Food Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & How to Overcome

What Is Food Addiction?

Certain foods can activate the reward pathway in the brain.⁴ When someone consumes a pleasurable food, dopamine triggers other pleasurable neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin), and the person experiences a euphoric sensation.⁵ Consequently, the brain sends the message that it wants more of this particular food and will begin emitting feelings of cravings and withdrawal until more of it is consumed. As more is consumed, the brain continues to want more—experiencing less and less satisfaction as the addiction takes over.

The term food addiction, also known as compulsive overeating, is a highly controversial condition.¹ It isn’t currently included as a diagnosable disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) due to a need for further research;² however, many organizations, including the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), consider it a possible addictive disorder. According to peer-reviewed research, there is evidence to indicate that food addiction meets similar criteria to that of other behavioral addictions.¹

Another element of food addiction is that it’s progressive. People begin eating increasingly more for longer periods of time than intended.³ Despite the physiological, psychological, emotional, and social toll it takes on the individual, the behavior continues.³

Signs of Food Addiction

People dealing with food addiction have an unhealthy relationship with food; however, this condition goes much deeper than just food itself. The key aspect of addiction is that it has reached a point beyond the person’s control. Although a relatively obvious sign includes weight gain, most signs aren’t so obvious. In fact, many of them are kept in secrecy—a defense mechanism aimed toward preserving one’s social status while internally struggling with negative emotions like shame.

Signs of food addiction may include any combination of the following:⁶

• Gorging more food than one can physically tolerate
• Eating to the point of feeling ill
• Going out of your way to obtain certain foods
• Continuing to eat certain foods even if no longer hungry
• Eating in secret or isolation
• Avoiding social interactions, relationships, or functions to spend time eating certain foods
• Difficulty functioning in a career or job due to decreased efficiency
• Spending a significant amount of money on buying certain foods for binging purposes
• Decreased energy, chronic fatigue
• Difficult concentrating
• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or oversleeping
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Suicidal ideation

Signs of Food Addiction in Kids & Teens

For children and teens, the signs of food addiction may include eating excessive amounts of groceries purchased for the family and spending allowance or earned wages from work on food. They may then begin withdrawing from family, friends, and other social activities to isolate and continue consuming food in secrecy.

Given the social pressures to look and act a certain way, self-esteem is likely to be compromised. Children and adolescents may experience bullying, relationship troubles, and perhaps even begin acting out.

Symptoms of Food Addiction

The symptoms of food addiction have physiological, psychological, and social impact.⁶ Generally, the more severe the addiction, the more severe the symptoms. Typically, one symptom influences another. For instance, as one gains weight, physical problems may arise. Or the individual doesn’t feel good and may begin experiencing depression. With depression comes lowered self-esteem and social withdrawal. Everything continues in cyclical fashion until the cycle is broken.

Physical symptoms of food addiction include:⁶

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Digestive problems
• Malnutrition
• Obesity
• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Sleep disorders
• Reduced sex drive
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Arthritis
• Stroke
• Kidney/liver disease
• Osteoporosis

Psychological symptoms of food addiction include:⁶

• Low self-esteem
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Increased feelings of anxiety
• Feeling sad, hopeless, or in despair
• Increased irritability, especially if access to desired food is restricted
• Emotional detachment or numbness
• Suicidal ideation

Social symptoms of food addiction include:⁶

• Decreased performance at work or school
• Isolation from loved ones
• Division within family units
• Lack of enjoyment in hobbies or activities once enjoyed
• Avoidance of social events or functions
• Risk of jeopardizing finances or career

Risk Factors of Food Addiction

Risk factors and triggers of food addiction vary from person to person. Contributing factors include genetic predispositions, internalized beliefs and values, self-talk, and social and environmental factors. The more risk factors someone has, the more likely someone is to develop food addiction. Mental health and substance use disorders also increase the likelihood of developing food addiction.⁶

As more research is conducted, a better understanding of the risk factors and triggers of food addiction will emerge.

Currently, the more common risk factors of food addiction include:⁹

• Low self-esteem
• History of abuse or trauma
• Social isolation
• Family conflict
• Hormonal imbalances
• Abnormalities in brain structure
• Side effects from specific medications
• Family history of eating disorders
• Other mental health concerns

Common Co-Occurring Disorders With Food Addiction

Co-occurring disorders serve to further complicate food addiction. With any addiction, it is important to address all conditions because otherwise one will reinforce another. For instance, when someone has a depression flare-up, they may cope by consuming too much food—only worsening their self-esteem in the long-term.

Common co-occurring disorders with eating disorders include:⁹

• Substance use disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Self-injurious behaviors
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling)

Each of these conditions in-and-of themselves may create extensive distress for the individual and warrant attention, and combining any one of these or another diagnosable disorder or condition complicates everything further.⁹

Treatment for Food Addiction

Depending on need and preference, someone may choose to engage in outpatient therapy, partial hospitalization, or residential treatment for food addiction. The more comprehensive the treatment, the more effective. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, experiential therapy, meal support, and medication management.⁸

Recovery from food addiction is a long and winding road. Accordingly, it’s important to find a therapist whom you trust, as the client-therapist relationship is one of the greatest factors for change. It’s important to realize that food addiction is a lifelong condition. That said, one must be motivated to change for progress and maintenance to occur. The more motivated one is to change, the greater likelihood of recovery.

Therapy

As with other addictive disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended.¹⁰ CBT entails an exploration and adaptation of maladaptive beliefs and thoughts that ultimately lead toward behavior. For instance, someone with food addiction may have the maladaptive belief that they’re unlovable. The corresponding thought may be, “Whether I eat to excess or not, I will still be unlovable. I might as well enjoy myself and continue eating.” From there, the behavior is to continue eating. As these beliefs and thoughts are uncovered, processed, and adapted, the next step is to engage in behavioral modification. This may include no longer eating at restaurants with triggering foods, only keeping healthy foods in the house, scheduling times to eat, and so on.

Comprehensive Care

Regardless of the type of therapy used to address mental health, it’s important to engage in a comprehensive level of care.⁸ This may include consistent check-ups with a physician to check on vitals, appointments with a nutritionist to learn about healthy eating, training with a physical trainer to get into a healthy workout regimen, and attending support groups with others who are struggling with food addiction.

Medication

There’s no specific FDA-approved medication for treating food addiction.¹⁰ To date, there are approved medications to help with weight loss, but that’s just one part of the issue. Taking a pill or undertaking gastric bypass to lose weight may shed the pounds, but it doesn’t address the underlying root causes or other associated physical, psychological, and social symptoms.¹⁰

For those struggling with co-occurring disorders and other conditions warranting medication, it is highly recommended to discuss said conditions with your provider and take medications only as prescribed.¹⁰ Failure to do so may compromise health even further.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes should be expected when recovering from food addiction. With alcohol and substance use disorders, a key component of recovery is abstaining from the alcohol or drug of choice. With food addiction, it isn’t that straightforward, as we all must eat to live.

Lifestyle changes to cope with food addiction include:

• Avoid problematic foods
• Eat on a schedule
• Journal calories, fat grams, sugar, and other nutrients
• Regular exercise
• Surround oneself with positive support
• Be honest with oneself and others
• In the case of relapse, make adjustments and move forward

How to Get Help for Food Addiction

When seeking help for food addiction, remember that the type of help required goes well beyond weight loss. Accordingly, when searching for help, it’s important to find a comprehensive program. Begin by using an online therapist directory to search for “food addiction” treatment providers and organizations in your area. Make note of the ones that seem to be a good fit. From there, follow up and ask questions as necessary.

Questions to ask a potential therapist include:

• Do you specialize in treating food addiction?
• What are the outcomes of others who have completed your treatment?
• What is the cost?
• Will managed care cover my condition?
• What are your days and hours of availability?

Cost of Treatment

Because food addiction is not a formally diagnosable disorder, health insurance may or may not cover treatments. As such, you are encouraged to check on this as well. If co-occurring disorders are present, one may receive coverage that addresses one but not the other. If a medical condition is diagnosed by a primary care physician, then additional options may be provided.

How to Get Help for a Loved One

Remember that an addiction disorder has exceeded one’s ability to manage it. Simply telling someone to stop eating or attempting to restrict household foods may backfire. Rather, it’s important to become informed about food addiction and treatment options while being as supportive to your loved one as possible.

Further, this may require you to make lifestyle changes as well. For instance, if you also engage in problematic eating, you may support your loved one by eating healthier and setting a positive example. Participating in treatment is also recommended so long as your loved one and therapist agree that it is a good idea.

Don’t forget that the process takes time. When your loved one struggles, even more support is needed. The more into this you are together, the greater likelihood of recovery.

How to Overcome Food Addiction

When working to overcome food addiction, remain intentional and consistent with your efforts. Recovery must be on the forefront of your mind. When relapse occurs, it is important to do what is necessary to immediately get back on track.

Common techniques for overcoming food addiction include:

• Avoid unhealthy foods including sweets, starches, salty snacks, fatty foods, and sugary drinks
• Increase healthy food consumption (e.g., fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc.)
• Engage in regular exercise
• Journal food consumption along with associated feelings
• Eat on a healthy schedule
• Learn more about healthy eating
• Work with a support team that includes a therapist, physician, nutritionist, and physical trainer (as appropriate)
• Attend support groups such as Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Food Addicts Anonymous (FAA), and Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA)
• Partner with a friend or loved one to work on wellness goals
• Speak up when having a hard time

Remember that you are the expert on your own life. What works for another may not work for you and vice versa. This may take time and experimentation; however, sticking with it will ultimately lead toward a better lifestyle.