in her 50s after having a second stroke.

I’m also a survivor and in recovery for bulimia.

So many others with eating disorders I’ve connected with over the years are also survivors with diagnosed PTSD. You’re not alone.

For me I needed a few things to start my recovery journey
1. Therapy for the PTSD
2. I worked the 12 steps through EDA and found people who also struggled with eating disorders to build a support group of people who understood
3. Found activities that I really enjoy doing that are physical. For me this really helped start the healing process of my relationship with my body. I fell in love with boxing and weight lifting feeling strong and have recently started trail running again after years

Please feel free to add me and message anytime

hroderick

Good martial arts instruction will help mentally, spiritually, and physically.