Having a hard time controlling eating impulses?

fatstrat

I've seen a LOT of posts here with people constantly falling off the wagon and making mistakes that I'm sure leave a lot of other people scratching their heads in amazement, and I just wanted to throw this out there just in case it can help someone realize something from a new angle. This is NOT a catch-all statement or meant to diagnose ANYONE on this board and this information should be taken with a grain of salt UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL but...

If you've ever eaten an entire bag of chips with some ranch dip and, since you had some ranch left over, ate an entire box of chicken wings for dessert, *then* felt guilty over it later and wondered why the heck you would do that after working so hard the other days of the week, you *may* want to make sure that you don't have attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder.

I know some eyes are rolling right now but if you have issues like this I'd like to turn you from groupthink to scientific research and observation dating back over 200 years. If you think AD/HD is just an issue kids have that makes them inattentive and hyperactive, you should do some reading on adult AD/HD and learn more about the disorder. It's not a "made-up" thing intended to allow doctors to get kids hooked on drugs. Research has shown physical differences in the brains of people with AD/HD and people who do not have it. Lowered levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the AD/HD brain are of special interest to researchers. Both of these neurotransmitters are believed to play a roll in the "reward" system in our brains. We all know that pleasant events trigger a dopamine response in our brains, as does good food. If you are one of the estimated 6% of undiagnosed adults in this country with AD/HD, that reward system may not be functioning well.

There are MANY other facets to this disorder and most adults with it go their entire lives living in various states of dysfunction without ever knowing it. If you feel you could be achieving much more in life, whether it be motivation for exercise, finishing projects, organization, career or relationship related, I'd recommend that you at least do some reading. Most literature would describe adult AD/HD using the term "underachiever," if forced to pick a single word to describe the disorder.

It's much more complicated than can be described here, but maybe someone will find this useful.

Again, don't take an online questionnaire and assume you have AD/HD. Many of the adult symptoms closely resemble milder forms of bipolar disorder. It's important that you SEE A DOCTOR if any of those tests hint that you may have it.

Here's a short article about AD/HD and obesity:

http://www.add.org/articles/eatingdisorders.html

Google is also your friend.


EDIT: Ok, I've tried editing that link a couple of times and it doesn't work and a quick search didn't give me a hint so I give up. :huh:

fatstrat

I've seen a LOT of posts here with people constantly falling off the wagon and making mistakes that I'm sure leave a lot of other people scratching their heads in amazement, and I just wanted to throw this out there just in case it can help someone realize something from a new angle. This is NOT a catch-all statement or meant to diagnose ANYONE on this board and this information should be taken with a grain of salt UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL but...

If you've ever eaten an entire bag of chips with some ranch dip and, since you had some ranch left over, ate an entire box of chicken wings for dessert, *then* felt guilty over it later and wondered why the heck you would do that after working so hard the other days of the week, you *may* want to make sure that you don't have attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder.

I know some eyes are rolling right now but if you have issues like this I'd like to turn you from groupthink to scientific research and observation dating back over 200 years. If you think AD/HD is just an issue kids have that makes them inattentive and hyperactive, you should do some reading on adult AD/HD and learn more about the disorder. It's not a "made-up" thing intended to allow doctors to get kids hooked on drugs. Research has shown physical differences in the brains of people with AD/HD and people who do not have it. Lowered levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the AD/HD brain are of special interest to researchers. Both of these neurotransmitters are believed to play a roll in the "reward" system in our brains. We all know that pleasant events trigger a dopamine response in our brains, as does good food. If you are one of the estimated 6% of undiagnosed adults in this country with AD/HD, that reward system may not be functioning well.

There are MANY other facets to this disorder and most adults with it go their entire lives living in various states of dysfunction without ever knowing it. If you feel you could be achieving much more in life, whether it be motivation for exercise, finishing projects, organization, career or relationship related, I'd recommend that you at least do some reading. Most literature would describe adult AD/HD using the term "underachiever," if forced to pick a single word to describe the disorder.

It's much more complicated than can be described here, but maybe someone will find this useful.

Again, don't take an online questionnaire and assume you have AD/HD. Many of the adult symptoms closely resemble milder forms of bipolar disorder. It's important that you SEE A DOCTOR if any of those tests hint that you may have it.

Here's a short article about AD/HD and obesity:

http://www.add.org/articles/eatingdisorders.html

Google is also your friend.


EDIT: Ok, I've tried editing that link a couple of times and it doesn't work and a quick search didn't give me a hint so I give up. :huh:

Shannon023

bump! :flowerforyou:

stef_e_b

Hmmm, I had no idea ADHD and my weight problems might have something to do with the other. I've been contemplating going on medication for a while now and maybe it might help these problems too. Thanks for the link!

fatstrat

Hmmm, I had no idea ADHD and my weight problems might have something to do with the other. I've been contemplating going on medication for a while now and maybe it might help these problems too. Thanks for the link!

You're welcome! There's a LOT of good info out there, do some Googling and find it. Just don't assume you have it unless you've been seen by someone who specializes in it. A general practitioner can diagnose and prescribe, but a lot of them can use the "checklist diagnosis" and could be wrong. If you have no disorder, or worse, something like bipolar disorder, AD/HD meds can be more harmful that good. Help does no good unless it's the right help.

More URLS:

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/563.html

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/825.html

http://www.add.org/articles/myth.html
http://www.add.org/
http://www.add.org/articles/index.html#rel
http://www.addcoach4u.com/resources.html
http://www.addcoach4u.com/adhd-coaching/experiencecoaching.html
http://www.additudemag.com/
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1860.html
http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Especially_For_Adults

xbonbonx

I think it's definitely possible... this coming from someone who lives with a brother that has ADD.

fatstrat

I think it's definitely possible... this coming from someone who lives with a brother that has ADD.

I'm sure it's possible. :happy:

healthyone41

There are LOTS of reasons why people are impulsive eaters (poor eating habits, reaction to high stress levels, minor depression and irritability......)

the list could go on.... I advise to check with a doctor and if your symptoms are affecting more than eating, but also affects daily functioning, THEN you might want to consider counseling and/or medication.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO SELF DIAGNOSE seek outside support.

fatstrat

There are LOTS of reasons why people are impulsive eaters (poor eating habits, reaction to high stress levels, minor depression and irritability......)

the list could go on.... I advise to check with a doctor and if your symptoms are affecting more than eating, but also affects daily functioning, THEN you might want to consider counseling and/or medication.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO SELF DIAGNOSE seek outside support.

Ummm, yeah. That's what I said.