An addiction is similar to an obsession because it involves the preoccupation with something. Addictions have mental and often physical effects. They are also characterized by dependencies and a perceived inability to give up something you rely on such as drugs, alcohol or food. Food addiction does not necessarily result in weight gain. Food addicts may engage in one or more methods of purging, such as vomiting or the overuse of laxatives.
Definition
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is a fellowship devoted to helping food addicts overcome their addiction. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, FARA holds meetings and bases its recovery process on the Twelve Steps. According to the FARA website, food addicts fall into one of two categories: They either are unable to control their eating or are obsessed with food. Both of these situations can be anxiety-provoking. In fact, Doreen Virtue, author of "Constant Craving, A-Z", considers anxiety to be one of the four main emotions that leads to emotional eating.
Emotional Eating
Emotional eating refers to the increased consumption of food as a response to negative feelings. Food addicts engage in emotional eating as a method of coping with stress, depression or anxiety. Overeating eventually becomes a source of guilt and anxiety. As such, food addicts respond by consuming even more food. Therefore, feelings of guilt and anxiety work to perpetuate emotional eating, according to the website for Rader Programs, a treatment program for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, as well as compulsive overeating.
Hunger
Hunger is caused by lack of food and causes you to feel physically weak. However, hunger is perceived differently by food addicts. Food addicts use food to fill an emptiness that is not in their stomachs. Caryl Ehrlich, author of "Conquer Your Food Addiction," says that food addicts need to learn how to differentiate between hunger and urges. Hunger should not be derived from feelings of sadness or anxiety. Yet, food addicts look to food to deal with their anxiety.
Disorders
In December 2004, "The Journal of American Psychiatry" published the results of a study regarding the relationship between anxiety disorders and eating disorders. In this study, researchers found that anxiety disorders were more prevalent in participants diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia, as opposed to participants without an eating disorder. It was also found that the onset of their anxiety disorders preceded their eating disorder. As such, the researchers concluded that having an anxiety disorder may make you more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder later.
References
- Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Are you a Food Addict?
- "The American Journal of Psychiatry"; Comorbidity of Anxiety Disorders with Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa; Dec 2004
- Rader Programs: Food Addiction Treatment
- Psych Central: What is Real Hunger?
- "Constant Craving A-Z"; Doreen Virtue, Ph D.; 1999
