![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Charm on June 23, 2004, at 13:30:28
Hello - I was wondering if anyone posting here aside from myself suffers from a food addiction. In my case, it consists primarily of overeating and wanting to constantly eat. Part of it comes from my meds, but the majority of it comes from a need to medicate with food --- its the easiest way I know to add something pleasurable to my day. I would appreciate any responses.
Charm
Posted by 2ndXround on June 24, 2004, at 4:30:15
In reply to Food Addiction, posted by Charm on June 23, 2004, at 13:30:28
Hi
Interesting you mention food addiction.
I have an addictive personality...inotherwords, I am an addict. I use drugs, alcohol and food.
I have been anorexic since I was 15. Not eating made me feel good just as eating makes you feel good. It also made me hate myself and feel disgusted with myself. I was able to gain control over food about 3 years ago. I am not cured, but I have it under control...because I know I have no control over it if I allow it into my life again.
Now I am working on drug/alcohol...and taking control of my entire life again.
Have you talked to your doctor about changing meds? Has he ever mentioned antidepressants? If you are eating to feel good, perhaps you are depressed. True, antidep can make some people gain weight, but they make other people lose weight...and if depression/anxiety is causing you to crave foods in order to feel better, it might help.
I can tell you that antidep did not work for me...probably because I have an addictive personality. Although I have suffered from depression/anxiety most of my life, I am unable to stop drinking/using even when I am not depressed..even when I am happy and feeling good I crave it.
But if you are eating because you are depressed and food is the only thing that makes you happy, then meds might work.
Being addicted is awful, especially when you have no idea why you can't live without it, when you know it is going to make you hate yourself. In fact, when you take it knowing you will feel worse then before...addiction gives you no pleasure.
Is that what food does to you?
Posted by antigua on June 24, 2004, at 10:19:59
In reply to Re: Food Addiction, posted by 2ndXround on June 24, 2004, at 4:30:15
Hello, something caught my eye in your post. You don't have to answer of course, and you can freely tell me to mind my own business.
But, you said in your post that you got control of your anorexia about 3 years ago. Is that when you started using again? Is there any relationship at all? I only say this because I know there is one for me.
antigua
Posted by 2ndXround on June 24, 2004, at 20:38:09
In reply to Re: Food Addiction..Question » 2ndXround, posted by antigua on June 24, 2004, at 10:19:59
Hi Antigua
Gosh, no problem. I don't mind answering any question about myself.
Good pick-up! Like I said, I always seem to need something in my life to help me. If I control one thing, something else seems to take it's place!
I started using again after over 20 years....I had become out of control with my anorexia and got down to 94 lbs (I'm 5'6"). There was LOTS of stress in my life at the time... after you mentioned it...I realized that just about the same time I gained control of my anorexia was when I started using again.
Didn't even dawn on me until you mentioned the time frame!
I knew I had no choice I think. The anorexia was going to kill me too soon for comfort...drugs and alcohol was not such a direct means (sounds dumb..I know).
What about you???? If you don't mind me asking?
Posted by antigua on June 25, 2004, at 10:20:19
In reply to Re: Food Addiction..Question » antigua, posted by 2ndXround on June 24, 2004, at 20:38:09
Thanks for answering. I didn't realize how much of a connection I had between alcohol and eating disorders until your post, really. It just seems that it has to be one or the other. If I don't drink then I don't eat. When I drink, I eat. It's so bizarre. They are both coping mechanisms, I realize of course, they are old ones that just don't seem to work anymore. I can't drink, but I don't want to die either.
So how do we replace these destructive habits? Furthermore, what do we replace them with? That is the million dollar question because for me, the defenses are related to childhood abuse and until I get over that I don't know how I could develop a brand new coping mechanism. I mean, it's too ingrained.
Fascinating connection. Can't believe I really missed it all these years. Thank you so much. But again, knowing what's wrong and fixing it are two different things.
Thanks,
antigua
Posted by 2ndXround on June 26, 2004, at 8:23:57
In reply to Re: Food Addiction..Question » 2ndXround, posted by antigua on June 25, 2004, at 10:20:19
Hi
It's my million dollar question too.
In fact I have even lowered my standards. I am willing to replace my destructive behaviour with just OK behaviour as opposed to healthy behaviour!
Interesting....I came from an abusive childhood also. Both my parents were alcoholics...my dad died of alcoholism when he was only 56. My mom was an abusive, mean alcoholic....and wouldn't you know she is still alive.
My coping mechanisms are pretty ingrained too. I was expected to be perfect in everything...and I was always frightened I had not done something good enough. I tried to hide, not be seen when I was a child. I never knew what to expect...if I had done something wrong. Of course, just being born was a mistake my mom reminded me of all the time. I ruined her life.
Oh well....any ideas for some better coping mechanisms? Like I said...they don't even have to be real good ones! I am willing to get a 'blankie', suck my thumb, bite my nails (Oh...I already do that)....instead of using food and alcohol.....(:....
Let me know if you have any great ideas.
Take care
Posted by Nataliee on July 2, 2004, at 17:01:15
In reply to Re: Food Addiction..Question, posted by 2ndXround on June 26, 2004, at 8:23:57
Hello!
Whenever i'm depressed, I eat food (or smoke pot, or drink or all three). I try to keep all "bad" foods (high fat,high carb,high sugar low vitamins) out of my house so i'll only indulge in healthier things. I'm also OCD, so control over food, what i eat , how i eat it and where and when all effect my eating too. Ice cream is often my best friend after an episode of extreme sadness. I'll have the whole 2 litres (i'm canadian, thats half a gallon or so for you's in the USA)if someone else doesn't intervene. Sometimes i'll throw it up afterward...and you can see where that easily could go.
I think food is one of the first things that we learn regulate ourselves at a young age. Most people just learn to eat when they're hungry, but some of us realise one of the other "benefits" of food is the high it can give (Thank God for chocolate!) So, we start playing around with how food makes us feel in other ways...How we can control our body size and mood with food. Thats when things can get out of control.
Over the past few months, i've been medicating a lot less with food, almost getting a high from the new control i have over NOT eating...something that hopefully won't slip into the other direction...Instead of course, i drink a little more, and smoke quite a bit more (i fight the muchies with different flavoured gum) so, i've lost weight (which gets me out excersising a lot more) so, its been good. Of course i will always be fighting for that elusive balance, that "inner peace" i think many of us have a hard time finding.
You're not alone though, we're all in this one together as human beings, existing ina world where food tastes a hell of a lot better than it used to, where you can't go anywhere without being told what you should try, buy or eat.thanks,
Nat.
Posted by gradstudent on July 10, 2004, at 13:07:14
In reply to Food Addiction, posted by Charm on June 23, 2004, at 13:30:28
Yes, Charm. I have bingea eating disorder. Have for 20 years. Still have not recovered, but there is medicinal help. You should look into Wellbutrin, and Topamax, and also Prozac-- which I am on now, but just for a little while. All of these have proven to reduces binging. I don not purge, never have. Unfortunately, could not stay on WB, b/c of an allergic reaction, and my doc thinks I should see if Prozac alone can do the rick. But I am telling you, Topamax is really quite amazing in reducing addictive behavior. Plus there is therapy, though I am not sure how truly successful that is, from my experience. But I believ a mix of both, and a lot of honesty, may help us replace old coping mechanisms with new ones. Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Substance Use | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.