Addiction to Food

Originally published 25th January 2024 on NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page

I am 1 person, this is just my account. My addiction is food. I acknowledge it 'may' not be as damaging as other drugs.

Anyhoodle.

Someone asked about giving up a 'Thing' of choice we feel addicted to.

This was my answer and I thought I'd share it here.

I've written before about being triggered at the Doctors surgery about talk of weight loss. It's something I will always struggle with but I'm more at peace with it.

There's a lot of ignorance about the subject and I've done a lot of work on understanding compulsive eating which is why I had a big answer.

So, my thoughts:

Psychoeducation around the mechanics of an adhd brain helped me understand why and reduce shame about food addiction. Then and only when I've tackled shame can I work 'with' my addictive tendencies to figure what to do.

Reducing shame helped me connect with others i.e. community. The opposite of shame is Connection. Safe connections.

Next step is figuring what's underneath i.e. what's missing to need the buzz (partly Brain type, partly loss/boredom).

Then habits and barriers i.e. poor exec Function and impulsiveness have a hand.

Then whether meds help. Adhd meds help me feel less hyper-focussed on food. I'm very honest in that they are the biggest 'help' for me.

Then do my best. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

If I eliminate/reduce 'the thing' because I 'should', it has more power.

My drug is food. If I lean towards feeling I must reduce, I now do the opposite and gorge to get it out my system, to banish its power.

Then I naturally lose such an addiction/urge for it. I do this with self love, a hug for old me, trust in self, and big compassion for my 'need' to eat big. (Intuitive Eating frameworks for me).

I'm sure PDA has a place/connection here.

HAES also helps me explore my relationship with my larger body (Health at Every Size).

That's me with food. Just wanted to share.

Jill Audhd Counsellor.

Me, short blonde hair, white woman, wearing jeans and a black sweatshirt. I am smiling. I am standing in front of a presentation board.