Addicted to food, really?

gabbygirl78

:huh:

MatthewLewis81

Since I began logging my meals, I've noticed some of these things myself that I also once thought were ridiculous. For instance, I can be doing just fine on a calorie-deficient diet, and as soon as I grab a couple of cheese crackers, potato chips, or a select few other food items (typically carb heavy), I get almost an insatiable desire for more, More, MORE of whatever it is. I can walk away from it, but it takes way more serious effort than it should.

So I don't know that it's actually addiction (at least not in my case), but there's something triggering a very strong, very immediate reaction in me that *feels* a lot like an outright need.

sobriquet84

I think food addiction is a completely legit illness . . . but I think it generally goes hand in hand with deeper emotional issues. I personally think it's a form of OCD, but that's just me.

And have you watched the show My Strange Addiction? People can be addicted to *anything.* Addiction is basically a way of saying that if you don't have or do something, you feel off or not right or like you're going to die or something like that. It doesn't matter if you won't actually die, it's the sense that you will that makes it an addiciton . . . if that makes sense.

At any rate, people who are addicted to food need to address the underlying issues before they're really going to be able to do anything about it. Treat the illness, not the symptom.

many cases of anorexia nervosa and most, if not all, cases of bulimia nervosa are examples of food addiction. you're right on, it is an obsessive compulsive disorder (though you do still need to take things on a case by case basis, i'm just talking generalities). over eating, binge eating, anorexia, bulimia-- they all are forms of food addiction because food is obsessed over. the reasons for the addiction are varied though. it can be neurological, biological, psychosematic, psychological, all of the above...

if someone truly believes that they have an addiction to food, who is anyone to question that? though severities obviously vary.

maillemaker

So you're saying "food addicts" just don't want to stop eating?I'll buy that.

No, a behavioral addiction isn't when you don't want to stop doing something, it's when you can't even when you want to.

Like someone addicted to gambling doesn't wants to stop gambling but can't stop gambling, or someone addicted to pornography who wants to stop but can't stop using pornography.

Uncontrollable compulsive behavior.

LiminalAscendance

You know, there's a reason that medical and mental health professionals refer to "addiction" in the case of heroin and not in the case of food.

This is incorrect. There most certainly are medical and mental health professionals that refer to food addiction.

Binge eating is now a disorder listed in the DSM-V.

This. Thank you. This is my field.

And it's also "appeal to authority."

maillemaker

I overate because I was an unhealthy SOB, and really did not care about what I was putting in me, and did not give a damn about working out...I thought working out was for "meatheads"...I mean I liked to get a Philly cheesesteak with mozzarella sticks and sometimes I would get a second cheesesteak LOL ...

Was I addicted to the cheese steak, or was it just an unhealthy way of eating, or was I lacking in willpower??? IDK ...which is I find this topic interesting...

OK, but eating without caring about the consequences is an entirely different situation.

Many people do bad things, but they aren't trying to stop doing them, either. They may or may not be addicted.

But if you want to stop and can't, that's when you've got an addiction.

jennybennypenny

I just want to throw in that who cares if they call it an addiction or not? If a person lacks willpower, whoopdedoo. There are some foods I don't eat because I don't trust myself to have the willpower to stop at a healthy amount. Who cares? I didn't say everyone else in the world can't eat that one thing. Just that I am ok not eating it myself.

And I do believe food addiction exists. Whether a person has it *for real* or not isn't your problem. Same with any other thing people may say they have.

LiminalAscendance

I just want to throw in that who cares if they call it an addiction or not? If a person lacks willpower, whoopdedoo. There are some foods I don't eat because I don't trust myself to have the willpower to stop at a healthy amount. Who cares? I didn't say everyone else in the world can't eat that one thing. Just that I am ok not eating it myself.

And I do believe food addiction exists. Whether a person has it *for real* or not isn't your problem. Same with any other thing people may say they have.

Well, it isn't "whoopdedoo" to some people.

If someone "lacks willpower" and allows themselves to become overweight, it may be viewed differently than if they had an "addiction" (and therefore, no control over the consequences). Not to me, but society at large.

IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym

like you, I can not overeat, BUT, that's not the same for everyone. People get addicted to all sorts of things and food is no different than any other addiction. Just because its not yours doesn't make it less real, OP.

maillemaker

I've made it through 6 pages of this recent thread on food addiction, and, based on the last go around on this topic, I've started keeping a picture log of the people who do not believe that food addiction is real.

Here's what I have so far:

http://i.imgur.com/3vYrsJp.jpg

Note I'm not keeping track of people without actual pictures, nor if I can't tell if they are for or against.

It seems so far that without exception everyone who does not believe food addiction is real appears to be presently in pretty good shape.

I don't know what to make of this exactly, but what I have been pondering is that it is entirely possible that these people have never had bad behavioral relationships with food and that is why they are in such good shape. I wonder how many of these people were ever obese.

And there certainly are some currently fit people who believe in food addiction, but there are also plenty of clearly overweight people who believe in it also.

Like I said, I've only made it to page 6 so far, but thus far there have been no fat people who do not believe that food addiction is real. I think that is interesting.

SchroederNJ

Some people can smoke a cigarette every now and then while others become addicted ... kind of the same mindset, no?

I'm definitely a stress eater --- that's probably my weakness --- also have a crazy sweet tooth for candy

bulbadoof

I see an addiction as that thought-consuming 'gotta have it' feeling. It's possible to be psychologically addicted to almost anything, and no amount of willpower can get that wanting, pining, craving feeling out of your head when you are - even if you don't (or can't) get your fix.

maillemaker

Since I began logging my meals, I've noticed some of these things myself that I also once thought were ridiculous. For instance, I can be doing just fine on a calorie-deficient diet, and as soon as I grab a couple of cheese crackers, potato chips, or a select few other food items (typically carb heavy), I get almost an insatiable desire for more, More, MORE of whatever it is. I can walk away from it, but it takes way more serious effort than it should.

So I don't know that it's actually addiction (at least not in my case), but there's something triggering a very strong, very immediate reaction in me that *feels* a lot like an outright need.

This is my situation also.

agdyl

People use the word "addiction" to justify a lack of willpower

That's ridiculous.

I would say I have a sugar/carb addiction - in terms of if I have a little, I want more and feel completely out of control. It's all I can think about - and when I'm trying to eat those things moderation I'm like - okay, I had as much as is reasonable for today. And then I feel like my brain turns into a 2 year old. "is it tomorrow yet?" "Can I have some more now?" "How about now?". All day long.

But I have pretty damn good willpower according to most people. I don't eat the things that trigger me to want to eat out of control (sugar/starchy carbs/bread/etc.), and haven't for the better part of a year. I've lost the weight I wanted to lose and feel great.

Is it humanly possible to eat those things in moderation? Of course - some people do it all the time. Is it possible for me? Not really. I've managed it on occasion, for short periods of time, but I have to be a singularly obsessed person, absolutely focused on calories and that feels like it takes up all my mental energy. And quite honestly, I'm not a fun person to be around when I tried that. If I don't eat added sugar/white bread/etc. at all? Once it's out of my system it's easy. I don't crave it, don't miss it, don't need it. What I'm doing now feels very sustainable. When I try to eat the foods that I feel "addicted" to in moderation - that does not feel sustainable to me whatsoever.

sandikegz

Food addiction is real, just like alcoholism or a drug addiction. I am a recovering food addict/compulsive overeater in a 12 step program, but I will never be "cured". I have an effed up mind when it comes to food, an obession, an illness. Food addiction is an eating disorder. Some people have bulimia, some anorexia, some compulsive overeating or other obsessive or compulsive food behaviors. Food addicts use and abuse food and they can't do anything to stop it when they are being overpowered by their addiction. Eating disorders are in the DSM-IV.

Well said! I am one of the lucky ones that seems to have been on both ends of the spectrum. Luckily neither one was on the extreme side. A few years back I was emotionally anorexic. I literally had to take a medication to have an appetite. I would try to eat and literally not be able to swallow. It was related to depression. Now, at the current time, I seem to want to eat anything that passes before my eyes. Not even hungry and will still eat. And I get it, look at my profile pic, I know I'm not fat. I can just totally see how an addiction to food can occur.

Unfortunately I've been and am addicted to many vices, and yes, it's a mental disorder. Isn't that rather obvious? Some will call it a lack of self control. Again...mental right? I guess at the end of the day, my point is, Yes, you can be addicted to food, just like anything else. You get a high from eating, a comfort, a relief. Just like cigarettes, gambling, gaming, fitness, cocaine, alcohol, cleanliness, meth, or sex for that matter...you name it, I think you can get addicted to it.

maillemaker

If I don't eat added sugar/white bread/etc. at all? Once it's out of my system it's easy. I don't crave it, don't miss it, don't need it. What I'm doing now feels very sustainable. When I try to eat the foods that I feel "addicted" to in moderation - that does not feel sustainable to me whatsoever.

This is a fantastic post and tremendously insightful - I am going to use this on my doctor next visit.

She was constantly harping on me that the Paleo or Atkins style diets were "unsustainable".

What I could not articulate is, "Lady, NO diet is sustainable!"

But you've hit the nail on the head. It's a hell of a lot more sustainable to cut out the foods you have no willpower over than to try to eat a diet that includes them.

It's like telling an alcoholic they can quit drinking by just having little drinks instead of full glasses. It's far easier to just avoid it all together.

jennybennypenny

I just want to throw in that who cares if they call it an addiction or not? If a person lacks willpower, whoopdedoo. There are some foods I don't eat because I don't trust myself to have the willpower to stop at a healthy amount. Who cares? I didn't say everyone else in the world can't eat that one thing. Just that I am ok not eating it myself.

And I do believe food addiction exists. Whether a person has it *for real* or not isn't your problem. Same with any other thing people may say they have.

Well, it isn't "whoopdedoo" to some people.

If someone "lacks willpower" and allows themselves to become overweight, it may be viewed differently than if they had an "addiction" (and therefore, no control over the consequences). Not to me, but society at large.

I guess I meant, why are we shaming people for a lack of willpower? Whether it's a willpower issue or a food addiction (which are different things) why do people feel the need to shame everyone all the time? That's my beef.

agdyl

Since I began logging my meals, I've noticed some of these things myself that I also once thought were ridiculous. For instance, I can be doing just fine on a calorie-deficient diet, and as soon as I grab a couple of cheese crackers, potato chips, or a select few other food items (typically carb heavy), I get almost an insatiable desire for more, More, MORE of whatever it is. I can walk away from it, but it takes way more serious effort than it should.

So I don't know that it's actually addiction (at least not in my case), but there's something triggering a very strong, very immediate reaction in me that *feels* a lot like an outright need.

This is my situation also.

Me too. It's like having a handful of potato chips is exponentially harder than having no potato chips. The only way I can do it is if I only have access to that one small portion. But my husband always has virtually all my trigger foods in the house. They're in front of me constantly. So generally speaking, that doesn't work for me personally. But if I don't eat any, it's all good.

EmilyJackCO

Yep.

People use the word "addiction" to justify a lack of willpower

Those of us who have had addictions to things other than food would heartily disagree.

maillemaker

This is not the definition of an addiction, it never was, and it never will be. Addictions can be physiological, psychological, or simply compulsive beyond the sufferer's control. Addicts will oftentimes feel incredibly despondent and negative about their conditions and make great efforts to change it, but will relapse.
That is why part of recovering from addiction is relapsing, you will, in all likelihood, in all cases of addiction, relapse. These can be from simple nervous tics that relieve tension in anxiety suffers, like biting your fingernails, or pulling hair, to full on drug addiction where the user feels physically and psychologically compelled to use. Not using is not the same as not being an addict. People who have eating disorders do not always engage in those eating disorders, but will still feel the same negative emotions from them. This could be an over-eater who doesn't over-eat but feels the negative connotations that come with it, the thought of wasting, the strong urge to do it, and the resultant anxiety from not engaging in the addiction, if you over-eat and have those feelings at the same time, then you are a using addict. That is being an addict, and it is a marked difference from people who just stuff their faces out of sheer boredom or no control on their diet, that is what every single person in this thread who asserts that they had over ate and could "easily" solve that problem. The issue isn't that people who suffer from eating addiction have low self-control, it's that you never had self-control in the first place. People with an eating addiction will become fat because of their addiction, you will become fat because you are a slob.
This is the difference, you are projecting your own stupidity onto others, just because you got fat because of poor self control, doesn't mean that there aren't skinny/average/fat people who don't have a legitimate addiction to eating food.
Wanting to and needing to are two incredibly different things. You want to eat food, addicts feel like they NEED to eat food.

Please understand the basics of the subjects before you deign to fill this topic with stupidity.
You are ignorant, you have nothing but anecdotal evidence and refuse to do the actual research as to why various forms of addiction exists. There are people who chronically over eat, they are not hungry, they do not even want to eat, but they feel a grave compulsion to do so. This is no more controllable that someone who suffers from borderline personality disorder or other thought disturbances. The of self control is not the moment when you see a food item and keep yourself from eating it, self control in a sufferer's of addiction perspective is attempting to dispel the obsessive thoughts that create the addiction. These are thoughts like "I am a bad person if I do not do that thing." or "If I don't do that thing I will have a panic attack." or "I have to do that thing because it's the most important thing."
THAT is the root of the addiction, not eating the food, but the thinking behind it.

Once again, you saying that these addictions aren't real and are a symptom of loose self-control and excuse making goes against decades of psychological and physiological research. Also keep in mind that your body's hormones and metabolism matches your diet, so you can very, very, very easily have your body be incredibly stubborn and refuse to adapt to a newer diet with less food in it. This is something even body builders suffer from when they switch from their bulking phase to their cutting phase. Rapidly changing diet, or even slowly changing diet, especially if that diet has been a fixture for an extended period of time, is something your body does not enjoy doing, and your body very slowly adapts to those changes in diet by adjusting your metabolism and hormones.
There are hormones that are directly link to the feeling of hunger or the satisfaction of eating, and those become more prevalent the more and more someone eats. This is why it's significantly more difficult for people to lose weight the larger they become.

I haven't been overweight since I was in elementary school, and I've never suffered from compulsive eating or any real addictions beyond a brief period of smoking for the course of a year, but it's very, very easy to understand that these things are real, they do exist, and there's an enormous difference between an addict and someone lacking in self control.

Do some research instead of making yourself look like a fool.

Fantastic post. Thanks!