Food Addictions

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Food Addictions
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• Characterized by preoccupation with food, the
  availability of food and the anticipation of a
  mood from eating
• Either exhibit a complete loss of control when
  faced with food or fear of losing control and
  thus avoiding food
• Anorexia ?? bulimia ?? compulsive overeating

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Characteristics of those at risk ofdeveloping
food-related problems

• Often grow up as perfectionists
• 1st born ? set example ? high expectations
• 2) Mother has history of dieting
• Focus on weight and appearance
• 3) Father is emotionally distant
• Desire for recognition ? deep desire to please
  well into adulthood

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• 4) Often mother is codependent
• Strong need to care for others while neglecting
  self
• 5) Home with very strict discipline
• Punishment severe and often physical
• 6) Parents use guilt/shame as discipline
• Deep emotional insults ? feelings of incompetence
• 7) Sexuality not discussed at home or treated as
  something dirty
• Shame at puberty

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• 8) Father uses daughters to complain about mother
• Sets up pattern of not openly expressing emotions
  (-ive or ive)
• 9) From home where children forced to be adults
• Role of substitute mother ? immaturity not
  acceptable
• 10) Sexually abused
• Shame/guilt/loss of control

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• 11) Have desire to OVERPLEASE
• Compliant submissive
• 12) Tendency to deny anger in self others
• Inability to express/confront emotions ? poor
  communication/coping skills
• 13) Overuse food for pleasure or reward
• Food main source of comfort
• Athletes/Dancers at increased risk

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Types of food addictions

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Early teens ? start of puberty
• Changes in body loss of control ? uses food to
  regain control
• Avoids food and/or engages in ritualistic
  behaviour
• Excessive weighing measuring of body

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Anorexia contd

• Emotional high experienced when weight is loss
  or food is refused
• Often avoids food events ? holidays esp.
  problematic
• Often perfectionist personality ? considers self
  fat ? can never be too thin
• Self-esteem dependent on being thinnest, neatest,
  smartest, etc.

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Anorexia contd

• May dress in layers to hide body or dress to
  flaunt thinness as badge of achievement
• Unlikely to abuse other addictive substances
• High achievers and compulsive in other areas
  (academics, sports, cleanliness, etc)

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Anorexia contd

• Early stages ? may have elevated levels of
  endorphins ? report elevated mood or mood swings
• Later stages ? lower levels of serotonin
• Problems include ?disruption of menstrual cycle,
  thinning of hair, abnormal growth of lanugo,
  yellowish palms/soles, dry, pasty skin, dizziness
  headaches, intolerance to cold, impaired
  concentration, muscle weakness, social
  withdrawal, depression, irritability

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Treatment includes

• Psychological counselling to correct irrational
  thinking
• Nutritional and medical care
• Antidepressants may be useful

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Bulimia Nervosa

• Binge-purge cycle to prevent weight gain
• Develops after puberty (generally)
• More likely to maintain normal or slightly high
  body weight
• Eat fast
• Binges often planned, organized
• 90 induce vomiting ? others may misuse
  laxatives, diuretics excessive exercise
• 45 abuse alcohol or drugs
• More likely than anorexics to realize problem and
  seek help

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Bulimia contd

• Problems include loss of dental enamel/tooth
  decay, swollen saliva glands, sore throat,
  irregular menstrual cycle, dependency on
  laxatives, electrolyte disturbances, risk of
  heart attack, mood swings, depression, irregular
  heartbeats
• Treatment includes nutritional/medical
  counselling, psychological counselling,
  antidepressants

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Compulsive overeaters

• Inappropriate use of food and loss of control
  over how much eaten
• Diet consists of carbohydrates and junk food
• Most eating done in secret, almost continuous
  activity
• Usually begins in early childhood
  (reward/substitute for love)
• Many victims of sexual abuse (fat emotional
  armour)
• Boys may use excessive weight to cover lack of
  physical skill

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• Problems include obesity, diabetes,
  hypertension, heart disease, digestive problems,
  arthritis, respiratory disorders, social
  withdrawal, social professional problems
  attributed to weight
• Treatment ? difficult as abstinence not viable
  option and not yet taken seriously as a
  psychological disorder ? viewed with disgust
• Most common prescribed diet appetite
  suppressants may help