Food Problems: I take food-related problems very much to heart, as I explain in the goodsugar diet book. However, I don’t give food-related addiction any more attention or leniency than alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, workaholism, compulsive spending, or any other addiction. Addiction is essentially a reaction to chronic anxiety.
Psychology Titles: The psychology industry creates interesting titles to facilitate treatment. It's relatively easy to understand causation: the mind is structured by a series of causes that create effects and patterns, reflected in human behavior. Addiction is simply an unskilled response to stress.
My Experience: I am not a medical doctor or trained psychiatrist. Those professionals know far more than I do. My experience lies in personal recovery and working with countless individuals across a broad spectrum of addictions. When someone is ready to get help, they have usually reached rock bottom and are willing to stop the destructive behavior.
Anxiety Sensation: The first thing I discuss is the sensation of anxiety, which is undeniably uncomfortable. The threshold for this discomfort determines how desperate one becomes to stop the internal noise. Deep breathing is the first skill to learn. We can’t tackle addiction and recovery solely through willpower or accountability. We must discover the power of breath. This takes time and practice, and immediate gratification is unlikely, especially if stress levels are high.
Relaxed State: Lifelong recovery involves building a relaxed state of mind. Our actions today determine our mental state tomorrow. While other factors can affect us, maintaining a calm breathing pattern helps ensure continuity of a relaxed mind and body.
Breath Importance: I write extensively about the breath. The primary nutrient for the brain is oxygen. All organs communicate with the brain when there is a problem, triggering the physical sensations of anxiety, which vary slightly for each individual but generally include increased heart rate, a sense of unease, distraction, addictive behaviors, depression, hyperactivity, and physical pain.
Shallow Breathing: When we “shallow breathe”, the brain goes into a semi-shutdown mode, maintaining basic functions and a defensive posture. In this state, primal instincts can take over, such as viewing other creatures as food or resources. However, this is no excuse for exploiting animals unnecessarily.
Eating Disorders: An eating disorder can be reformed in the same way as alcoholism or any other addiction. It requires a mission of self-healing and self-discovery. This is a long process, as many mental patterns must be reversed. We must constantly analyze our character and make improvements. The journey includes increased awareness, understanding of consciousness, and moving from fear and judgment to empathy and compassion.
Personal Evolution: We evolve from being fearful and judgmental to relaxed individuals who cherish each moment of consciousness. We become less focused on vanity and more on finding true joy in simple, meaningful experiences. Every great teacher emphasizes that joy doesn’t come from accumulating possessions but from breathing deeply, sharing love, teaching, enjoying music, and simply being.
Worldly Possessions: This doesn’t mean renouncing worldly possessions. One can have immense wealth and still find joy, depending on one's mindset and intentions. What matters is how we use our talents and gifts, aiming to create positive outcomes rather than being ruled by past traumas and anxieties.