Food Addiction

Food addiction is an eating disorder that is characterised by uncontrollable or compulsive eating in response to emotions such as stress, anger and fear.  It is often associated with eating disorders such as:

• Bulimia

• Anorexia

• Binge eating

Food addicts suffer from uncontrollable cravings which can lead to weight gain and food addiction. A regular session with your psychotherapist can help you control your eating addiction and cope with other symptoms such as trigger foods and compulsive overeating. If you need to talk to a psychotherapist in Perth, Call Energetics Institute today!

How can a Psychotherapist Help You?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is used to cure food addiction. It is a psychological approach that focuses on helping you change undesirable behaviour, feelings and emotions that triggers your condition. Your psychotherapist will help you understand the nature of your condition through assessment and regular sessions. It is essential that you understand and admit to the situation as it can help you cope with your symptoms. Admitting to the problem is a significant step towards treatment. It will also help you control your food addiction issues.

What is Food Addiction?

There are different types of food addiction such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating. Each of them manifests around food consumption and has different symptoms. These conditions are curable through the help of therapy and medication. However, you need to cooperate with the treatment process to achieve a positive result. People who suffer from occasional food cravings are not necessarily categorised as food addicts. It is normal to suffer from occasional food cravings for a specific period. It only goes wrong if uncontrolled, Symptoms include:

Cravings despite feeling full – You still crave food even after a nutritious meal. Cravings are motivated by your urges to eat. It is normal to crave food. This is common in today’s society with junk foods as they have chemicals in them that make you crave them.

Uncontrollable eating – Food addicts cannot control their eating urges which can lead to binge eating. There is no such thing as eating in moderation with food addicts. Eating a slice of cake will not suffice the binge eater. A slice will always turn to 2 or even finish the whole cake.

Feeling guilty about the amount that you eat and still overeating – You are feeling guilty because of your bad eating habits around particular foods such as junk food. But you still keep on eating more of what is intended. It is wise to seek psychotherapy if you are in this situation. Be honest and trust your psychotherapist.

Hiding from others while eating – It is hard to admit to your eating disorder issues. At this point, you are still in denial and on the process of convincing yourself that you are fine. Food addicts tend to hide while consuming their food. They often do it alone in the car, at home or late at night when everyone is asleep.

Making excuses – People with food addiction convince themselves with excuses when faced with their urges. Your brain mechanism is complicated that you will reason out to satisfy your food cravings. With this, you will feel in control of your “self” and eating habits.

Food Addiction – The Conclusion

Psychotherapy is an effective psychological treatment for food craving addiction. See your therapist for assessment as early as you can. Do not wait for your condition to worsen. Seek help now.

If you’re struggling with any kind of addiction and feel that you require assistance we provide Addiction Counselling services in Perth to help people overcome their addiction issues.