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Is Over Eating An Addiction

(84 Posts)
Deedaa Sun 15-Oct-17 22:37:51

But alcohol, nicotine and drug addiction all start as something the addict can control, and the same is true of food. In fact food is the most difficult addiction because, while you can live without cigarettes or drugs, you can't live without food so giving up isn't an option and you are left struggling with the constant temptation.

Prader - Willi syndrome is not an addiction it is a genetic disorder.

cornergran Sun 15-Oct-17 22:21:40

You sound worried serkeen if so it would be sensible to get professional help. I wonder, have you thought of talking with a counsellor? Please be kind to yourself. I'm sorry there is so much pain in your life and hope you can get some help. Sending hugs and a wish for an easier time very soon.

MawBroon Sun 15-Oct-17 22:20:42

I think it seriously undermines the true nature of addiction when the term is applied to something like eating (or in the case of Harvey Weinstein) sex.
There is a rare and very serious genetic disorder where a person has no control over their appestat called Prader-Willi Syndrome. There is no cure, and it often leads to Type2 diabetes, heart problems and other physical and psychological problems but anybody unfortunate enough to have a child with this condition would regard what you describe serkeen as something entirely under your control.
If you overeat -that is called gluttony not addiction.

M0nica Sun 15-Oct-17 22:05:18

I would worry more about someone with a perfect diet who never deviated from it than someone who has bouts of overeating when stressed.

I read an interesting article by a psychiatrist recently who did not believe in addiction as a mental illness but more as a dysfunctional way of coping with the difficulties in the addict's lives. Over eaters often admit that their overeating is closely related to how they feel, when life is good they eat sensibly, when life is difficult they eat to fill the void in their lives.

I find that I tend to feel permanently hungry when I am tired, or overstretched and running fast in order to go slowly backwards or, as last week, when there was a big change in the weather when the pretence that was summer this year suddenly changed gear and went full throttle for autumn with a sudden drop in temperature.

I try to deal with it by facing up to the problem and simply planning to eat more at meal times: bigger portions, extra items etc in order to stop mindless nibbling. It usually works. At the end of a short period like that I may have put on a couple of pounds but I try and lose them as soon as possible. Sometimes small weight gains just disappear over a few weeks

Serkeen Sun 15-Oct-17 21:23:09

I do ask myself that question cornergran but I can not have what I do want so I eat, I eat because I feel that if I don't I wont be able to get through the pain/in happiness barrier, eating is the only thing that gets me through and it does feel like a drug

cornergran Sun 15-Oct-17 21:18:42

Sometimes it's a coping strategy and so seen and felt as helpful. Gets me through a day now and again, if it's more than that then perhaps a good idea to think about the triggers and if necessary talk it through with someone, friend, family or counsellor. Don't build it in your head to be more than it is though. A really useful question to ask yourself. when it begins is 'what do I really want right now'.? It can help find other ways to cope. Please don't worry too much, seek help if it's really bothering you.

Serkeen Sun 15-Oct-17 21:17:49

no self control can be deemed I believe as an addiction because an alcoholic has no self control which is why he can not stop drinking..am I right ?

morethan2 Sun 15-Oct-17 21:12:48

I’m sitting here stuffing myself. Every week I tell myself I’ll stop. I don’t think I’m addicted I just think I have no self control. None what’s so ever. I’m ashamed. Obviously not ashamed enough to stop.

Serkeen Sun 15-Oct-17 21:07:52

I believe it is.. because when I am upset I CAN NOT stop myself from eating. I have had a terrible few days, were I have not been able to eat sensibly and portion control has gone right out of the window.

I am a very sensible person, always have been but in the past few years I feel that I have obtained a food addiction were I have periods, luckily they do not last long, were I can not stop myself from eating, were I completely loose control all together

So my question.. is overeating and Addiction do you think?