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Confusing other Real Feelings with Hunger or Craving

Written by: Gunborg Palme, certified psychologist and certified psychotherapist, teacher and tutor in psychotherapy.
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 04 Jan 2012.

Abstract:

Other real feelings can be confused with hunger or craving. Examples of these feelings are stress, depression, anxiety, guilt feelings, irritation, anger, loneliness, insecurity, shame, boredness,exhaustion, jealousy, sadness, etc.

Question:

Which other real feelings can be confused with hunger or satisfaction or other cravings?

Answer:

Both eating, starvation and misuse of drugs can affect the neurotransmitters in the brain and thereby reduce feelings of discomfort. One then feels calmer and better.
The following are examples of unpleasant feelings which may be reduced by eating or starving:

Stress, melancholy, tiredness, depression, anxiety, guilt feelings, irritation, anger, inferiority feeling, loneliness, insecurity, shame, boredness, digust, embarrassment, exhaustion, jealousy, sadness, shyness, etc.

The abuse of food, hunger, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs can be momentarily tempting, but in the long run it leads to a far worse life than the alternative, which is to face up to one's unpleasant feelings and get to grips with unsolved problems.

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