A diet that works well for one person may be completely wrong for another person.
Why? Different brain systems drive different tendencies and behaviors. Most diets fail because they take a one-size-fits-all approach. Our work with SPECT imaging has shown us that there are
multiple types of overeaters:
• Some are compulsive
• Some are impulsive
• Some are compulsive AND impulsive
• Some eat to improve their mood
• And, some eat to calm their worries
Introducing Type 5: Anxious Overeater
People with this type tend to use food to medicate their feelings of
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Nervousness
• Fear
They may be plagued by feelings of panic and self-doubt, and suffer physical symptoms of anxiety, such as:
1. Muscle tension
2. Nail biting
3. Headaches
4. Abdominal pain
5. Heart palpitations
6. Shortness of breath
7. Sore muscles
It is as if anxious overeaters have an overload of tension and emotion. They tend to predict the worst and often complain of waiting for something bad to happen. They may be excessively shy, easily startled, and freeze in emotionally charged situations.
Certain behaviors and substances can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and make anxious overeaters more likely to eat in an attempt to make those feelings go away.
For example:
• Focusing on the negative
• Believing every negative thought they have
• Too much caffeine or other stimulating substances
• Drinking alcohol
What SPECT Tells Us
The SPECT scans of anxious overeaters often show increased activity in the basal ganglia, which is commonly caused by low levels of the calming
neurotransmitter GABA.
Interventions to boost GABA combined with
relaxation techniques that calm the brain are generally the most helpful.
We Can Help Today
If you would like to learn more about how Amen Clinics can help you with the stress, anxiety, or panic or overeating in your life, call us today at 877-335-8941 or
visit our website. You CAN change your brain and change your life!
