COPING CHOICES: Eating disorder-what is it?
Dear Choices: Is eating disorder about more than just what you eat? I get so frustrated and confused and would like to be able to understand it.
Frustrated & confused.
Dear Frustrated,
Yes, eating disorders are a real problem in this world today. It is sometimes called ‘disordered eating’ which describes a way of thinking and behaving around food that is dysfunctional and really needs treatment. There is a continuum—from chronic dieting (a fear of food and weight gain) to the most severe, life-threatening cases of anorexia and bulemia, from compulsive and emotional food consumption that causes gradual weight gain to binge eating and obesity. The number of pounds someone weighs and their size are insufficient indicators of whether or not they have eating problems: this can only be established by examining specific patterns of behavior over time.
Food addiction involves the compulsive pursuit of mood change by engaging repeatedly in episodes of binge eating or starving despite adverse consequences. Similar to other addictions, the individual continues to use the substance compulsively, despite all judgment, reason, insight, or consequence. Such individuals are not weak-willed or immoral nor do they have a bad habit or behavioral problem. Rather, they have a metabolic, biochemical imbalance which results in the characteristic symptoms of addiction. Food addiction is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal disease. The signs of addiction are: obsession, compulsion, denial, tolerance, withdrawal syndrome and craving. Food addicts exhibit all of these signs plus distorted body image.
Here is a self-diagnosis checklist:
1) Has anyone ever told you that you have a problem with food? 2) Do you think food is a problem for you? 3) Do you eat a large amount of high calorie food in a short period of time? 4) Do you eat when you are disappointed, tense or anxious? 5) Can you stop eating without a struggle? 6) Has your eating ever affected any part of your life? 7) Has being overweight ever affected any part of your life? 8) Do you weigh yourself once or twice (or more) a day? 9) Do you eat more than you planned to eat? 10) Have you hidden food so you would have it just for yourself? 11) Have you felt angry when someone ate food you saved for yourself? 12) Do you worry that you can’t control how much you eat? 13) Have you ever felt frantic about your size, shape, or weight? 14) How many of these methods of weight loss have you tried in the past? Self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, fasting, compulsive exercise, amphetamines, cocaine, over-the-counter diet pills or gum, chewing and spitting out food, acupuncture, acupressure, hypnosis, urine shots, special food, drinks, and supplement, weight loss programs: How many? How often? 15) Have you ever felt so ashamed of the amount you eat that you hide your eating? 16) Have you been so upset about the way you eat that you wished you would die? 17) Do you overeat more than twice a week? 18) Do you purge? How often? 19) Do you invent plans in order to be alone to eat? 20) Do you want to change the way you eat?
If you answered yes to 9 or more of the above questions, you may have a problem. It is important to seek help if what you are doing is not working.
Please send your questions regarding mental health, addiction, co-dependency, finances, divorce, self-esteem, anger, parenting, grief/loss issues, or life adjustments. Questions will be selected for the greatest appeal for the general public and will be educational in nature. More personal confidential questions will be responded to individually. Nancy M. Smith, LCSW, LAC, Choices for Change Counseling, P.O. Box 622, Superior, MT 59872, 406-822-5422 or 406-649-2761 - choices@blackfoot.net