Do you find yourself cutting your food into small bite-sized pieces, in a certain order and shape? Do you sometimes count the calories found in the food that you are eating? Chances are you are suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD food cravings).

OCD usually affects a person’s daily activities. You find that the person spends a lot of time indoors. People with this kind of disorder find themselves compelled to perform certain rituals, like washing their hands a number of times.

People with an eating disorder are not satisfied with themselves if they have not done something in a certain order or manner.

Who Suffers From OCD Food Cravings?

OCD usually starts during the teenage years, but some studies have confirmed that some children develop this disease. It affects all genders; it is not associated with a specific gender. People who have a high level of stress are more prone to OCD food cravings. Most people with psychological issues are perfectionists, which why they are more affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder.

For people that have an eating disorder, OCD controls the amount of food that they eat. The shape, the colour and the type of foods usually controlled. It is said that people who suffer from OCD are usually feeling unworthy, which lead them to compensate for their unworthiness by doing other things.

How To Deal With Food Cravings

Eating food because of the stress you are going through is never the solution. Abusing food can be dangerous to one’s health and body. Food cravings are usually associated with psychological distress, but for some of us, it is usually the body’s way of saying they are lacking a certain nutrient. The brain creates signals on how much food to eat and how much sugar is in the food.

Some people consider hypnotherapy as a way of dealing with OCD food cravings. You can also stir half a teaspoon of paprika into a glass of water. You need to drink this before you eat, it will help you eat less. Some people with eating disorders cannot differentiate between hunger and depression. For people with an eating disorder, if they deprive themselves of the food they are craving, they may have withdrawal symptoms. At Weightloss.about.com you are given tips on how you can deal with food cravings.

Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders

Eating disorders are closely related to personality disorders. People with OCD food cravings are either bulimic or anorexic. People develop these disorders because they lack confidence. They are usually a danger to themselves as they are ruining their bodies. They might be tempted to kill themselves; they may also try using drugs.

Some people with eating disorder eat more than what is required by the body; the more they eat is the more they feel a sense of worth. They feel the need to eat food on their own, away from prying eyes. But the time they are done eating they feel guilty and ashamed of having consumed so much hunger. At Buzzle.com you are given a few points on what causes OCD food cravings and how it affects the body.

Conclusion

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder food cravings can be treated. Some patients are treated with hypnotherapy and through counselling, they are able to be free of their eating disorder. From the research that was conducted, it was established that approximately 80% of eating disorder sufferers were able to recover from it after receiving professional help. OCD can lead to death if they are not treated. Disorders like anorexia and bulimia are the ones associated with death because the body is deprived of food to keep them going. At Wikipedia.org you are given a 12 step guide on how to help you recover from OCD food cravings.

Summary

An OCD food craving does not only affect a specific gender, but all genders are affected by this eating disorder.
People with high-stress level, low self-esteem and those with psychological problems are more prone to OCD food cravings.
People with an eating disorder do not have to deprive themselves of the food in order to overcome it; they need counselling in order to recover from it.
People with OCD food cravings usually lack a sense of worthiness, so they eat more or less food to make up for low self-esteem.
An eating disorder can be treated.

More Additional Information
Admitting that you have a problem and that you need help is the first step to recovery.

Read more: Guide to Food Cravings