Food addiction, previously referred to as "compulsive overeating" is a condition wherein a person cannot stop themselves from eating. This means they eat continuously all day, and have frequent periods where they eat much more they need to. They will feel strongly compelled to continue eating, or helpless to stop. Oftentimes, the addict feels down, or will have guilt feelings once done binging.

Food addicts don't need to be hungry to eat. There's a lot of time spent thinking about food, and when, and what to eat. In between binges, addicts will also pick at food continuously. The drive to eat for some addicts is such that it the motivation to engage in other rewarding activities diminishes and disappears, and self-control becomes difficult to impossible. Overweight or morbidly obese people are not necessarily food addicts. Sufferers may also experience sleeplessness, headaches, mood swings, or even clinical depression.

Needless to say, there are a very high number of calories consumed in a short time, despite the fact that the actual calorie consumption per sitting may or may not be large. In the absence of professional intervention, a food addiction can result in serious ailments such as: high cholesterol count, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and depression. Longer-term disorders can include kidney disease, bone disease including deterioration, stroke, and arthritis.

For many sufferers, food addiction can be successfully treated with a personalized program of a physician's care and monitoring, therapy, proper nutrition, and sometimes medication. Also, Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and other similar 12-step groups hold meetings regularly in many places, or even over the Internet.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_R.

Stage Three: The Assertive Stage

Frequently, girls who develop anorexia have a history of being friendly, protective, compliant, agreeable, and non confrontational- usually they are not assertive out side their immediate family (where they can be opposite). The third stage develops when the girl with anorexia has been criticized for becoming too thin by many around her. The girl has disregarded their scolding, and now their demands to stop losing weight and to start gaining are renewed. Around some time the girl realizes that for the first time in her life she has become defiant to everyone around her. From this point on conflict doesn't bother her. She doesn't worry about what other think or say about her actions. She doesn't feel the need to please them.

The anorexic is aware, however, that she is comfortable with this new-found defiance only in defense of her anorexia. The girl or woman does at least feel a new sense of empowerment, even if its only in this one area. It has become the area that's the most important to her. The young girl demonstrates to her family that she has reached the third stage when she begins to demand special conditions before she will eat. For example, the girl may drag her loved ones from restaurant to restaurant in search for the perfect fat-free meal or menu. At home, she may watch over whoever is cooking to make sure they aren't adding any extra calories with the meal. These are sure signs that the disorder is getting worse and help is needed.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_L._Simpson

Do you avoid confrontation for weeks on end only to blow up in one huge fight? Do you jump from one thing to the next so quickly you barely can keep track of your days anymore?

How we eat often reflects the way we live our life. You may find yourself eating a snack only to be thinking of the next treat you are going to have. Others may follow a strict diet for weeks on end, then binge eat when willpower just isn't enough.

If you eat fast, slow, mindful, or mindless; I encourage you to take a moment to think about your eating habits and how they mirror your day to day living.

If you are ready to improve your relationship with food and how it serves you, begin with these 5 questions:

1. What I am hungry for?
A fulfilling career, nourishing relationships, joyful movement, and a sense of community are all non-food sources of nourishment. These are called Primary Foods. If you are eating a "perfect" diet, but are in a dysfunctional relationship, broccoli is NOT going to solve the problem. Neither is a pint of ice cream. Examine what areas in your life may be weighing you down. Also, recognize what truly fuels you. Whether it's writing, sports, or cooking, find ways to incorporate Primary Foods into your day.

2. Am I distracted?
Be fully present when eating. The less aware we are of a meal as we eat, the more the brain will signal us to consume excess food. Notice the times when you go on automatic pilot when eating. Remind yourself to wake up and you'll find yourself being satisfied with much less. Turn off the television. Put away the magazines. Focus on your food.

3. Am I tired, stressed, or overworked?
People sometimes turn to food as a way to alleviate these feelings. Something about crunchy snacks can be quite appealing when stressed. Maybe you turn to sugar when you are feeling exhausted in the middle of the day. If you find yourself standing in front of the refrigerator asking yourself "what do I want?" also ask yourself, "Am I tired, stressed, or overworked?" In many instances, a warm bath, a nap, a brisk 15 minute walk, or a funny movie may be all you really needed..

4. Do I label foods "good" and "bad?"
Once we label food, we associate guilt or pride with the choices we make. In instances where we come home stressed and feel we deserve to pamper ourselves, we often go to "bad" foods as rewards, as if we have somehow paid our dues. This type of black and white thinking can lead to episodes of overeating, where having one cookie makes us feel like a complete failure. This can lead to consuming mass quantities, with the rationalization that we "blew it today anyway."

5. Do I enjoy what I eat and eat quality foods?
You have two choices: enjoy what you eat or don't. Life is short. If we deprive ourselves our foods we love, we will eventually crave it so badly we may overdo it. One of the best things you can do is write a list of your favorite foods and then come up with the healthiest versions of those foods. Do you love ice cream? Freeze a couple frozen bananas and blend them in a food processor for a delicious treat. Love pizza? Make your own with whole grain crusts, organic sauces, cheeses, and toppings. Be creative. Your self confidence will get a boost from the time you are setting aside to make your health a priority!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Burkett

Young girls who develop anorexia were at one time very friendly, easy going and non confrontational, for the most part they are not very outgoing outside of their immediate family. The third stage of anorexia which is called the assertive stage begins when people start to criticize the young girl for becoming too thin. The criticism is ignored and now people are telling the girl to stop losing weight and start gaining. The anorexic just realizes that people are just jealous and they will not be satisfied, everyone around her is just jealous because they can't lose as much weight.

Conflict doesn't bother the girl anymore as she becomes accustomed to it. After a while she becomes empowered in defense of her anorexic behavior. This one area in her life is very important to her and makes her feel good about herself along with her actions. The young girl confirms that she has reached the third stage when she starts to request special demands of her family for her to eat. For instance, when going out to eat with the family the young girl may not be satisfied with the menu because there is no perfect fat free meal. She will request to go from one restaurant to the other looking for that perfect meal. When at home when someone is cooking, she will monitor their cooking to make sure that they will not add any extra calories to the meal. While others see her as too thin she will believe otherwise thinking she is fine, she should decide how much she should weigh.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_L._Simpson