Food addiction or binge-eating disorder is a serious health condition in which you are unable to stop eating.
Nearly all of us eat more on some special occasions or holiday meals. However, some people take large amounts of food and it becomes a habit.
No matter how you try to control eating, this food addiction may drive you to overeating. This disorder can be treated with the help of various treatments.
Symptoms
It is interesting to note that some people with food addiction are at normal weight, while others are overweight or obese.
Emotional and behavioral symptoms of food addiction are listed below:
The severity of this disorder is measured based on the occurrences of binge-eating episodes in a week’s time.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a discussion about your eating habits and other psychological evaluations by your doctor.
To determine the possible consequences of food addiction, your doctor will do tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleeping disorders and GERD.
These tests will consists of:
Treatment
The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the urge to eat more and form healthy eating habits.
As this disorder can result in shame, poor self-esteem and other negative emotions, psychological therapy will be recommended.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT can help your recover from negative emotions and improve your mood. It also helps you form and maintain healthy eating patterns.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Unhealthy relationships and poor communication skills can trigger binge-eating. This therapy can help you in relating to others and in improving your interpersonal skills.
Dialectical behavior therapy
This therapy may help you endure stress, control your emotions and nurture your relationships with others. Eventually, all these can prevent binge eating episodes.
Medications
Though these medicines can help you to overcome food addiction, they can’t reduce your body weight.
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