Pray It Off 10/21/10 Food Addiction

Food Addiction: The "Dis-Ease" Model of Obesity*

Definition of Food Addiction

Simply put, food addiction involves an unhealthy relationship, or "dis-ease," with food
that a person is unable to stop or control despite the immense pain, suffering and overall harm it is causing.

Symptoms of Food Addiction

--Obsessed with thoughts about food
--Compulsive overeating
--The feeling of being out of control when eating
--Eating until you feel sick
--Eating to relieve worry or stress
--Overeating simply because food is there
--Feelings of guilt, shame and remorse after eating
--Hiding food so you can eat it in secret
--Eating to ease painful emotions
--Eating extremely fast
--Eating to pass the time
--Eating everything on the plate even when you are full
--Awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
--History of many unsuccessful diets
--Preoccupation with weight
--Health problems because of weight
--Going on a food binge after dieting or trying to cut back
--Lying about your eating
--Self-loathing and self-hatred because of your eating and/or weight

Biopsychosocial/Spiritual Model of "Dis-ease"

A more complex understanding of food addiction must address a myriad of interconnected biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors that may be contributing to the "dis-ease." These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

Biological Components of Food Addiction

--Genetic inheritance
--Reward Deficiency Syndrome
--Allergy-Addiction Syndrome
--Comorbid disease
--Insulin resistance
--Leptin resistance
--Perimenopause/Menopause
--Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
--Thyroid dysfunction
--Adrenal insufficiency
--Neurotransmitter imbalances

Psychological Components of Food Addiction

--Emotional inheritance
--Critical self-appraisal
--Avoidance, denial, numbing of true feelings
--Repression of previous trauma
--Projection of blame
--Poor emotional self-regulation
--Pain intolerance
--Need for a "quick fix," or instant gratification

Social Components of Food Addiction

--Attachment disorders (unrelenting fear of being used, abused, rejected and ultimately abandoned)
--Inability to give and receive true unconditional love

Spiritual Components of Food Addiction

--Lack of belonging (feeling "a part from" rather than "a part of"; lost and longing to find way "back home")

Healing the "Dis-Ease" of Food Addiction

Because of its complexity, those who suffer from food addiction rarely find release from their "dis-ease" on their own. There is no one cause or simple solution. Recognizing you may have a problem is the first step. Reaching out for help is the next. The best place to start is by talking to a mental health professional that specializes in the treatment of food addiction. 12-Step programs like Overeaters Anonymous (oa.org) and those for eating disorders (eatingdisordersanonymous.org) can also be very helpful.

*http://www.livestrong.com/article/14889-food-addiction-the-dis-ease-model-of-obesity/

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