Addiction and dependence glossary[1][2][3][4]

addiction a medical condition characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences
addictive behavior a behavior that is both rewarding and reinforcing
addictive drug a drug that is both rewarding and reinforcing
dependence an adaptive state associated with a withdrawal syndrome upon cessation of repeated exposure to a stimulus (e.g., drug intake)
drug sensitization or reverse tolerance the escalating effect of a drug resulting from repeated administration at a given dose
drug withdrawal symptoms that occur upon cessation of repeated drug use
physical dependence dependence that involves persistent physicalsomatic withdrawal symptoms (e.g., fatigue and delirium tremens)
psychological dependence dependence that involves emotionalmotivational withdrawal symptoms (e.g., dysphoria andanhedonia)
reinforcing stimuli stimuli that increase the probability of repeating behaviors paired with them
rewarding stimuli stimuli that the brain interprets as intrinsically positive or as something to be approached
sensitization an amplified response to a stimulus resulting from repeated exposure to it
substance use disorder - a condition in which the use of substances leads to clinically and functionally significant impairment or distress
tolerance the diminishing effect of a drug resulting from repeated administration at a given dose
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Food addiction
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A food addiction or eating addiction is a behavioral addiction that is characterized by the

compulsive consumption of palatable (e.g., high fat and high sugar) foods the types of food
which markedly activate the reward system in humans and other animals despite adverse
consequences. Sugary and high fat food have both been shown to increase the expression
ofFosB, an addiction biomarker, in the D1-type medium spiny neurons of the nucleus
accumbens; however, there is very little research on the synaptic plasticity from compulsive
food consumption, a phenomenon which is known to be caused by FosB overexpression.
Psychological dependencehas also been observed with the occurrence of withdrawal
symptoms when consumption of these foods stops by replacement with low fat or sugar food.
Professionals address this disorder by means of behavior therapy.
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Contents
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1Description

2Signs and symptoms

3Potential negative effects

4Management

5Epidemiology

6Summary of addiction-related plasticity

7See also

8References

9Further reading

Description[edit]
Food addiction, refers to compulsive overeaters who engage in frequent episodes of
uncontrolled eating (binge eating). The term binge eating means eating an unhealthy amount

of food while feeling that one's sense of control has been lost. People who engage in binge
eating may feel frenzied, and consume a considerable amount of calories before stopping. The
after effects of bingeing in this way is generally followed by feelings of guilt and depression; for
example, some will cancel their plans for the next day because they "feel fat." Binge eating
also has implications on physical health, due to excessive intake of fats and sugars, which can
cause numerous health problems.
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Unlike individuals with bulimia nervosa, compulsive overeaters do not attempt to compensate
for their bingeing with purging behaviors, such as fasting, laxative use, or vomiting. When
compulsive overeaters overeat through binge eating and experience feelings of guilt after their
binges, they can be said to have binge eating disorder (BED).
[8]

In addition to binge eating, compulsive overeaters may also engage in grazing behavior, during
which they continuously eat throughout the day. These actions result in an excessive overall
number of calories consumed, even if the quantities eaten at any one time may be small.
[8]

During binges, compulsive overeaters may consume between 5,000 and 15,000 food
calories daily (far more than is healthy), resulting in a temporary release from psychological
stress through an addictive high not unlike that experienced through drug abuse. Compulsive
overeaters tend to show brain changes similar to those of drug addicts, a result of excessive
consumption of highly processed foods.
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For the compulsive overeater, ingesting trigger foods causes the release of the
neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. This could be another indicator that
neurobiological factors contribute to the addictive process. Conversely, abstaining from
addictive food and food eating processes causes withdrawal symptoms for those with eating
disorders. The resulting decreased levels of serotonin in the individual may trigger higher
levels of depression and anxiety.
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Eventually, compulsive overeaters continuously think about food. Food is in the preeminent
positions of their minds; when deprived of it, the person may engage in actions similar to those
of hard drug addicts, including an uncontrollable search for the substance, and in devious
behaviour, such as stealing or lying.
[13][14][15]

Signs and symptoms[edit]

A food addiction features compulsive overeating, such as binge eating behavior, as its core
and only defining feature. There are several potential signs that a person may be suffering from
compulsive overeating. Common behaviors of compulsive overeaters include eating alone,
consuming food quickly, and gaining weight rapidly. Other signs include significantly decreased
mobility and the withdrawal from activities due to weight gain. Emotional indicators can include
feelings of guilt, a sense of loss of control, depression and mood swings.
[9]

Potential negative effects[edit]

Left untreated, compulsive overeating can lead to serious medical conditions. For example,
compulsive overeating usually results in weight gain and obesity, although it is not the only
cause thereof. In addition, compulsive overeating could potentially lead to high
cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, and major depression.
Additional long-term side effects of the condition include kidney disease, arthritis, bone
deterioration, and stroke. In severe cases, compulsive overeating can result in death.
Other negative effects may include the amount of money that is wasted on food and the
feelings of low self-esteem that usually accompany bingeing.

Management[edit]

See also: Jaw wiring

Compulsive overeating is treatable with nutritional assistance and medication. Psychotherapy
may also be required, but recent research has proven this to be useful only as a
complementary resource, with short-term effectiveness in middle to severe cases.
[16][17]

Lysdexamfetamine is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant drug that is indicated for the

treatment of binge eating disorder. The antidepressant fluoxetine is a medication that is
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of an eating disorder,
specifically bulimia nervosa. This medication has been prescribed off-label for the treatment of
binge eating disorder (BED). Off-label medications, such as other selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs), have shown some efficacy, as have several atypical agents, such
as mianserin, trazodone and bupropion. Anti-obesity medications have also proven very
effective. Studies suggest that anti-obesity drugs, or moderate appetite suppressants, may be
key to controlling BED.
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Many eating disorders are thought to be behavioral patterns that stem from emotional
struggles; for the individual to develop lasting improvement and a healthy relationship with
food, these affective obstacles need to be resolved. Individuals can overcome compulsive
overeating through treatment, which should include talk therapy and medical and nutritional
counseling. Such counseling has been recently sanctioned by the American Dental Association
in their journal article cover-story for the first time in history in 2012: Given the continued
increase in obesity in the United States and the willingness of dentists to assist in prevention
and interventional effort, experts in obesity intervention in conjunction with dental educators
should develop models of intervention within the scope of dental practice. Moreover, Dental
appliances such as conventional jaw wiring and orthodontic wiring for controlling compulsive
overeating have been shown to be efficient ways in terms of weight control in properly
selected obese patients and usually no serious complications could be encountered through
the treatment course. Finally, several twelve step programs exist to help members recover
from compulsive overeating and food addiction.
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Epidemiology[edit]
A review on behavioral addictions listed the estimated the lifetime prevalence rate (i.e., the
proportion of individuals in the population that developed the disorder during their lifetime) for
food addiction in the United States as 2.8%.
[5]