Psychosomatics of excess weight in women - causes, treatment, what to do according to Louise Hay

Are all diseases caused by nerves? Is it possible to get sick due to “bad” emotions? What is a psychosomatic disorder? These and many other questions from the Challenger magazine are answered by Anton Rodionov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, cardiologist of the highest category, Associate Professor of the Department of Faculty Therapy of the Faculty of Medicine of the Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov.

— In the 80-90s of the last century, a very famous psychologist, Professor Yu. M. Orlov, worked at our institute (First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov. - Ed.). He belonged to the theory of “sanogenic thinking”. Its meaning boiled down to the fact that if you think correctly, cultivate good emotions and fight bad ones, you can prevent many diseases. It must be admitted that for the fragile minds of young doctors, his theory looked very convincing...

Can emotions affect health? Definitely yes. To be a reason - no. Negative emotions activate the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn leads to increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and vasospasm. Everyone knows the stories when, against the background of, for example, fear or anger, people suffered heart attacks and strokes. I repeat: emotion in this case is not the cause of the disease, but only a provoking factor, a trigger.

In some cases, a negative emotion, of course, can become a cause of illness. For example, if you hit a wall with your fist out of anger, you can break your arm. Here is a very clear cause-and-effect relationship. By the way, we must not forget about the existence of an inverse relationship. Often the cause of negative emotions is chronic physical suffering. Remember Baba Yaga with a bone leg - perhaps she would have been a very sweet old lady if not for chronic pain in the hip joint...

“All diseases are caused by nerves” – a myth?

It's not even a myth, it's just an old student joke. The full quote is: “ All diseases are from nerves, and only five are from love ” (referring to the five classic venereal diseases). However, chronic stress is indeed a proven risk factor for the development of at least cardiovascular diseases. Several years ago, using positron emission tomography (a high-precision study that allows one to study metabolic processes in various tissues), scientists identified mechanisms that transform stress into chronic inflammation, which, in turn, serves as a key mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis.

“However, I repeat again and again: stress is not the cause of disease, but one of the risk factors that works only in conjunction with other factors, primarily genetic.

A psychological technique that will remove your belly fat.

Live and feel as if you already have an ideal figure.

Imagine that now you already have an ideal body, you are comfortable and at ease, you are an attractive and desirable woman.

Ask yourself questions:

1. How will your life change after losing weight?
2. Will you feel better about yourself?
3. Will you spend more time on your body?
4. Has your relationship with your loved one improved?
5. Are you starting to feel happier?

Notice whether you feel joy within yourself after answering. And if this is so, then it is the psychosomatics of the abdomen that is the root cause of your rounded waist.

But how to find your reason, here, of course, you can use different methods. The main thing is not to make a mistake. Otherwise, you will be stuck on this problem for years.

Psychosomatic disorders: what are the causes and mechanisms of their occurrence?

Psychosomatic diseases are a group of diseases that are manifested by bodily suffering (that is, symptoms of diseases of the internal organs), but their main cause still lies in problems with the nervous system. These include a whole range of gastrointestinal disorders (functional gastric dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome), fibromyalgia (a specific pain syndrome in the projection of the joints), hyperventilation syndrome (a feeling of lack of oxygen and the need for rapid breathing) and much more.

I will explain how mental suffering and somatic symptoms are related to each other using the example of the most common complaint with which patients come to a cardiologist - a feeling of rapid heartbeat. Tachycardia (fast pulse) normally occurs when you need to respond to an external stimulus, for example, to run away from danger. In this situation, the muscles need more blood, therefore, the heart must increase its contraction frequency. But when the danger passes, the pulse returns to normal. A patient with a neurotic disorder is outwardly calm, no one is chasing him, he does not need to catch up with anyone, but the brain gives a signal: “You are in danger, run away!” As a result, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, blood pressure rises and heart rate increases. The patient feels unwell... In this case, treating tachycardia as a separate symptom is at least absurd - it is necessary to treat the neurotic disease itself, and such patients should be treated not by a cardiologist, but by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

As for child psychosomatics, I’ll tell you another story. Recently a young woman came to an appointment. She looked very worried and kept trying to ask me about her husband’s health, although, in my opinion, her husband could well have come to the appointment himself. During the conversation, it turned out that the husband (a man who works hard and earns well) constantly yells at his wife and child at home, while still successfully manipulating his high blood pressure, but does not want to be treated. At the end of our meeting, the woman asked if I knew of a good neurologist, a specialist in childhood tics... Should I continue the story? In my opinion, you don’t have to be Dr. House to understand a simple thing: most transient neurological and neurotic symptoms in children are a problem with the parents.

Psychosomatics: causes of excess weight

If the appearance of extra pounds is due to psychosomatic reasons, all diets and workouts will be useless. You may be able to lose weight, but very soon the weight will return. Therefore, the main task in the treatment of psychosomatics is to identify the problem that provokes eating disorders, and then eliminate it.

Experts identify several main psychosomatic causes of obesity:

1. Food as an “antidepressant”

For many, food becomes an effective “medicine” for relieving nervous tension. As a rule, stress is consumed by unhealthy foods, which leads to weight gain. Excess weight is a direct consequence of the fact that a person is not able to deal with his personal problems in safer ways than high-calorie foods.

This is a vicious circle: delicious food causes an emotional uplift for a short period of time, but then, in order to receive a new portion of joy hormones, a person again needs “doping” in the form of a high-calorie snack. You won’t be able to get rid of the psychosomatics of excess weight if you don’t learn to cope with stress.

2. Low self-esteem

It has always been believed that low self-esteem is precisely a consequence of obesity, and not its cause. But scientists from King's College London have found that the opposite may be true. The study began by collecting information on the physical parameters and self-esteem of 6,500 ten-year-old children. And 20 years later, these same guys, only now much older, were asked to take the survey again. It was found that people who had low self-esteem in childhood were more likely to suffer from obesity in adulthood. [2]

3. Low level of responsibility

The same scientists from King's College London came to the conclusion that individuals who tend to blame only external factors for their problems are more likely to suffer from excess weight. [2]

4. Feeling of insignificance

Psychosomatic experts believe that a person may eat more in an attempt to become significant and noticeable in society. It’s as if the body is saying: “I want to take up more space, I want to finally be appreciated.” Of course, this is not a solution to the problem of “dislike.” An overweight person develops even more complexes, which prevents him from achieving his goals and building relationships with people.

5. Lack of positive emotions

When life is continuous gray everyday life, a person will constantly be drawn to “tasty things.” For him, food is the only available way to get a dose of positivity. And it's not just stress eating. A person “eats” life itself, trying to make it sunnier and more interesting than it is now.

6. Guilt and self-hatred

People with deep feelings of guilt subconsciously want to punish themselves. And this punishment becomes food. A person, disfiguring his body, tries to atone for guilt (often far-fetched). Obesity leads to the development of serious diseases. And according to some, this is a completely worthy punishment “for sins.” [1]

What is the “Chicago Seven” and how relevant is such a classification today?

I don’t really need classifications of psychosomatic disorders in my daily work, and I first learned about the “Chicago Seven” thanks to this question. I read it and was horrified. Can anyone really seriously consider them in the 21st century as “diseases of unreacted emotions”! I will list these seven diseases indicating their true causes:

1. Arterial hypertension is a disease based on a genetic predisposition, which is caused by dozens of additional factors (smoking, excess weight, salt abuse, physical inactivity, increased sugar and cholesterol levels, and so on). Stress is only one of the risk factors, but far from the main one.
2. Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum is a disease whose cause was well studied at the end of the 20th century. This is a microorganism called Helicobacter Pylori. Yes, acute “stress” ulcers have been described, but that’s a completely different story.
3. Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) are a group of inflammatory autoimmune diseases with a genetic predisposition.
4. Neurodermatitis (atopic dermatitis) is a disease that has a genetic predisposition. A stress factor can only in some cases cause an exacerbation.
5. Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with a clear genetic predisposition. Sometimes stress can contribute to an exacerbation, and sometimes vice versa - stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system leads to dilation of the bronchi.
6. Thyrotoxicosis (hyperfunction of the thyroid gland) is a classic autoimmune disease, which is based on the production of antibodies to the tissues of the thyroid gland. Here, would-be psychologists generally confuse cause and effect. Thyrotoxicosis greatly changes a person's character - he becomes whiny, hot-tempered, and nervous. After thyrotoxicosis is cured, mental manifestations completely disappear.
7. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of unknown nature (the connection between genetic and infectious factors is being discussed). However, stress definitely has nothing to do with it.

Psychosomatics of excess weight in women

It is believed that the problem of excess weight in women is more often of a psychosomatic nature. They are more susceptible to the negative effects of stress, more sensitive to external factors and self-absorbed.

Many women are never happy with their figure. They make countless attempts to lose weight - diets, gym. This may become the only goal in life, which only complicates existence in society. It is important to pause and understand that physiology may have nothing to do with it at all. All problems, as experts in psychosomatics say, are in the head.

Psychologists believe that women, due to certain circumstances, often feel unprotected. And the layer of fatty tissue becomes a kind of armor. An overweight girl will not arouse interest among others (especially men), which means she “will be able to live in peace.” This psychosomatic problem of obesity is often diagnosed in women who have experienced sexual violence. By becoming unattractive, they seem to be trying to protect themselves from the repetition of such situations. [3]

Another psychological reason for excess weight in women is excessive sensitivity. For those who carry any situation “through themselves,” food becomes a means of relieving stress and dulling negative emotions. Subconsciously, a woman wants to become stronger, which is why she strives to “gain fat.”

Very often, the cause of rapid weight gain is unresolved problems with a partner. A woman gets better in order to stop her husband’s pathological jealousy or to “take revenge” on him (for example, for drunkenness). In both cases, the root of the problem is uncertainty. A woman does not know how or does not want to solve “crises” in relationships in other ways. [3]

How are psychosomatic disorders diagnosed?

Patients with psychosomatic disorders can visit doctors of any specialty. For some, illnesses manifest as unmotivated shortness of breath and palpitations, for others, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and for others, pain syndromes.

— The main diagnostic criterion is examination, often repeated, which does not detect any signs of an organic disease. It is this fact that should suggest the need for consultation with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

The basis of diagnosis is a conversation with the patient. Just based on how the patient presents his complaints, one can think about the presence of psychosomatic disorders. If the doctor has sufficient time to clarify the circumstances associated with the onset or exacerbation of the disease, if he finds accurate words to clarify psychotraumatic situations, then the picture of the disease will begin to emerge. As I already said, the dissociation between complaints and the absence of organic pathology is an important argument in favor of “psychosomatics”. Of course, a reasonable amount of additional examination is always necessary, but it should not be excessive.

Let me give you an example of one of the classic psychosomatic diseases - irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In Russia, they believe that in order to establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to do a colonoscopy - a difficult and expensive endoscopic examination of the large intestine. All over the world they think differently. If long-term symptoms of intestinal discomfort (diarrhea or constipation, bloating, etc.) are not accompanied by the presence of so-called “red flags” (weight loss, blood in the stool, inflammatory changes in blood tests, late age of onset of the disease and the presence of cancer in close relatives ), then there is no point in tormenting the patient with such a difficult procedure as a colonoscopy - the diagnosis of IBS is very likely. How many years pass from a patient presenting with a psychosomatic disorder to receiving a correct diagnosis? It's not always the same. It seems to me that if you build communication with the patient correctly, it is not at all difficult. But we are well trained for this. The fact is that our now deceased teacher, former director of the First Medical Faculty Therapy Clinic (now Sechenov University), Professor V.I. Makolkin, paid great attention to the study of psychosomatic pathology, as a result of which a small psychosomatic center was actually created on the basis of the clinic. The clinic staff are quite well versed in this kind of pathology, in addition, we are supported by a team of several psychiatrists. Sometimes it happens that years pass from the onset of the disease to receiving professional help. It's difficult to say what this is connected with. Most likely, because colleagues “do not see” psychosomatics or are embarrassed to send patients to a psychiatrist, fearing that the patients will misunderstand them.

Psychosomatics of excess weight in children

Excess weight in a child is not always associated with heredity, hormonal disorders or an abundance of sweets in the diet, as many parents think. In some cases, this is the same consequence of deep psychological problems.

A child, like an adult, can be consumed by stress and self-doubt. The cause of excess weight is problems in the family - lack of attention, criticism of parents or strict prohibitions. The attitudes that the child receives also have a negative impact, for example: good girls and boys should eat. An insecure child strives to meet adults' expectations, so he eats everything on his plate, even when he doesn't want to. Over time, overeating becomes a habit. [3]

Being overweight is often an attempt to attract the attention of adults. And in adolescents, the psychosomatics of overeating and excess weight can be caused by a protest against “everyone and everything.” He seems to be telling the world: “I decide when and how much I eat.”

A serious reason for the psychosomatics of excess weight in children is the example of parents. If a family has created a cult of food as the only way to spend leisure time, then with a high degree of probability the child will adopt this model of behavior - he simply will not learn to receive pleasant emotions in any other way.

How to treat psychosomatics?

It all depends on the situation; The concept of “psychosomatic disorders” is too broad. In mild cases, specific treatment is not required at all; a detailed conversation between the doctor and the patient and an explanation of the essence of what is happening is sufficient. The fact is that sometimes the patient is worried not so much by the symptoms themselves as by the unknown and suspicion of serious organic diseases. If you explain that behind the “feeling of incomplete inspiration” or “tingling in the heart” there are no organic diseases of the heart and lungs, this will be quite satisfactory for many patients.

In some cases, an internist (therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist and others) can independently prescribe psychotropic therapy, if, of course, he knows how to do this. For example, a qualified gastroenterologist can and should himself prescribe antidepressants to patients with functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, without resorting to the help of psychiatrists. Why do gastroenterology patients need antidepressants? They are needed to break the pathological connection between signals in the brain and symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract. By the way, antidepressants have long ceased to be specific drugs for the treatment of depression. They are also successfully used in the treatment of certain pain syndromes.

If the internist feels that the patient needs serious combination therapy, then it is better to involve a psychiatrist in the treatment, since psychopharmacology is quite complex and the arsenal of drugs is diverse. It is advisable to consult not just with a psychiatrist from the district dispensary, but with a specialist who has experience working specifically with psychosomatic patients.

Psychotherapy (that is, talking therapy) can be very helpful for many patients with psychosomatic disorders. There are only two disadvantages: it is expensive and takes a long time. A contraindication to psychotherapy is symptoms of a “major” mental illness (delusional disorders, hallucinations), however, this already goes beyond the scope of the “psychosomatics” topic.

But what the patient definitely does not need is the appearance of treatment using dummies: vitamins, “restorative”, “metabolic”, “vascular” drugs and so on.

How to solve the psychological problem of excess weight

It is impossible to cope with how to lose weight if you do not understand the psychosomatics of excess weight. But keep in mind that this is not enough. To get rid of it, you need to use both psychological and physical methods. First of all, you need to control your food intake and lead an active lifestyle. Psychological methods of struggle are as follows:

• If food is used for relaxation, you need to replace it with something else with a similar effect. This could be yoga, swimming, meditation or a regular walk. The same is true if food serves as a source of joy and pleasure. There are no less pleasant things that do not lead to weight gain, and it is important to find them for yourself.
• Before you go to the refrigerator, ask yourself whether you feel true hunger or moral dissatisfaction. You should only eat if you are truly hungry.
• You must get rid of old grievances, try to accept and love yourself with all your strengths and weaknesses. You need to try to fight the latter without using the usual method in the form of an abundance of food.
• If the reason for overeating is related to your loved ones, you need to try to change your attitude towards them and improve it. All problems can be resolved peacefully, remember this.

If the causes of excess weight are related to psychosomatics, then you need to start fighting it from the head. Not everyone can do this on their own, so sometimes it makes sense to work with a psychologist. It is important to achieve harmony and calm. And, of course, remember that a lot depends on proper nutrition and physical activity.

What is mental hygiene and how can it help?

Perhaps mental hygiene can be a way to prevent such disorders, although it is not so simple. Here again it is appropriate to recall the theory of “sanogenic thinking” by Yu. M. Orlov. On my own behalf, I will add four positions that I try to follow myself (more about this in my book “Heart and Vascular Health”):

• limit negative information flow. Don't let the TV run in the background. It’s better to play recorded music or favorite movies;
• separate work from home. Get two phone numbers - for home and for work calls, turn off your work mobile phone at home, on weekends and on vacation;
• think about the most difficult event in your life. Maybe everything else isn't worth going crazy?
• The best way to get rid of accumulated fatigue and irritation is physical activity.

And one last thing. If you feel that something in life is going completely wrong and you can’t get out on your own, do not hesitate to contact specialists in the field of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Modern psychiatry has come a long way compared to the classic image of it in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

If you want to competently use all the possibilities of modern medicine, and also not become a victim of questionable treatment and excessive diagnostics, books from the course of the “Dr. Rodionov Academy” will help you. All the authors of the series are not only practicing doctors and specialists, but also our permanent experts (for which we thank them very much).

Photo: shutterstock.com

Link to publication: the-challenger.ru

Psychosomatics of excess weight in men

In men, excess weight can also be caused by psychosomatics. According to experts, this is mainly a reaction to stress and obligations placed on a person.

Some men find it very difficult to live up to the stereotypes that have developed in society about the ideal head of the family. He must be strong and successful. But not everyone can reach the “inflated bar”. Hence the psycho-emotional overload and “overdoing” with the amount of food in an attempt to cope with an anxious state.

Treatment of psychosomatics of excess weight in men is often complicated by the fact that they are not particularly eager to turn to psychologists for help. The reason is still in the same stereotypes: a man must solve his problems himself - by willpower and perseverance, and not “dig into his head.” [1]

Symptoms of bulimia in adults

Symptoms of bulimia in adults represent a comprehensive picture of the disease, with its inherent psycho-emotional, behavioral and somatic pathology. First of all, such signs of bulimia nervosa should attract the attention of general practitioners, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, otolaryngologists, and dentists. It is they who, with the help of clarifying questions, can identify the possible cause of the health problems characteristic of the disease.

Psycho-emotional status

The psycho-emotional state of people with bulimia nervosa is characterized by a contradiction between their inner world and external manifestations of personality. Outwardly strong and self-confident, they are dependent on the opinions of others, sensitive to criticism, and subject to frequent mood swings. Anxiety and guilt are constant companions of such people, causing moral suffering.

Features of behavior

Symptoms of bulimia in adults include certain behavioral characteristics that may affect, for example, lifestyle, dressing, and communication strategies with loved ones. The disease often becomes a “stimulus” for frequent and exhausting sports. For example, with an atypical form of bulimia, sports, the training duration can be 10 hours. In turn, this makes adjustments to the rhythm of life, general physical condition, the opportunity to spend free time with loved ones and, most importantly, enjoy it.

The internal psycho-emotional state “dictates” to such people a clothing style, which, as a rule, is aimed at emphasizing the figure or hiding its “shortcomings” (for example, exhaustion, skin problems or obesity). Excessive concern about your health harmoniously coexists with body cleansing practices, exhausting workouts and strict diets.

Health status

Health problems are also symptoms of bulimia nervosa. They are often referred to somatic doctors (for example, dentist, cardiologist, endocrinologist) with complaints of the following nature:

• tooth loss;
• gum disease;
• mouth ulcers;
• hair loss;
• growth of vellus hair on the body;
• deterioration of nail condition;
• deterioration of the skin;
• peripheral edema;
• rashes on the body;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• breathing problems;
• urinary disturbance;
• defecation disorder;
• rectal prolapse;
• menstruation disorders;
• abdominal pain.

That is why somatic doctors must be prepared to dissimulate such patients. Dissimulation is carried out through a survey and referral to other specialists, as well as laboratory tests.

Paying for excess fat

The main feature of any addiction is retribution with unpleasant consequences. Gambling addiction leaves your wallet empty, alcoholism burns internal organs and leads to rapid degradation, food addiction leads to obesity.

Excess weight will not be long in coming as soon as we start using food to suppress feelings. But we are lucky that fat tissue is distributed unevenly throughout the body. Luck, of course, is questionable, but the way fat appears on the body will allow you to read problems and find them faster. You can think of your body as a map with the most important blocks and clamps.

Use the table below to work through your internal problems. This will help you understand yourself a little better.

Mechanism of weight gain

How do you gain excess weight? How does the subconscious achieve body changes? By magic? Psychosomatics of excess weight gives a complete answer to these questions.

Many people, reading a description of the psychosomatic causes of a particular disease, think that this change in the body happens magically. So we wanted to gain weight, - hop, - and gained weight.

In reality, everything does not happen so quickly. And everything turns out very ordinary.

I tell all my clients: we both lose weight and gain weight for one reason - because of the number of calories consumed.

Accordingly, what does the subconscious mind do when it needs to protect us with excess weight?

That's right - it increases our appetite.

I will give an example here too. For example, a girl has suffered from violence, and subconsciously wants to be unattractive to members of the opposite sex. She is in a state of anxiety, for her every trip to the store is stressful, and it is difficult to build social contacts (that is, there is no way to talk, express her emotions).

Our girl discovers that when she eats something sweet and washes it down with hot tea, her anxiety temporarily goes away. The family had a tradition of having evening family tea parties in front of the TV; she remembers that tea with sweets is safe, and where there are goodies, there is no alarm, no fear.

Moreover, there is no way for her to express her emotions, and there is no one to express them to. Why, she can’t understand them, the psychological trauma is not cured. Any open thoughts towards the problem (in this case, men) are painful. This pain accumulates. It is pushed deep into the subconscious, and even when you want to say something about your experiences, there is either no one, or it is socially unacceptable (you can’t be angry, you can’t be afraid out of nowhere, that’s how we are raised). And then she realizes that when she chews her saving chocolate, she feels better. As if she had said something necessary, or even bitten a possible offender. During and after eating, she experiences such a peaceful state - she feels good, she can calm down.

And it would be fine, just this. But there is another nuance: remembering your problems is painful. But sometimes thoughts creep in. Filling the void with something else when faced with the fresh shock of violence is very difficult. Accordingly, whoever can, fights the approaching depression, constantly driving away unpleasant memories. And then suddenly, she discovers that when she eats, cooks, even when she thinks about food, the problems themselves recede. Her perception is busy processing taste sensations, her hands and teeth are busy absorbing food, and at this moment you can definitely relax, this is the only “island of calm” in her life.

Do you think that with such introductory information, a woman will eat more and more often?

Of course. And, given the fact that all of the above is not realized (it is only understood that she receives joy and pleasure during the meal, and that this feeling is not capable of giving her anything else now, and all thoughts about problems, as we remember, are repressed) , - she will not be at all aware of why she suddenly gained weight, why her appetite has increased so much, and what to do about it all, how to lose weight.

Of course, cases are different. There are diseases in which weight increases not due to the fact that a person eats a lot, but due to the accumulation of fluid (for example, this can happen with various diseases: autoimmune, thyroid, etc.).

But still, it is psychogenic overeating that is the main cause of modern obesity. And the point here is much deeper than the banal “sugar addiction.”

How can you lose weight if you suspect a psychosomatic cause?

Symptoms of bulimia in teenagers

If symptoms of bulimia appear in adolescents, you should consult a general practitioner. The doctor will refer you to specialists to assess your somatic, neurological and mental status. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the child’s current treatment, as some drugs can cause conditions and reactions similar to signs of bulimia.

For example, symptoms of bulimia in adolescents include:

• attacks of severe hunger;
• eating a large amount of food at once;
• refusal to comply with food intake;
• underweight or overweight;
• nausea or vomiting after eating.

The family factor plays an important role in identifying signs of bulimia. During the examination, you should not neglect answering doctors’ questions about everyday life, the relationship between parents and child, eating behavior and family preferences.

Test: “Attitude towards food intake – EAT-26”

Read the statements carefully and choose the answer option that best suits your condition.

Number of questions in the test: 26

What do other scientists think?

According to Liz Burbo , a philosopher and psychologist who managed to reveal the secrets of personal happiness through self-love, the problem of excess weight is associated with emotional blocking, it is a consequence of humiliation in childhood. Adipose tissue is “protection from offenders.” This type of weight gain is typical for those who subconsciously want to occupy an important place in society, but consider themselves unworthy of it. As a result of this confrontation, overeating occurs. Another reason, in her opinion, is a mental block: overweight people are incapable of objectively assessing themselves.

Valery Sinelnikov , a famous psychotherapist and homeopath, author of numerous books on improving the quality of life, states that excess fat deposits are a consequence of the need to protect against some frightening factor. The fat layer is a kind of “shield” with which a person protects himself from others and hides his own experiences. According to Sinelnikov, excess weight also indicates dissatisfaction with oneself and an inability to confront one’s own emotions.

Causes of compulsive overeating

A clear theory explaining the causes of compulsive overeating has not yet been developed. Researchers point to several factors that could presumably cause the development of this disorder.

— Hereditary predisposition is considered one of the causes of compulsive overeating.

— Also, sociocultural aspects may play a role to some extent or in part in the occurrence of compulsive overeating. So, if in early childhood parents offered their child food as a consolation or reward, then this stereotype can be fixed for life.

— Psychological problems, such as dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, difficulties with self-control, and low self-esteem may be co-causal factors in the development of compulsive overeating.