FOOD ADDICTION Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment in 8 Steps

1. What Is Food Addiction?

When we hear addiction, drug addiction, alcohol and smoking come to mind first. In recent years, it has been shown that we can also become addicted to substances we consider healthy, such as food. It may never have occurred to you that eating could be called an addiction. In this article, we will discuss food addiction, a scientifically defined addiction with specific treatment strategies that is extremely difficult to manage.

Food addiction is an increasingly researched subject today. Like addictive drugs and alcohol, foods cause the release of dopamine and similar chemicals called neurotransmitters in our brain. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine activate the brain’s reward system, producing pleasure, relaxation and satisfaction. This is thought to explain why people buy chocolate to reward themselves or choose special foods outside their daily meals, and food addiction is thought to share pathways with alcohol and substance addiction.

2. Is Food Addiction a Disease?

Food addiction is a clinical presentation that is increasingly researched and thought to share neurological pathways with addiction. It is believed to be strongly associated with obesity and eating disorders. Because its diagnostic criteria and treatment have not yet been definitively established, calling it a clinical presentation or disorder would currently be more accurate. In particular, a strong association with the following eating disorders is suspected and being investigated:

Binge Eating Disorder – Binge Eating: This means eating much more than normal within a short time during recurring periods, to the point of physical discomfort. It is the most common form of eating disorder. Emotional distress, regret, remorse and guilt may follow eating episodes. According to a study by the National Eating Disorders Association in America, binge eating disorder occurs in %2 of men and %3,5 of women. According to information in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, binge eating at least once a week for 3 months and an emotional disturbance resulting from this behavior indicate binge eating disorder.

Bulimia Nervosa: Like people with binge eating disorder, those with this condition feel emotional guilt, remorse and regret after episodes of excessive eating. However, individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, using medicines that cause diarrhea and restricting food for a period to eliminate the excess calories consumed. The desire to get rid of consumed calories in this disorder stems from fear of gaining weight or becoming obese. Frequent self-induced vomiting can cause dehydration, heart problems, malnutrition, damage to teeth and the brain, and even blindness in advanced cases.

Night Eating Syndrome: This syndrome involves binge eating at night. Individuals eat substantial amounts at night despite feeling very little or no hunger during the day or night. Disruption of normal sleep patterns or emotional disorders is thought to cause the syndrome. People with this syndrome, under stress due to inability to sleep , choose to eat at night to comfort themselves.

3. What Are the Symptoms of Food Addiction, and Who Can Be Called a Food Addict?

Ongoing studies suggest that individuals showing the following symptoms may be considered food addicts.

• An uncontrollable desire to eat,
• A desire to eat repeatedly for the emotional pleasure and comfort of eating
• An effort to continue overeating despite a health problem,
• Failure despite a strong desire to stop,
• Eating quickly and within a short time, inability to control the amount, frequency and timing, 
• Negative effects on family, work and social life,
• Constantly trying to move family, work or social life into settings involving food, attempting to normalize one’s addiction by involving others in these settings,
• Eating alone and secretly to avoid attracting others’ attention, 
• Depression as a result of continual eating, anxiety occurring, followed by anger, sadness and loneliness in an attempt to suppress these feelings,
• Trying to stop overeating because of guilt, remorse and loss of self-confidence.

4. Are There Foods That Cause Food Addiction?

In contrast to natural foods, sugary and high-fat processed foods in particular are thought to increase dopamine release excessively. Excess dopamine release eventually causes receptors to lose sensitivity, and because the amount released no longer produces the same pleasure and relief, the person turns to eating more. Individuals who consume these types of foods excessively are particularly at risk of food addiction.

5. How Common Is Food Addiction in Society?

Obesity is a serious health problem in our country, and more than %20 of adults are obese and %34 are overweight. Although all individuals with food addiction gain weight, we cannot say that every obese or overweight individual is addicted to food.

In studies conducted in America:

• %10 of underweight individuals, %6,3 of normal-weight individuals and %14 of overweight individuals are addicted to food.
• This rate in obesity patients is %33.

What is surprising is that a substantial proportion of underweight individuals are also addicted to food (for example, by consuming only certain foods).

6. Is Food Addiction CONTAGIOUS?

The use of food rewards by family members with food addiction to reward or control their children may make this disease contagious. Children subjected to such treatment are considered at risk of food addiction later in life. In addition, a person with food addiction tries to involve people around them in the same setting within the family, work or social environment to ease their emotions and conscience. The family, colleagues and friends who adapt to this seemingly appealing environment become at risk of food addiction.

7. What Should Be the First Step in Treating Food Addiction?

First, it should be explained that this condition is a disease and can be treated with the right strategies. Healthy eating education should be provided, and patients should be informed about the health problems unhealthy eating causes in the human body. It should be explained that treatment may be lengthy and success will come from adopting a new dietary and lifestyle pattern. In fact, the most important first step is awareness and comprehensive educationtogether.

8. Is There a Role for Medical Treatment in Food Addiction?

Food addiction treatment is multidimensional, based on its underlying emotional, physical and psychological causes. Underlying mental health problems in particular should be identified and treated with appropriate medicines. The individual’s depressionand anxiety disorders may require medical treatment. Support from a psychiatrist and psychologist can be extremely important. Medicines are used to control depression and anxiety, thereby preventing the overeating urges these conditions cause. In particular, serotonin reuptake blockers (reuptake inhibitors), also called SSRİ, which increase serotonin’s effect in our brain, may be used. This group of medicines has been observed to produce good results in binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa and eating disorders. Citalopram, fluoxetine, escitalopram, sertraline and paroxetine are commonly used SSRI medicines. However, a psychiatrist must determine which medicine will be effective for these patients. Individuals should not choose medicines themselves or use them without medical supervision.

Are There Potentially Effective Methods Other Than Medical Treatment?

Solution-Focused Therapy: This approach aims to eliminate the cause of the eating disorder. For example, for someone with work-related stress, it aims to treat the eating disorder by eliminating that stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This treatment method is based on explaining the overeating habit and overcoming this behavior. It also helps relieve the effects of the eating disorder and stress. It is delivered individually with a psychologist or in groups of people experiencing the same problem.

Trauma Therapy: It aims to treat the eating disorder by overcoming the trauma or repressed pain that caused it.

Treatment with a Diet Plan: This treatment method is used to establish healthy eating habits. These individuals may also lack certain beneficial nutrient groups because of poor eating habits. With guidance from a nutrition specialist, they can be directed toward appropriate choices.

Eating disorders are treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Inpatient treatment is recommended for patients who have a mental disorder and substance addiction in addition to an eating disorder.

In conclusion, binge eating disorder is becoming an increasingly widespread health problem worldwide. Although food addiction may not appear as serious as alcohol or drug addiction, it creates a serious physical and psychological emotional burden. With comprehensive treatment methods, individuals can overcome eating disorders and achieve a healthy and happy life.