Psychology.com
home Therapist Directory Professional Advice Self Discovery Self-Help Library Articles Shop

 

Addictive Eating: Are You Powerless Over Food?

by Dr. Ilona L. Tobin

The holidays of winter often bring to mind the image of a full table—and a full stomach. We gather with friends and family and feast merrily on pies and potatoes, turkey and ham and all of the fixings that many of us dearly enjoy.

There is another side to that pretty picture, however.

What if our extra consumption of calories during the winter is fueled not by good cheer and companionship, but by anxiety? And, further, what if it’s not the gathering of loved ones that we most look forward to, but the food that we can’t get out of our minds?

Also, while we may welcome gatherings with friends and family, they do bring with them extra stress and preparation. Add to the mix the anxiety caused by a sputtering economy, and many of us might find ourselves reaching for “comfort” food.

An anxiety-provoked behavior, such as overeating, is an attempt to cope with that anxiety, but as with most such behaviors, it can become a problem itself. Overeating can become a compulsion and lead to health issues such as diabetes and obesity.

This is not to say that you should reflexively turn down that second piece of pumpkin pie, but if you were dreaming of that pie for days, and if, in fact, you care more about that pie than the people around you, then you may have a problem that needs attention.

According to Overeaters Anonymous, here are a few other common markers of compulsive eating:

  1. Do you eat when you’re not hungry?
  2. Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
  3. Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
  4. Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
  5. Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
  6. Do you resent others telling you to “use a little willpower” to stop overeating?
  7. Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet “on your own” whenever you wish?
  8. Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
  9. Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?

If you think that you might be overeating compulsively, it is possible to recover. Help is available through the 12-Step programs Overeaters Anonymous and Food Addicts Anonymous, as well as a therapist or counselor.

With the help and support of others, you can uncover the reasons behind your compulsive eating, find other strategies for coping with anxiety and get on a food program that can sustain and, even, restore your health.

While you may still have those dreams about that second piece of pumpkin pie, you can also live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life without it.

Ilona Tobin has been a psychologist and a marriage and family therapist for more than 25 years in Birmingham, Michigan. For more information, please visit her listing on the Therapist Directory.

54 Responses to “Addictive Eating: Are You Powerless Over Food?”

  1. William-Julian Eugene Lacey Says:

    Good Stuff

  2. Morgan Caretto Says:

    Good day I am so excited I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

  3. http://www.pitch-putt.com/wiki/index.php?title=Garcinia_Cambogia_Decide_On_Assessment Says:

    Great article.

  4. Debbie Ocanaz Says:

    this post has made my day . It’s been a while that I’m dealing with those health issues .

  5. Lucien Almas Says:

    I in addition to my guys ended up examining the nice tips from your website and so all of the sudden came up with a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to the web blog owner for those tips. Most of the young boys had been as a result passionate to study them and have absolutely been loving them. Thank you for actually being really accommodating and then for using certain smart subject areas millions of individuals are really desperate to understand about. My personal honest apologies for not saying thanks to you earlier.

  6. raspberry ketone plus Says:

    Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice post.

  7. online restaurant reservation Says:

    Their like you understand my head! You appear to grasp lots about this, such as you wrote the actual book in it or anything. I have faith that you can do with a few r. chemical. to be able to electric power the material household a little bit, but instead of this, that may be amazing website. An amazing examine. We’ll definitely come back.

  8. iPhone 4 Fundas Says:

    It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  9. safe over the counter safe over the counter pain meds for dogs Says:

    This paragraph is truly a pleasant one it helps new net users,
    who are wishing for blogging.

    Check out my blog … safe over the counter safe over the counter pain meds for dogs

  10. pro lean forskolin review Says:

    This is extremely amazing, You might be a quite skilled digg. I have got become a member of the give food to and check ahead to help inside pursuit of additional of your great post. As well, I’ve got provided your blog during my internet sites

  11. teeth whitening products Elk Grove Says:

    What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this
    I’ve discovered It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads.

    I hope to contribute & help other customers like its aided me.
    Great job.

    my page teeth whitening products Elk Grove

  12. root canal therapy Elk Grove Says:

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but
    after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow,
    just wanted to say excellent blog!

    Look at my web-site; root canal therapy Elk Grove

  13. Alton Says:

    I read a lot of interesting articles here. Probably
    you spend a lot of time writing, i know how
    to save you a lot of work, there is an online tool that creates unique,
    SEO friendly posts in seconds, just search in google – laranita free content source

  14. personalized college football jerseys Says:

    Hey! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!

  15. Sunny Says:

    After going over a few of the blog articles on your site, I really like
    your technique of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and tell me how you feel.

  16. music Says:

    Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this site regularly, this site is genuinely nice and the visitors are in fact sharing fastidious
    thoughts.

  17. supplier sprei harga murah Says:

    Verry shortly tbis wevsite աill Ьe famous amog аll blog people, ⅾue tо
    іt’ѕ fastidious posts

    Silahkan Ceek weeb Kaami buatt mendapatkan Info
    lebih lengkap lagi tentang supplier sprei harga murah .
    Thsnks ʏa

  18. jasa pembasmi rayap Says:

    A fasxinating discuission iѕ worfh ϲomment.
    Ⅰ dⲟ believe tһаt уou neeԁ
    tο publish more οn thіs subject,
    іt may not bee a tanoo matter Ƅut սsually
    folks ⅾߋn’t talk about ѕuch issues.

    Tօ tһе neҳt! Manny thanks!!

    Jangann lupa untuk Kunjungi halaman website Akuu untuk dapat Fakya Menari
    mengeenai jasa pembasmi rayap .
    Terima Kasih

  19. anti rayap jakarta Says:

    whoah this weblog is fantastic i like studying ykur articles.
    Stay uр tҺе ɡreat work!
    Υοu ɑlready кnow, many people aгe ⅼooking
    round ffor tis іnformation, youu саn ɦelp
    tҺеm greatly.

    Janngan lupa untuk Kunjuungi halaman web Saaya buat mendapat Fakta lebih lengkap mengenai anti rayap jakarta .
    Suwun

  20. jasa basmi rayap jakarta Says:

    I աas mⲟre than haρpy too discover thiis website.

    ӏ wаnted to thank yоu forr yօur time duee tto tɦis wonderful
    read!! I dеfinitely ⅼiked every littⅼe bit of itt ɑnd
    ӏ have yyou book marked tο look at nnew information on your
    blog.

    Kunjungi site Kami hanya untuk mendaptkan Informasi
    lebih lengkap lagi mengenai jasa basmi rayap jakarta .
    Ƭhanks ya

  21. jas pria Says:

    Ԍood ԝay օf explaining, and goopd post tо ցet facts regaгding my presentation subject, ѡhich i am going
    to deliver inn college.

    Jangan luupa untuk Kunjungi website Aku demi dspat Informasi lebih lengkap
    tentang jas pria .
    Suwun

  22. Buildbox Crack full version patch Says:

    You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually something which I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very wide for me. I’m looking forward in your next submit, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!

  23. Ross Dommel Says:

    Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!

  24. Www.Foxboropizza.Com Says:

    Helpful information. Privileged us I ran across your website by accident, that i’m stunned why this kind of collision wouldn’t took place sooner! We added it food net work.

  25. http://buythechesapeake.com/ Says:

    Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges.
    It was really informative. Your website is useful. Many thanks for sharing!

  26. Dr. Ilona L. Tobin Says:

    Glad You found it helpful.

  27. Clyde Says:

    Hiya very nice site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am satisfied to search out a lot of helpful info here within the post, we want work out more
    strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. .
    . . . .

  28. Kurt Says:

    Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and detailed information you offer.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while
    that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  29. Laurence Says:

    I really like reading a post that can make people think.
    Also, thank you for allowing for me to comment!

  30. paintingvintage Says:

    I found you on Twitter and really liked your profile pic so I check out your website. yesssssss

  31. Sheridan Yaklich Says:

    Hi you have a fine website Thank you for sharing with us good job

  32. click here Says:

    Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject.
    Actually Excellent. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

  33. Visit Here Says:

    That is really attention-grabbing, You are a very professional blogger.
    I have joined your feed and sit up for looking for more of your great post.
    Additionally, I have shared your web site in my
    social networks!

  34. click Says:

    It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am
    happy that you shared this helpful information with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  35. click Here Says:

    I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for posting.

  36. click Says:

    I?m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that?s equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The issue is something not enough people are speaking
    intelligently about. I am very happy that I
    came across this in my search for something concerning this.

  37. daftar di sini Says:

    Merely wanna remark on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the content is very excellent :
    D.

  38. hp yang tersedia fitur nfc Says:

    Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking
    a few minutes and actual effort to generate a top notch article?
    but what can I say? I hesitate a whole lot
    and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  39. craft ideas compilation Says:

    This design is wicked! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.

    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
    I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you
    presented it. Too cool!

  40. click here Says:

    I conceive this internet site has very wonderful indited written content articles.

  41. click here Says:

    I got what you intend,saved to bookmarks, very nice website.

  42. click here Says:

    Hello I am so delighted I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while
    I was researching on Google for something else,
    Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks
    for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don?t have time to look over it
    all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb b.

  43. read more Says:

    I got what you mean,saved to favorites, very decent website.

  44. visit here Says:

    Hello. splendid job. I did not imagine this.
    This is a splendid story. Thanks!

  45. click here Says:

    Hurrah! After all I got a weblog from where I know how to really get useful information concerning my study and knowledge.

  46. visit here Says:

    Hello. splendid job. I did not imagine this. This is a excellent story.

    Thanks!

  47. 2019 toyota celica hatchback Says:

    This internet site is my aspiration, really excellent style
    and Perfect content material.

  48. click Says:

    Fine way of describing, and fastidious paragraph to get data
    on the topic of my presentation subject matter, which i am going to
    present in college.

  49. baca selanjutnya Says:

    I would like to point out my love for your generosity giving support to folks who need assistance with that area of
    interest. Your personal dedication to getting the message along has been certainly
    good and has continuously empowered some individuals like me
    to realize their endeavors. This invaluable recommendations denotes this much a person like me
    and even further to my colleagues. Best
    wishes; from everyone of us.

  50. baca selanjutnya Says:

    Hi there to every single one, it’s truly a good for me to pay a visit this web site, it includes valuable
    Information.

Leave a Reply