Welcome to the Eating Disorders Home Page

Welcome to the TRN Eating Disorders home page. From here you can access the Eating Disorders chat room and forums, read articles on education or relapse prevention and check for any Eating Disorders specific TRN Events.

An Introduction to Eating Disorders

As with any other addiction, food addiction is about losing control, in this instance over how much and what we eat. It's a compulsive, excessive craving for foods that, in themselves, are harmful to us (addicts typically binge on junk foods) and an inability to control our intake. If you binge eat and then vomit or use laxatives to purge yourself, you are suffering from the form of addiction known as bulimia.

The majority of food addicts for whom the disease has progressed are overweight or obese. Some addicts, particularly bulimics, will fast, diet and/or exercise vigorously in order to prevent weight gain. They may maintain a normal weight or it may fluctuate significantly.

For most addicts, there are foods that act as 'triggers' once we start eating them we just can't stop. These are usually sugary foods, white flour, and other refined carbohydrates, which research has shown could have addictive qualities because they cause certain chemical changes in the brain.

Food addiction is a serious condition with many adverse health consequences. Obesity, psychological disorders, diabetes, and gastric problems are just a few. The first step to recovery is, of course, to realize and accept the problem. Many food addicts also need help with issues of control, depression, low self-esteem, isolation, guilt and disappointment.

As with any form of dependency, there is no quick route to recovery. Ambitious attempts to lose weight quickly are usually short-lived. Overcoming this condition involves changing our whole approach to food and adopting a new lifestyle and eating patterns for the long term.