There
are several different kinds of food addiction, and all
are characterized by a obsession with food, weight,
and body image. Food addictions are similar to other
addictions in that they are all obsessional (thinking
about something over and over) and compulsional (doing
the same behavior over and over). Food addictions involve
more complex mind-body interactions, however, than other
types of addictions, since we all need to eat to exist.
Food addictions are very common in our society, especially
since foods are used by so many for emotional comfort
and to connect with others. Since our society places
such a high value on thinness, especially for women,
it makes sense that so many people would be extremely
conscious of their weight.
With
all addictions, including food addictions, fear is at
the root. The person who is struggling with the addiction,
however, may or may not be aware that they are afraid,
or if they are, know exactly what they are afraid of,
the source of the fear, or how to resolve it without
using their addiction. All addictions, including food,
give the person a sense of relief from an emotional
pressure, but do not give them release. As a result,
the person struggles with the addiction, for example,
binging, or binging and purging (bulimia) or not eating
much, or not eating at all for periods of time (anorexia)
but never gets to resolve the complex of emotions that
create the need for relief. The person is then caught
in the endless repetitive cycle of repeating the behavior,
feeling better for a short time, and then suffering
a buildup of emotion (fear, sadness, guilt, shame, anger)
which leads them back to the repetitive cycle. If the
person attempts to change the behavior without resolving
the emotional complex that causes it, there may be temporary
success, but the addictive cycle will start again, lowering
self-esteem, and increasing a sense of helplessness
and hopelessness.
To
break this cycle, effective psychotherapy addresses
three things simultaneously.
These
are:
1.
A person's thinking patterns, which include long-held
beliefs that the person has about body image and relationships.
(See "Addictions" "Adults with Troubled Childhoods").
2.
A person's way of recognizing, tolerating, and expressing
their emotions, which include control issues
3.
A person's habitual ways of using food and body image
as a main vehicle for creating relief of tension and
gaining a temporary feeling of satisfaction. As these
things are addressed, the person starts to gain a new
sense of what their true motivations are, a greater
feeling of control over thoughts, emotions, and behaviors,
and a new freedom to pursue personal goals. For many
people this involves a brand new sense of identity and
priorities, which has been hidden from them since childhood.
Can
we help you? Schedule an appointment today! 15720 Ventura
Blvd. Suite 520 Encino CA 91436 Tel: 818-906-7079
