Recent Publication Analyzes Whether Food Can be Considered an Addiction

Binge-eating disorder will be recognized as a mental-disorder diagnosis by the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the "bible" of psychiatry.

The term 'addiction' has long been associated with continued, compulsive and uncontrolled use of substances like alcohol, drugs and practices like smoking, which are harmful to the body. Recently, psychiatrists have extended the definition to include behaviors problems related to gambling, internet use and sex.

Food, on the other hand, is a necessity for survival and is distinct from other factors considered addictive. Food has neither a tolerance limit nor withdrawal symptoms. However, there are problems associated with food like eating beyond satiety and binge eating.

The recently updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will include binge-eating disorder as a new type of diagnosis for addiction.

Research has also revealed that the same regions of the brain are active while taking food and with other addictions. This does not necessarily mean that food could be considered an addictive substance.

The journal Biological Psychiatry in an attempt to explore this topic further in its latest issue led by guest editors Drs. Dana Small and Ralph DiLeone, at the Yale School of Medicine, had called for research findings and reviews supporting both sides of the debate.

The research papers had looked at various aspects of addiction like reward mechanisms of the brain, obesity related to over eating, addiction and self control.

The harmful effects of binge eating has led many authors to argue that food could be considered an addictive substance, while others opine that food being an essential part of our lives cannot be considered as addictive.

This issue highlights the need for further research into the subject.

Source: Medindia