Eating Disorders and Impulsivity

impulsive-eaterFor some people the saying ‘No one can eat just one’ is more true than for others. And we all wonder why.

A new study suggests this failure of self-control is a form of impulsive behavior that is a result of cellular activities in the part of the brain involved with reward.

Ok, so here’s where I’m going to take a leap, though I know that there is good evidence to back up what I’m saying.  Just as ADHD can really be a symptom of PTSD, Are-You-An-Impulsive-Shopperthe ‘impulsive behavior’ and brain changes could be a symptom of PTSD, and the result of trauma. It’s not at all hard to imagine why someone who has experienced trauma would be ‘impulsive’. What’s more, trauma can lead a person to be distrustful of the future, even if
Fear3only subconsciously, leading to a lack of concern/regard for that future and an “I want/need mine now” attitude about many things, including food. This is often referred to as the ‘camel mentality’.

As always, even if this is true, I don’t think it is an excuse for continuing what may be self-destructive behaviors.  I simply feel that understanding the ‘whys’ often helps us see more clearly how to make changes. By being “Trauma Informed” we may be able to understand that some of the things we do are being triggered by traumas we have endured, we may be able to The ultimate hugmove forward and retrain our brains so that we are not so impulsive.

Work with horses can be a very powerful part of the process of healing and moving on. Horses have something in common with a person dealing with PTSD. They both come from a place of being/feeling like a prey animal. They are non-judgmental and accept us at face value, allowing us to find our way as we grown in our self-acceptance.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD or other mental/emotional health issues seek help. Our program can be an important part of the treatment team. We would be happy to meet you, show you around, introduce the horses, learn more about your challenges and share how we might be able to help. Call or email to schedule a visit.

This entry was posted in Addiction, Anxiety Disorders, Children's issues, Depression, Eating Disorders, Grief, In my opinion, Mental Health, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Teens. Bookmark the permalink.

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