Interesting new study on "food addiction"
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The quitting will start seeming much easier very soon.Quitting smoking was MUCH harder for me than not overeating. I went cold turkey and remember a lot of it like it was yesterday, even what the room looked lie, where papers were on the desk as I looked around, semi-frantic about what I'd do right now instead of smoking.
Years later, I picked it back up while my mother was dying. The second time was a little easier, since I'd done it before and knew what to expect, how long it would last, what the benefits would be. The second time was a lot like beginning a more strict diet.
But my first time quitting, Holy Crap. Other than watching my parents die, that was the hardest thing I ever did.
But I liked my cigarettes much more than food. It has a lot of drawbacks, but smoking is pleasurable.
I'm 9 days cold turkey and am having trouble thinking and functioning like a normal person. I don't think I've ever said anything like that about abstaining from cookies.
EDIT: pressed enter too quickly because my brain seriously doesn't work right anymore, lol.
But yeah, quitting a physically addictive substance is a lot harder than eating less. Part of the issue is that people don't know what triggers their eating problems because it isn't as simple as blaming it on chemical dependency. Is it stress? Past trauma? The taste of the food itself (chips, cookies)? The feeling of being stuffed? I know alllllll of this was part of what made me binge eat. It's something everyone has to figure out for themselves and it seems daunting, too hard.
Then you will periodically - sometimes out of nowhere - have intense and overpowering urges to smoke. Just when you think you're out, it pulls you back in.
Be ready for that.
And remember to say NOPE! Not One Puff Ever.
The reason I picked it back up was that my mother was being kept alive by machines and there was lots of family drama over when to stop them, relatives arriving and weighing in, tempers flaring. I had to be the calm in the storm and it was getting rough, so I stopped by a friend's house to chat and decided to have one of her cigarettes. Just one. Just to calm my nerves.
In a matter of days, I was back into a pack a day.
NOT ONE PUFF EVER. Don't ever start again. No matter what. 0 -
I was saying that the reasons for being overweight are very different from person to person: not that all oveweight people are a bit addicted to food.
Oh, okay. I misunderstood and actually agree.0 -
People are confusing "simple" and "easy."
Weight loss is, for healthy people, VERY simple. Eat less and/or exercise more. Simple.
Not necessarily easy.
Even weight loss is not that simple for everyone.0 -
This part of the article, in particular, sums up my feeling on food addiction.The scientists said it was a behavioural disorder and could be categorised alongside conditions such as a gambling addiction.
They suggested tackling the problem of obesity should be moved away from food itself and instead focussed on the individual's relationship with eating.
This sums up my thoughts on it as well.0 -
I think a lot of people confuse binge eating disorder with an addiction to food.
As someone who is going through the withdrawals, cravings and emotional pain caused by quitting smoking, I can honestly tell you that anyone who claims food addiction is a ridiculous person. Compulsion and addiction are not the same.
You seem to be projecting your own personal situation onto others. I know a few people who say it was easier to stop smoking than to stop overeating.
I quit a 13+ year pack a day smoking habit 5 years ago. It was extremely hard. It took me several tries before I was successful.
But for me personally (I am ONLY speaking for myself, not trying to generalize), my overeating issues have been much, much more difficult to overcome.
I have major issues with overeating. I eat to comfort myself, I eat to celebrate, I eat when I'm sad, stressed, really happy. I use my emotions as an excuse to overeat. I use food to help ease the pain/discomfort of whatever I'm dealing with. It's something that I am fully aware of, but it's been extremely hard to get a handle on it permanently.
I agree that at the end of the day, it is about self control. But for someone like me, I don't think it should be brushed off as a self control issue only and left at that. There are so many things going on behind the scenes causing the overeating (emotionally, mentally)...it's just more complicated than that.
I agree with you. Some people have a much harder time with food issues than others. I am one of those people. But, I would never, ever say I am "addicted" to food, because I have known real addiction. Eating disorder, emotional eating, compulsive snacking, food as a coping mechanism, call it whatever you like. It is not an "addiction." People like to use that word because it invalidates some of their guilt. Everyone would like to think they are powerless when it comes to food. No one wants to admit that it's their fault. I am not one of the people saying "just get a little self control and suck it up!" I know how hard it is. I am just saying, you're not addicted to food.
I don't understand this train of thought. What "guilt" should those trying to lose weight feel that someone smoking shouldn't? Do you think that your smoking wasn't your fault because you were addicted? That overeating is a choice and smoking is not?0 -
The term "food-addiction" is being used more and more nowadays.
Of course it is. By playing the addict card people don't have to accept responsibility for their actions. Over eating is a lack of self control.
I think "lack of self control" is over simplifying things. People over eat for many different reasons.
For me...I had to take a look at why I over ate...why allowed myself to become over weight...before I could fix it. Being honest with myself about those reasons is why I have been able to lose as much as I have and not quitting when it gets tough.
I will say this...food became my "new best friend". It was there for me when I felt like nothing else was...it also allowed me to hide behind a wall of fat. Some would say that I had good reason to hide...I look back now...it wasn't...but it was easier than the other alternative.
Not sure that self control had anything to do with it...
I agree with you. It's not a lack of "self control". In fact, there have been studies that show that "self control" or "will power" are not factors in losing weight long-term. It's a complex issue with complex solutions. Some people think in black and white, though....
I have a nephew that craved attention from his mother as a child. When he over ate...he got that attention. He was made to feel special by how much he could eat. Today...he is a 300+ pound man.
It wasn't a lack of self control...food masked the real problems that he had.
This is why I think that many of us have to face the issues that caused our lives to get so out of control...that we turned to the one thing that would give us pleasure and what we needed.
Even now...after having lost 80lbs...I still have to deal with the issues that I had in life. If I don't acknowledge those issues...i will be right back where I started.
I am not saying that for some people that it is not just a lack of self control...I just believe that for some...it goes much further than that.
All these things you mention are true and valid things that lead to over eating as they can easily overcome a persons self control. But at the end of the day....... Self control is what keeps the fork out of your mouth.
i agree with the others that say you are being oversimplistic.
Of course I am being simpilistic , I am trying to convey a complex issue on a Internet forum.
Make no mistake about it though, there is nothing simple with recognizing self control gaining self control applying self control, keeping self control or understanding self control. Kinda like we use the mantra of calorie in vrs calorie burned around here. A simplification of a complex event. Go hang out with a bunch of addicts, ok well maybe former addicts and they will reapeat the self control mantra. It isn't simple and it sure as hell isn't easy.
Oops, that cut me off. Just wanted to agree with this ^^^ I was an addict (not food) for the same reason I ended up overweight, not because I didn't have any self control, but because I chose not to exercise any self control over my behavior!0 -
There is a term called "pairing." I think food addiction is actually the result of pairing. We associate certain emotions (or all emotions) with some type of food and as the behavior gets more and more consolidated, it gets harder to kick.
But it can be changed.
totally agree with this^^^ I think many overweight people (especially obese) pair food with an emotion or some aspect of their lives that are not fulfilled in healthy ways. This is why so many times you see the "emotional outbursts" of the people on shows like Biggest Loser. They have an unhealthy relationship with food either from some tragic event that the food has helped to fill or some emotion they grew up lacking which again the food has filled for them.
Like the poster that stated thier nephew associated food with attention from his mother- the same happened to my brother- he would get attention from our entire family- mom, dad, grandparents over how much he could eat- which led to him being a severely obese pre-teen and into his teen years and now he is a grown man suffering from years of bulemia - yes males are bulemic too.
I have experienced the same- I did not develop bulemia but am obese because I associate food with love, family, and entertainment- mostly because it is what I experienced growing up. The only time my family would spend time together was when we would eat or actually go out to eat- so I learned to associate food with good emotions. Which then developed into filling other good emotions I was lacking in my life- love, freindship, etc. I am learning to change this and am successful so far- but I had to acknowledge this first and find out why I had this relationship with food. I dont agree with the self control statement- as I dont think you can control yourself unless you are taught to do so (especially if you learned a behavior- see studies on children of alchoholics, abusers, and smokers and thier likelyhood of following thier parents footsteps with these addictions)- control is not an instinct everyone has but is rather a learned behavior- which is why so many suffer from addiction. The brain wants these chemicals especially when there is an imbalance and will get the balance in any way that it can which is why we experience cravings- even for food.
Just my opinion and based on my personal experience0 -
100% agree...No shame is asking for or receiving help to accomplish your goals.
...But not so sure about that one.Pretty sure that is why most of us are at MFP.
I didn't mean to imply all here are asking for help. Just that MFP and the community are tools to help use achieve our goals.
But help and support is certainly here and available to those that seek it.
Agree with this ^^^0 -
There is a term called "pairing." I think food addiction is actually the result of pairing. We associate certain emotions (or all emotions) with some type of food and as the behavior gets more and more consolidated, it gets harder to kick.
But it can be changed.
totally agree with this^^^ I think many overweight people (especially obese) pair food with an emotion or some aspect of their lives that are not fulfilled in healthy ways. This is why so many times you see the "emotional outbursts" of the people on shows like Biggest Loser. They have an unhealthy relationship with food either from some tragic event that the food has helped to fill or some emotion they grew up lacking which again the food has filled for them.
Like the poster that stated thier nephew associated food with attention from his mother- the same happened to my brother- he would get attention from our entire family- mom, dad, grandparents over how much he could eat- which led to him being a severely obese pre-teen and into his teen years and now he is a grown man suffering from years of bulemia - yes males are bulemic too.
I have experienced the same- I did not develop bulemia but am obese because I associate food with love, family, and entertainment- mostly because it is what I experienced growing up. The only time my family would spend time together was when we would eat or actually go out to eat- so I learned to associate food with good emotions. Which then developed into filling other good emotions I was lacking in my life- love, freindship, etc. I am learning to change this and am successful so far- but I had to acknowledge this first and find out why I had this relationship with food. I dont agree with the self control statement- as I dont think you can control yourself unless you are taught to do so (especially if you learned a behavior- see studies on children of alchoholics, abusers, and smokers and thier likelyhood of following thier parents footsteps with these addictions)- control is not an instinct everyone has but is rather a learned behavior- which is why so many suffer from addiction. The brain wants these chemicals especially when there is an imbalance and will get the balance in any way that it can which is why we experience cravings- even for food.
Just my opinion and based on my personal experience
I agree with pairing being a real and true connection to substances. And like you I love food, family and entertainment. I especially love the feeling dopamine gives me when I pleasure my brain. I have had to work through my own pairings so I know all about them.
So my question to you is, once a person has done what ever they have to do to come to terms with their pairing. Now what do I do to keep the fork out of my mouth ?0 -
There is a term called "pairing." I think food addiction is actually the result of pairing. We associate certain emotions (or all emotions) with some type of food and as the behavior gets more and more consolidated, it gets harder to kick.
But it can be changed.
totally agree with this^^^ I think many overweight people (especially obese) pair food with an emotion or some aspect of their lives that are not fulfilled in healthy ways. This is why so many times you see the "emotional outbursts" of the people on shows like Biggest Loser. They have an unhealthy relationship with food either from some tragic event that the food has helped to fill or some emotion they grew up lacking which again the food has filled for them.
Like the poster that stated thier nephew associated food with attention from his mother- the same happened to my brother- he would get attention from our entire family- mom, dad, grandparents over how much he could eat- which led to him being a severely obese pre-teen and into his teen years and now he is a grown man suffering from years of bulemia - yes males are bulemic too.
I have experienced the same- I did not develop bulemia but am obese because I associate food with love, family, and entertainment- mostly because it is what I experienced growing up. The only time my family would spend time together was when we would eat or actually go out to eat- so I learned to associate food with good emotions. Which then developed into filling other good emotions I was lacking in my life- love, freindship, etc. I am learning to change this and am successful so far- but I had to acknowledge this first and find out why I had this relationship with food. I dont agree with the self control statement- as I dont think you can control yourself unless you are taught to do so (especially if you learned a behavior- see studies on children of alchoholics, abusers, and smokers and thier likelyhood of following thier parents footsteps with these addictions)- control is not an instinct everyone has but is rather a learned behavior- which is why so many suffer from addiction. The brain wants these chemicals especially when there is an imbalance and will get the balance in any way that it can which is why we experience cravings- even for food.
Just my opinion and based on my personal experience
I agree with pairing being a real and true connection to substances. And like you I love food, family and entertainment. I especially love the feeling dopamine gives me when I pleasure my brain. I have had to work through my own pairings so I know all about them.
So my question to you is, once a person has done what ever they have to do to come to terms with their pairing. Now what do I do to keep the fork out of my mouth ?
That was part of what I maybe didnt make clear- learning to deal with your "pairings" is learning self control or why you lack it in the first place so that you can control yourself around whatever your addiction is0 -
There is a term called "pairing." I think food addiction is actually the result of pairing. We associate certain emotions (or all emotions) with some type of food and as the behavior gets more and more consolidated, it gets harder to kick.
But it can be changed.
totally agree with this^^^ I think many overweight people (especially obese) pair food with an emotion or some aspect of their lives that are not fulfilled in healthy ways. This is why so many times you see the "emotional outbursts" of the people on shows like Biggest Loser. They have an unhealthy relationship with food either from some tragic event that the food has helped to fill or some emotion they grew up lacking which again the food has filled for them.
Like the poster that stated thier nephew associated food with attention from his mother- the same happened to my brother- he would get attention from our entire family- mom, dad, grandparents over how much he could eat- which led to him being a severely obese pre-teen and into his teen years and now he is a grown man suffering from years of bulemia - yes males are bulemic too.
I have experienced the same- I did not develop bulemia but am obese because I associate food with love, family, and entertainment- mostly because it is what I experienced growing up. The only time my family would spend time together was when we would eat or actually go out to eat- so I learned to associate food with good emotions. Which then developed into filling other good emotions I was lacking in my life- love, freindship, etc. I am learning to change this and am successful so far- but I had to acknowledge this first and find out why I had this relationship with food. I dont agree with the self control statement- as I dont think you can control yourself unless you are taught to do so (especially if you learned a behavior- see studies on children of alchoholics, abusers, and smokers and thier likelyhood of following thier parents footsteps with these addictions)- control is not an instinct everyone has but is rather a learned behavior- which is why so many suffer from addiction. The brain wants these chemicals especially when there is an imbalance and will get the balance in any way that it can which is why we experience cravings- even for food.
Just my opinion and based on my personal experience
I agree with pairing being a real and true connection to substances. And like you I love food, family and entertainment. I especially love the feeling dopamine gives me when I pleasure my brain. I have had to work through my own pairings so I know all about them.
So my question to you is, once a person has done what ever they have to do to come to terms with their pairing. Now what do I do to keep the fork out of my mouth ?
That was part of what I maybe didnt make clear- learning to deal with your "pairings" is learning self control or why you lack it in the first place so that you can control yourself around whatever your addiction is
Agreed. But I didn't want to assume in case I was not understanding you correctly.
You made a great point about learning self control. It is very much a learned skill.0 -
I agree with pairing being a real and true connection to substances. And like you I love food, family and entertainment. I especially love the feeling dopamine gives me when I pleasure my brain. I have had to work through my own pairings so I know all about them.
So my question to you is, once a person has done what ever they have to do to come to terms with their pairing. Now what do I do to keep the fork out of my mouth ?
I think possibly...some...instead of controlling the fork to mouth...learn to get that feeling of pleasure from other activities. Kind of like a replacement therapy.
I think that I replaced what food gave me with being more physically fit. Now that I have reached a level of fitness that I am happy with I have struggled with food issues again. I realize that I have more work to do. I have spent the past week trying to figure out...what is my next step.
I read something this week...a 65 year old woman...all on her own...backpacking across South America. I think that is what I am missing right now...that one thing that I am working toward...that one thing that keeps me going. I just have to find what that one thing is.
I know...probably took this in a different direction but...
Being thin...being able to walk a half marathon...isn't enough...I need a purpose. That purpose probably more than self control...I hope will keep the fork out of my mouth.
Maybe none of this made sense...I am known to be that way at times!0 -
Maybe none of this made sense...I am known to be that way at times!
Made sense to me, and I agree a purpose is a huge part of it.0 -
Your post reminded me of Curly in "City Slickers." One Thing.
I agree with pairing being a real and true connection to substances. And like you I love food, family and entertainment. I especially love the feeling dopamine gives me when I pleasure my brain. I have had to work through my own pairings so I know all about them.
So my question to you is, once a person has done what ever they have to do to come to terms with their pairing. Now what do I do to keep the fork out of my mouth ?
I think possibly...some...instead of controlling the fork to mouth...learn to get that feeling of pleasure from other activities. Kind of like a replacement therapy.
I think that I replaced what food gave me with being more physically fit. Now that I have reached a level of fitness that I am happy with I have struggled with food issues again. I realize that I have more work to do. I have spent the past week trying to figure out...what is my next step.
I read something this week...a 65 year old woman...all on her own...backpacking across South America. I think that is what I am missing right now...that one thing that I am working toward...that one thing that keeps me going. I just have to find what that one thing is.
I know...probably took this in a different direction but...
Being thin...being able to walk a half marathon...isn't enough...I need a purpose. That purpose probably more than self control...I hope will keep the fork out of my mouth.
Maybe none of this made sense...I am known to be that way at times!
You'll find it. 0 -
Addictions are rooted in the habitual seeking of the sensations experienced when neurotransmitters are made to flood the brain because of the ingestion of a substance; heroin causes this, cocaine causes this, food causes this. Eating is an addiction for many people who crave the dopamine release that follows the ingestion of sugar, fat and salt. This is not up for discussion, it is easy to understand science. The thread is now over, nothing else to talk about really. You're welcome.
Thank you. Well put.
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addictions are quite similar imo0 -
addictions are quite similar imo
addiction is now classified as mental addictions. Some people see black and white. Don't put it in your mouth, you wont be fat, drunk, high........whatever. That is great for them. You do you, I'll d me.
Do you know there is a neurological reaction of a 'high' when an abused person interacts with an abuser? The fight or flight mechanism is triggered, thus adrenaline and dopamine flood the brain/body. When that person LEAVES the abusive situation it is this craving for release of these chemicals (along with programmed thinking) that makes them go back or allow the abuse to continue.
I am not an addictive personality myself, as a general rule, but when it came to food the high I felt from satiating the need to be 'full' became an addiction. I don't care what anyone SAYS if a human thinks about food all day long, covers their emotions with said food, fills the void of emptiness to the point of a feeling of wellbeing..................it is an addiction.
(didn't read the entire thread only the first 3 pages, so if this was said ooops)0 -
As somebody who was a binge eater until recently (and saw therapists, therapy support groups, support groups, 12 Step groups, books, etc. from 18-36 years of age, one day I just decided to stop and did. My binges were 5000-7000 calories at a time. I last binged about 3 months ago, I don't have the exact date (and I like that). I still feel like binging sometimes, but I don't. So I personally think food is not addictive. It tastes good, sure, and it's instant gratification, but it took me 18 years (and I was binging before then, that's just when I started seeking help for it) to realize I could just say no.0
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As somebody who was a binge eater until recently (and saw therapists, therapy support groups, support groups, 12 Step groups, books, etc. from 18-36 years of age, one day I just decided to stop and did. My binges were 5000-7000 calories at a time. I last binged about 3 months ago, I don't have the exact date (and I like that). I still feel like binging sometimes, but I don't. So I personally think food is not addictive. It tastes good, sure, and it's instant gratification, but it took me 18 years (and I was binging before then, that's just when I started seeking help for it) to realize I could just say no.
This reminds me of 'Brain Over Binge'.
While this may not work for everybody/their binge eating, i'm really glad that you were able to find something that worked for you, and especially after seeking help for so long. 0 -
addiction is now classified as mental addictions. Some people see black and white. Don't put it in your mouth, you wont be fat, drunk, high........whatever. That is great for them. You do you, I'll d me.
Do you know there is a neurological reaction of a 'high' when an abused person interacts with an abuser? The fight or flight mechanism is triggered, thus adrenaline and dopamine flood the brain/body. When that person LEAVES the abusive situation it is this craving for release of these chemicals (along with programmed thinking) that makes them go back or allow the abuse to continue.
I am not an addictive personality myself, as a general rule, but when it came to food the high I felt from satiating the need to be 'full' became an addiction. I don't care what anyone SAYS if a human thinks about food all day long, covers their emotions with said food, fills the void of emptiness to the point of a feeling of wellbeing..................it is an addiction.
(didn't read the entire thread only the first 3 pages, so if this was said ooops)
I could be wrong... but I think we are on the same side of this debate.0 -
addiction is now classified as mental addictions. Some people see black and white. Don't put it in your mouth, you wont be fat, drunk, high........whatever. That is great for them. You do you, I'll d me.
Do you know there is a neurological reaction of a 'high' when an abused person interacts with an abuser? The fight or flight mechanism is triggered, thus adrenaline and dopamine flood the brain/body. When that person LEAVES the abusive situation it is this craving for release of these chemicals (along with programmed thinking) that makes them go back or allow the abuse to continue.
I am not an addictive personality myself, as a general rule, but when it came to food the high I felt from satiating the need to be 'full' became an addiction. I don't care what anyone SAYS if a human thinks about food all day long, covers their emotions with said food, fills the void of emptiness to the point of a feeling of wellbeing..................it is an addiction.
(didn't read the entire thread only the first 3 pages, so if this was said ooops)
I could be wrong... but I think we are on the same side of this debate.
Yes we are, I wanted your picture to be above my post because it is spot on!0 -
As somebody who was a binge eater until recently (and saw therapists, therapy support groups, support groups, 12 Step groups, books, etc. from 18-36 years of age, one day I just decided to stop and did. My binges were 5000-7000 calories at a time. I last binged about 3 months ago, I don't have the exact date (and I like that). I still feel like binging sometimes, but I don't. So I personally think food is not addictive. It tastes good, sure, and it's instant gratification, but it took me 18 years (and I was binging before then, that's just when I started seeking help for it) to realize I could just say no.
The mantra of 12 step groups is "One Day At A Time" Sometimes it is one minute. The fact you have not 'picked up' is awesome, but doesn't prove it is not addicting.
My mom didn't pick up in over 15 years, but she died an addict. :ohwell:0 -
Thanks biggirlittle
As someone who is OCDish, black and white, has dealt with depression my whole entire life, was obese until 2009, and was a binge eater, I think we use the term addiction too loosely. At the end of the day you either do or you don't. It IS that easy. And actually that's why I don't binge anymore. It IS that easy (and that hard, as binging is totally awesome in the moment). One person may say some people are pre-dispositioned to be addicted to food but it may just be they just get more of a kick out of food than other people (and that's probably why I really really do loooooooove running). Addictive personality or more aroused by everything? Doesn't matter what you call it or how you describe it. It's a choice. That's why I never liked 12 Steps groups, I didn't want to be powerLESS over food, I wanted to be powerFUL. For me once I realized it was NOT out of my hands, well, then I stopped. I really have no excuse now if I ever binge again other than because I chose to.0 -
Thanks biggirlittle
As someone who is OCDish, black and white, has dealt with depression my whole entire life, was obese until 2009, and was a binge eater, I think we use the term addiction too loosely. At the end of the day you either do or you don't. It IS that easy. And actually that's why I don't binge anymore. It IS that easy (and that hard, as binging is totally awesome in the moment). One person may say some people are pre-dispositioned to be addicted to food but it may just be they just get more of a kick out of food than other people (and that's probably why I really really do loooooooove running). Addictive personality or more aroused by everything? Doesn't matter what you call it or how you describe it. It's a choice. That's why I never liked 12 Steps groups, I didn't want to be powerLESS over food, I wanted to be powerFUL. For me once I realized it was NOT out of my hands, well, then I stopped. I really have no excuse now if I ever binge again other than because I chose to.
OCDish? Do you mean displaying traits of OCD? OCD isn't an adjective in the sense that you used it, so excuse my confusion.
You're very welcome. We all take individual paths to recovery/health/wellness. So whatever gets you there i support you in, and wish you the best with.
I disagree with you very much so, but only because i choose to make my opinions based upon the empirical evidence i can get my hands on and science has continually proven that eating disorders are anything but a choice. If you'd care to learn more about/converse about such i can provide you with articles. Otherwise, i don't see the point in saying much more, because it's quite evident we have different opinions. Unless that is, you would care to provide me with a few resources for your claims? I'd love to read any literature you have on binging being a matter of self control, if you have any that is.
Admittedly i typed out a response that was about 6 paragraphs long, but i have so much homework to do and with my job, i don't have the time to be coming back onto forums which keeps distracting me! So i deleted it and cut it back down to this. ;P
I hope this finds you well!0 -
Not OCD in the sense of compulsive hand-washing but if I have a 3-mile run, it won't be a 2.99 mile run. I would say OCD tendencies rather than unavoidable compulsions.
"I disagree with you very much so, but only because i choose to make my opinions based upon the empirical evidence i can get my hands on and science has continually proven that eating disorders are anything but a choice."
That's not clear, are you saying you believe food addictions are uncontrollable physically urges/a physical addiction or that they ARE a choice (albeit a hard choice, just because something is really really hard to resist doesn't mean it's unavoidable).0 -
Not OCD in the sense of compulsive hand-washing but if I have a 3-mile run, it won't be a 2.99 mile run. I would say OCD tendencies rather than unavoidable compulsions.
OCD = having unavoidable compulsions. If you don't have compulsions, you're not describing OCD. It's that simple. Brain disorders are not adjectives - they are serious, debilitating illness. That is, unless you're also perfectly okay saying your run was "so MS" "So brain cancerous" "So Parkinson-like", etc.
The DSM-5 criteria for OCD: http://beyondocd.org/information-for-individuals/clinical-definition-of-ocdThat's not clear, are you saying you believe food addictions are uncontrollable physically urges/a physical addiction or that they ARE a choice (albeit a hard choice, just because something is really really hard to resist doesn't mean it's unavoidable).
I thought it was clear when i said that i disagreed with you but i'm sorry for the confusion (admittedly i took a sleep aid before writing that response, so i was woozy when i typed that out) - i don't believe eating disorders are choices, since i choose to make my decisions based upon scientific evidence. I go with what studies i am able to find that are valid and reliable (contain randomized/representative samples, have sufficient control in their control groups, relevant literature in their reports, the appropriate statistical tests are utilized, etc.), and make my decisions based off of that. I choose to believe in science - things like gravity, evolution, etc. It doesn't matter if you call them eating disorders or addictions - neurologically, they are essentially the same.
If you want to read more on such, here is a bit on the expression of the D2 receptor, and it's relationship with both binge eating and alcoholism: http://www.bnl.gov/biosciences/staff/Thanos/files/pdf/JAddDisease1.pdf0 -
So explain going through a drive-through feeling like I wasn't in control of my action, 5000-7000 calorie binges, during an 18 year period, and one day just deciding to stop, and stopping. I can definitely you I felt more crappy than good during those 18 years and spent a lot of money trying to find a solution and at the end it was just a matter of stopping!0
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So explain going through a drive-through feeling like I wasn't in control of my action, 5000-7000 calorie binges, during an 18 year period, and one day just deciding to stop, and stopping. I can definitely you I felt more crappy than good during those 18 years and spent a lot of money trying to find a solution and at the end it was just a matter of stopping!
Well, to be fair, my husband did the same with cigarettes. Just decided to stop one day and did. But that doesn't really mean they aren't addictive. He says he still has intense cravings for them years after having his last one.0 -
So explain going through a drive-through feeling like I wasn't in control of my action, 5000-7000 calorie binges, during an 18 year period, and one day just deciding to stop, and stopping. I can definitely you I felt more crappy than good during those 18 years and spent a lot of money trying to find a solution and at the end it was just a matter of stopping!
First, answer me this question - were you diagnosed by a health/mental health professional as suffering from binge eating episodes?
Secondly, what does this explanation have to do with anything? You stopping on your own doesn't 'magically prove' that there is no genetic component to eating disorders/that it's not a psychopathology.0 -
[comment deleted] having read through five pages of this thread after i post, not getting involved in the discussion seems the better idea.0
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