Addicted to eating - Our author discusses how seeing her weight problems as a result of addiction helped her to learn new ways to manage cravings

摘要

I have always struggled with my weight, even as a child. When I was aged 9 my parents started to try to help by encouraging me to go on diets, and I tried to eat less but couldn't do it. Throughout my life, the feeling of needing to eat something was overwhelming and all consuming. I would be physically restless and mentally obsessed until I ate and satisfied the craving. When I had a full packet of biscuits, 1 felt safe. When the packet was empty it left me feeling remorse, guilt, and hopelessness. I would try to resist the craving, but my mind would tell me I had no option. It was an overpowering feeling—I had to eat. I tried various diets and therapies to lose weight, including cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnosis, and psychotherapy, but nothing worked.