Wean yourself from addiction
We most certainly know about addiction — addiction to drugs, alcohol or to gambling, for instance. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
When you find food satisfying you less and less, or when you get anxiety attacks or become agitated, then you may be addicted to certain foods.
Also, one may experience emotions such as self loathing, guilt, anxiety or even depression.
The problem starts when you start to feel that you need to eat more and more food to reduce negative emotions or increase pleasure.
We most certainly know about addiction — addiction to drugs, alcohol or to gambling, for instance.
But did you know that there are other forms of addictions? Some are life threatening while others could be harmful. Addiction is when someone has no control over what they are doing, taking or using something that may be harmful to them.
You know you are addicted to something when you can’t control whatever you are addicted to, or become dependent on it. Addiction can seriously damage a person’s work and relationships, besides resulting in serious psychological and physical effects.
Common foods that people get addicted to include sugar, fat and salt. Increased dopamin transmission from the brain is triggered by these foods, causing the feeling of needing to eat again. This feeling may may override other signals of fullness and satisfaction.
When addicted to food, one continues to eat despite the negative consequences, such as weight gain or damaged relationships. Like any other addiction, once someone is addicted to food, one has trouble stopping their behaviour, even after trying many times to cut back.
When you find food satisfying you less and less, or when you get anxiety attacks or become agitated, then you may be addicted to certain foods.
Also, one may experience emotions such as self loathing, guilt, anxiety or even depression.
The problem starts when you start to feel that you need to eat more and more food to reduce negative emotions or increase pleasure.
This is called emotional eating. Learn other ways to manage those feelings, like talking to a friend, reading a magazine or book, or listening to music.
Other forms of addictions include work (workaholic) shopping (shopaholic), and spending too much time on the screen (computer, internet, phones, etc).
Find alternative habits or distracting yourself from eating to relieve emotional feelings. Try meditation or counselling.
Think about food as source of nutrition and energy instead of something to relieve stress or anxiety.
