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Separating Constant Craving from Real Hunger and Other Sensations

Written by: Gunborg Palme, certified psychologist and certified psychotherapist, teacher and tutor in psychotherapy.
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 09 Aug 2008.

Abstract:

One important cause of eating disorders is a disability to distinguish between hunger and other sensations. Other sensations than real hunger may, for example, be felt as a constant craving. This answer describes this problem, and how it can be countered.

Question:

Why do people with eating disorders mix up feelings and hunger? Why do they feel a constant craving for food?

Answer:

Recognizing different feelings and being able to distinguish them from feeling hungry or satisfied are things usually learned in early childhood. Those with eating disorders may have learned, during childhood, to console themselves by eating or avoiding food when feeling various kinds of unpleasantness. This may cause them difficulties in recognizing their real feelings. They get the wrong information from their inner-personal region and as a consequence can't clearly distinguish between feelings and physical sensations.

How the brain associates other feelings with hunger.
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