Does binge eating = addictive personality?

-Worried- · 03-08-2009, 11:29 PM

Hello. I've been struggling with binge eating for as long as I can remember now. I've read somewhere that some people are more prone to addiction than others. I'm not really that close to my family, but I have observed addictions in 1 close member and 2 half-members.

I've just been really afraid to try alcohol, because I don't want to end up addicted.

COtuner · 03-08-2009, 11:45 PM

I would think it's situational. My father is an alcoholic, however I have never experienced the urge to drink a lot or often. My mother binge eats. I used to binge eat as a child because food was used as reward and punishment in my house. I developed an unhealthy association with food being "happy". Add that to being alone for 18 years, and it's a wonder I didn't weigh 300 pounds.

As an adult, I don't really exhibit that behavior. I do get very very attached to certain things that I buy, though? To the point people think I'm a little nuts!

-Worried- · 03-09-2009, 12:26 AM

May I ask how you overcame binge eating?

Startoveragain · 03-09-2009, 09:47 AM

Worried,

For me I find that binge eating is part of my depression. I have certain things in my life that I find comfort in when I'm feeling sad or depressed. There's something I get out of eating a food that tastes great and eating it until I'm so full I could puke. Sadly, I've used alcohol for the same reason in the past too. The worst is when you combine the two.

I wouldn't say though that binge eating is necessarily a sign of an addictive personality disorder. I would recommend consulting a therapist though to talk about more of the behaviors you exhibit in your day to day that could tell you more about whether or not this should be a concern of yours. The other thing is to try and retrain yourself to do something productive when you're hungry. I've been trying to go to the gym when I'm hungry instead of eating when I know I've taken in enough calories in a day to sustain myself. It's hard, but retraining your brain to want something else or expect a different result when it tells you to eat can work.

I would discourage you using alcohol anyway just in case. I know a lot of alcoholics and alcoholism and happiness don't typically go hand in hand. If you can control it that could be a different story.

COtuner · 03-09-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Worried-

May I ask how you overcame binge eating?

I left for college and stayed 2000 miles away from my family at all times ever since (not just because of eating, my family and I really don't get along at all). The urge to eat went away over the next year and was replaced with other things to fill my time. It took changing my environment to break the association.

03-08-2009, 11:29 PM	#1
-Worried- Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 56	Does binge eating = addictive personality? Hello. I've been struggling with binge eating for as long as I can remember now. I've read somewhere that some people are more prone to addiction than others. I'm not really that close to my family, but I have observed addictions in 1 close member and 2 half-members. I've just been really afraid to try alcohol, because I don't want to end up addicted.

03-08-2009, 11:45 PM	#2
COtuner Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 4,102	I would think it's situational. My father is an alcoholic, however I have never experienced the urge to drink a lot or often. My mother binge eats. I used to binge eat as a child because food was used as reward and punishment in my house. I developed an unhealthy association with food being "happy". Add that to being alone for 18 years, and it's a wonder I didn't weigh 300 pounds. As an adult, I don't really exhibit that behavior. I do get very very attached to certain things that I buy, though? To the point people think I'm a little nuts!

03-09-2009, 12:26 AM	#3
-Worried- Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 56	May I ask how you overcame binge eating?

03-09-2009, 09:47 AM	#4
Startoveragain Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington State Gender: Male Posts: 36	Worried, For me I find that binge eating is part of my depression. I have certain things in my life that I find comfort in when I'm feeling sad or depressed. There's something I get out of eating a food that tastes great and eating it until I'm so full I could puke. Sadly, I've used alcohol for the same reason in the past too. The worst is when you combine the two. I wouldn't say though that binge eating is necessarily a sign of an addictive personality disorder. I would recommend consulting a therapist though to talk about more of the behaviors you exhibit in your day to day that could tell you more about whether or not this should be a concern of yours. The other thing is to try and retrain yourself to do something productive when you're hungry. I've been trying to go to the gym when I'm hungry instead of eating when I know I've taken in enough calories in a day to sustain myself. It's hard, but retraining your brain to want something else or expect a different result when it tells you to eat can work. I would discourage you using alcohol anyway just in case. I know a lot of alcoholics and alcoholism and happiness don't typically go hand in hand. If you can control it that could be a different story.