Twin Dragons Part 2

Yesterday we talked a little about impulsivity and how it can play a role in food addiction. Today we’ll discuss compulsivity, it’s evil twin. 

                             Exercise: Are You A Compulsive Person

1. When I see or smell my “food fix” (for me that is carbs or fried food), I can’t stop myself from trying it.   True. Especially the smell

2. Once I start eating a food I like or feel I’m addicted to I can’t stop myself.   True. My self-discipline can be curiously strong about things like alcohol and fidelity but food is my new kryptonite.

3. I eat to escape from my feelings.             I’m actually not sure about this. Over the years in therapy I’ve learned healthy ways of coping with my feelings and I have never used food as a tool.

4. I tend to obsessively think about what foods I’m going to eat that day.    Oh this is so true. From my morning cup of coffee I tend to plan out when and where I’ll have my meals (and snacks of course). If I’m going out I look up the menu and flipflop between what I want, what is good for me, and what is the cheapest. There is never any overlap.

5. Even if I’ve binged or overeaten the day before, I start planning my next binge the very next day.                    I don’t know if I consciously plan a binge. Well, that’s a lie. If someone namedrops a certain restaurant or I know I will be let loose in the mall food court, I can see a binge in the forecast.

6. I have specific rules and rituals around my eating behaviors.     False

7. I think about food alot even when I’m not hungry.                                Not really. Usually I’m figuring out how I’m going to pay for it all

8. I feel that food controls my life.                                 I am working very very hard to make sure this does not happen.

9. I worry alot about this eating behaviors to the degree that it interferes with my daily life.     Again I am working very very hard to make sure this doesn’t happen. I can be downright intolerable when I’m hungry (I’m not even going to say “hangry” because that minimizes it) 

10. I know my eating behaviors are unhealthy but I keep doing them.            Sadly I think this is true.

I don’t think I’m as compulsive as I am impulsive but I need to keep an eye on things.

                  Exercise: How Aware of  You of Your Compulsivity 

1. List below behaviors that you engage in to relieve anxiety or other uncomfortable feelings. 

If I’m hosting a party (I do tend to host many parties) I will eat alot, especially chips at the beginning because I’m nervous the party won’t go well or that people don’t want to be there.

2. How much of your time do you spend thinking about your next food fix, worrying about what you’re going to eat, planning your next binge, or feeling upset or disappointed about what you’ve eaten or fearful about your next binge? Estimate the time as a percentage with 100 being all the time and 0 being never:

73%

3. What purpose do you think your food fix serves in your life. Circle the ones that apply to you or add your own.

4. My food fix helps me numb my feelings.                   Yes. Temporarily. Otherwise I’m ashamed.

5. My food fix helps me to calm down from either positive or negative emotions that make me feel off balance.                                  Yes

6. My food fix helps me relieve tension or stress                           Yes

(mine)

d) My food fix helps my social anxiety (usually when I’m hosting a party or in an uncomfortable social situation)

e) My food fix helps when I’m feeling upset.

f) My food fix is a harmful cycle. I eat because I’m hungry, then I eat because I’m ashamed.