When we think of food issues or eating disorders, the common person doesn’t typically group them with addiction problems. But the characteristics of an eating disorder are so similar that they are actually a form of addiction. The individual with an eating disorder, such as bulimia, actually experiences a euphoric rush from the act of binge eating, similar to that of a drug user. The same brain chemistry and pleasure principles are involved in both drug use and binge eating. This euphoric feeling makes it near impossible for the bulimic to control their behavior, even when they could die from their behavior.
Anorexics and drug addicts also share a common distortion of reality that creates shockingly dangerous and self-destructive behavior. Even though these are two of the most widely known eating disorders, there are actually dozens of food issue problems people can have with behavior that ranges from life-threatening to obsession and life-disruption.
When someone has a food issue that is not life-threatening, such as an obsession of eating or not eating specific types of foods, it can cause major life-disruptions. It can affect their ability to succeed in school, work or result in failed relationships with family or more intimate partners. The lesser known eating issues are harder to diagnose and often go untreated, resulting in the issue developing into one of those more well known, life-threatening issues.
A healthy relationship with food can be complicated for many people. Our culture puts such an unrealistic emphasis on appearances and self-control that the role food plays in our daily lives can become highly complicated. How much is too much? How much is not enough? What kind of foods are good? Carbs? Fruits and sugars? What about meat vs. vegetarianism? Food is a sensual way to enjoy life, but for many, especially younger men and women and teens, the myriad of mixed messages in our society simply make issues out of food where there should be none. In a fragile, analytical, suggestible mind, these mixed messages create confusion and blur lines of understanding making it impossible to develop maturely without over-analyzing and creating distorted perceptions. Some basic facts:
• Seven million women have food issues, 86 percent of those occur before 20 years old. Seventy-seven percent before 15.
• While anorexia is often observable, bulimics often look as normal as anyone else.
• A high percentage of eating disorder sufferers also develop alcohol and/or drug problems.
An untrained person should not attempt to diagnose or treat someone who may be suspected as having one of these issues as it could be very dangerous. Consult a professional for a proper evaluation and treatment advice.
Scott Spackey is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life-Counselor & CA. Reg. Addiction Specialist who works with all ages, children to adults, in the SCV.
For more information, please call 661-299-1966, visit www.LIFE-MIND.com , or e-mail Scott@Life-Mind.com .