Overview: People with this type have trouble shifting their attention and tend to get stuck on thoughts of food or compulsive eating behaviors. They may also get stuck on anxious or depressing thoughts. The basic mechanism of this type is that they tend to get stuck or locked into one course of action. They tend to have trouble seeing options and want to have things their way. They struggle with cognitive inflexibility. This type is also associated with worry, holding grudges, and having problems with oppositional or argumentative behavior. Nighttime-eating syndrome, where people tend to gorge at night and not be hungry early in the day, usually fits this pattern.

SPECT findings: The most common brain SPECT finding in this type is increased anterior cingulate gyrus activity, which is most commonly caused by low brain serotonin levels.

What doesn’t work:

High-protein diets, diet pills, and stimulants (such as Ritalin) usually make this type worse.

What works:

Interventions to boost serotonin in the brain are generally the most helpful.

Supplements to try:

• Serotonin Mood Support (Neuro 5-HTP)

Behavioral Interventions:

The following changes in behavior may boost serotonin to help compulsive overeaters:

• Exercise to allow more of the serotonin precursor, l-tryptophan, to get into the brain.
• If you get a thought in your head more than three times, get up and go do something to distract yourself.
• Allow yourself several options, because people with this type always do better with choices, rather than edicts.
• Avoid automatically opposing others or saying no, even to yourself.
• If you have trouble sleeping, try a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of vanilla and a few drops of stevia.