Food Addiction and Eating Disorders

Statistical Data on Food Addiction and Eating Disorder

• Studies claim that food is more addictive than drugs. Also, it is likely food is more addictive.
• Food addiction mimics the increased dopamine levels in the brain through drug consumption.
• The study has claimed eating disorders or addiction to food in:
  • 50% of the obese people
  • 30% of the overweight people
  • and 20% of people with a healthy weight.

Food Addiction and Eating Disorders: Signs and Symptoms

Eating disorders, such as binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia, typically involve behaviors surrounding weight and food issues, attitudes, and extreme emotions. Every disorder has its specific signs and symptoms. For instance, you can find the list below:

Warning: Signs & Symptoms for Anorexia

The warning signs and symptoms for anorexia include,

• Body Weight: Abnormally low
• Fear of gaining weight: Intense
• Perception of a body shape and size: Extremely distorted

People suffering from anorexia are known to take extreme measures to control their weight. Thus, they can include:

• Abuse of diet aids
• Abuse of laxatives
• Over-exercising
• Putting unnecessary limits on calorie intake
• Purging

Warning: Signs & Symptoms for Bulimia

Warning signs and symptoms of Bulimia include usually eating in a frequent manner. In addition, they have no control over these episodes. Also, in people suffering from Bulimia, after the episode of binge eating, there is an extreme need for purging. Likewise, they facilitate purging with:

• Vomiting forcefully
• Intrinsic exercising
• Using diet pills or laxatives

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

The signs and symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are:

1. Gaining weight significantly
2. Continued eating with no hunger: causes illness
3. Sar passing your physical tolerance for food intake
4. Secretly eating
5. Trying harder than usual for a certain food
6. Chronic fatigue, decreased energy, difficulty in concentrating
7. Experience oversleeping or insomnia
8. Irritability and restlessness
9. Thoughts: Suicidal
10. Headaches
11. Digestive disorders

Symptom: Eating Disorder

• Significant weight gain
• Eating food more than the body can digest
• Continuing to eat even if not hungry
• Eating in secret, seclusion
• Heart troubles
• Trying to obtain certain foods with a lot of effort
• Decreased energy, chronic fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or oversleeping
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Eating to the point of feeling ill

Eating Disorders and Food Addiction: Effects

The effects of eating disorders and food addictions can be physical, psychological, and social. For instance, a few of them are discussed below:

Negative Physical Effects:

• Obesity
• Chronic fatigue
• Heart disease
• Kidney/Liver Disease
• Chronic pain

Unwanted Psychological Effects:

• Depression
• Increased feelings of anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Low self-esteem
• Emotional numbness

Undesired Social Consequences:

• Poor performance: Work and school
• Secluding oneself
• Avoids: Social functions or events
• Finances jeopardized

Treatment: Eating Disorder and Food Addiction

Food addiction and eating disorder treatment is generally based on the individual sufferers’ needs. Some people attend 12 step group and self-help groups like Overeaters Anonymous. There are also a variety of common treatments often utilized including:

• Family, group, or individual psychotherapy
• Monitoring and care: Medical
• Counseling - Nutritional
• Medication