Addiction and Eating Disorders - 641 Words

The main question: Consider the common themes and differences between the two health psychology issues chosen. Introduction The main two psychological issues are addiction and eating disorders and the concept of addiction has developed over the past several years. Substance dependence is the most closely related concept of the everyday meaning of addiction, and to meet the criteria for substance dependence one must demonstrate several, but not all of the following criteria: †¢ Difficulty in controlling while in use. †¢ Continued behavior or use of a substance despite evidence of harm or other negative consequences †¢ Other important activities frequently put off or neglected as a result of use. Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Addiction affects neuro transmission and interactions within reward structures of the brain, including the interior cingulate cortex, basal forebrain and amygdala, such that motivational hierarchies are altered and addictive behaviors, which may or may not include alcohol and other drug use, supplant healthy, self-care related behaviors. While on the other side Eating disorders are a group of conditions in which youre so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. The assignment will try to bring in the difference between the addiction and eatingShow MoreRelatedIn a sense, we are all addicted to food. Think about what it feels like when you aren’t able to800 Words   |  4 Pagescravings go on for. At that point eating becomes the most important thing for you to do. This is the constant experience of people struggling with food addiction. An abundance of food changes nothing to an overeater’s appetite. Food is essential to survival, and unlike other addictive behaviors, it is normal to eat repeatedly every day, and even to look forward to eating for pleasure. Several characteristics separate normal eating from a food addiction or binge eating. When an addict’s binge beginsRead MoreThe Dangers Of Excessive Exercise And Diet995 Words   |  4 Pagesexercising because either excessive or inconsiderable amounts can lead to eating disorders, addiction or permanent damage to health. People diet and exercise for different reasons, but what many do not realize is that too much exercise can be detrimental to our health. Along with dieting, many people will find themselves in a vicious cycle and develop an addiction to dieting an exercising. If we look back, exercise addiction was looked at as a positive thing according to Glasser (1976). ContraryRead MoreAnorexia Nervos Eating Disorders Association1013 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects about 0.5 to 1 percent of women in the United States today. (Anorexia Nervosa | National Eating Disorders Association) While, that may not seem like a lot of people are suffering from Anorexia nervosa it has received a significant amount of attention due to the consequences of developing this disorder. For example, it is reported that five to twenty percent of people who have Anorexia Nervosa will eventually succumb to theirRead MoreHow Can A Passion, Habit Or Routine Becomes An Obsession?1347 Words   |  6 Pagesnot even know it. It sounds unthinkable, but, it is a real situation, present especially in males, teenagers, adults around 18 to 40, in athletes that also have a higher possibility together with models, who experiences this addiction. According to a webpage named Eating Disorder Hope, endorse the next statement reviewed by Jacquelyn Ekern â€Å"Exercise and nutrition are foundational to good health, but extreme beh aviors can be a red flag indicating unhealthy behaviors† (Ekern, p. 1). It means that it isRead MoreHunger1287 Words   |  6 PagesLamott introduces herself and her struggle with food addiction and her battle with eating disorders that she suffered in the early part of her life. In this story she talks about her life how she was growing up, her personal obsession with food, her battle with alcoholism, and addiction to eating. Lamott in the short story hunger also covers her struggle for life with the eating disorder bulimia. The author throughout her story learns that her addiction and her battle with alcoholism were only symptomsRead MoreThe Potential Causes And Possible Treatment Of Exercise Addiction959 Words   |  4 Pagescauses and possible treatment of exercise addiction Unquestionably, physical activity complements the quality of life for an individual, while exercising on a regular basis results in many benefits. Nevertheless despite the great benefit of sport, many experts commonly agree that physical activity may be harmful. One of the unfavourable areas within sport, which is frequently examined by researchers, is exercise addiction. The predominance of exercise addiction is quite rare in reality, but when presentRead MoreFood Addiction1518 Words   |  7 PagesAddiction is a dependence on a substance in which the affected individual feels powerless to stop. Millions of Americans have addictions to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and even to behaviors such as compulsive gambling and shopping. Our recent studies suggest that millions of Americans are addicted to food, as well. An average American is bombarded daily with random propaganda to try to sell what some would consider perfection. Most American citizens try to emulate those fictional character s in celebrityRead MoreEssay on Food Addiction in America1499 Words   |  6 Pages Addiction is a dependence on a substance in which the affected individual feels powerless to stop. Millions of Americans have addictions to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and even to behaviors such as compulsive gambling and shopping. Recent studies suggest that millions of Americans are addicted to food, as well. An average American is bombarded daily with random propaganda to try to sell what some would consider perfection. Most American citizens try to emulate those fictional characters inRead MoreAddiction Vs. Obsession : Addiction Versus Obsession815 Words   |  4 PagesAddiction vs. Obsession In the reality TV show â€Å"My Strange Addiction,† participants are brought on to showcase how their â€Å"addictions† impact their everyday lives. These participants open themselves up to display to the viewers what it is like to live with their bizarre inclinations. Once, the participants display their â€Å"strange addiction,† they will go to a physician to see how they can change their habits. Some participants â€Å"addictions† may be weird, but nonetheless, harmless. Examples would be:Read MoreEssay about Effects of Shopping Addiction915 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Shopping Addiction Shopping is a necessary part of life. We shop for food, clothing, cars, homes, or anything that may be a necessity to survive. If shopping is necessary, how can it also be an addiction? The answer is the same as with other addictions. According to Wikipedia, addiction is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse dependency consequences or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. Oniomania, which is a Greek word meaning for