Understanding Food Use Disorder Hidden Struggles, Signals, and Recovery Paths
                     Food Use Disorder: 
Addiction, Obsession, and 
SFoode usce drisoerdetr  exEistsa in tthie ncomgplex intersection between addiction, 
obsession, and secretive behaviours. Though not officially recognised in 
diagnostic manuals, these interconnected patterns affect millions, causing 
significant distress and health consequences. This presentation explores the 
mechanisms, manifestations, and management of disordered relationships 
with food.
What is Food Use 
Disorder?
Food Use Disorder describes a complex pattern of behaviours Key Components
characterised by loss of control around food, persistent food 
cravings, and continued problematic eating despite negative • Compulsive consumption patterns
consequences.
Whilst not officially recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical • Persistent food obsession
Manual (DSM-5), it shares significant features with both 
substance use disorders and established eating disorders. • Secretive eating behaviours
• Continued eating despite harm
Unlike other eating disorders that focus primarily on body 
•
image, Food Use Disorder centres on the relationship with Impaired daily functioning
food itself and the psychological mechanisms that drive 
disordered eating patterns.
Food Addiction 
Explained
Certain foods—particularly those high in sugar, fat, and 
salt (known as hyper-palatable foods)—can trigger the 
brain's reward system in ways remarkably similar to 
Tadhidsi cnteivuer osluobgsictaaln rceessp.onse involves:
• Release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters
• Activation of the same neural pathways as drugs of abuse The Yale Food Addiction Scale is the most widely 
• used tool to assess food addiction, measuring Development of tolerance requiring more food for the 
symptoms like loss of control and continued use 
• Esaxmpeer ieeffneccet of withdrawal-like symptoms when cutting back despite negative consequences.
Obsession with Food
Time Consumption Mental Preoccupation Emotional Connection
Excessive time spent Intrusive thoughts about Food obsession often linked 
planning meals, researching food that interfere with to emotional triggers such as 
recipes, or creating concentration on work, stress, loneliness, or 
elaborate food rules. Many relationships, or other boredom. Food becomes the 
report spending 3+ hours activities. Food becomes the primary coping mechanism 
daily preoccupied with food default "background for difficult feelings.
thoughts. programme" in the mind.
This constant preoccupation with food—whether fantasising about eating, planning elaborate "cheat meals," or 
obsessing over nutritional details—significantly diminishes quality of life and creates a mental burden that can 
feel inescapable.
Secret Eating
Secret eating involves consuming food in isolation or actively 
hiding evidence of eating from others. This behaviour represents 
one of the most emotionally damaging aspects of food use 
disorder.
"I would wait until everyone was asleep, then sneak to the 
kitchen. The shame wasn't just about what I ate, but about 
feeling I needed to hide it."
Secrecy Cycle
The more one eats in secret, the greater the shame becomes, creating a self-
perpetuating cycle that reinforces disordered eating patterns and emotional 
distress.
Common Drivers
• Intense shame about eating habits
• Fear of judgment from others
• Desire to avoid criticism
Signs & 
Symptoms
01 02 03
Powerful Cravings Loss of Control Failed Reduction Attempts
Experiencing intense, difficult-to-resist Consistently eating larger amounts than Multiple unsuccessful efforts to cut down 
urges for specific foods, even when intended or for longer periods, with a on problematic foods despite genuine 
physically full or satiated. sensation of being "taken over" during desire to change eating patterns.
eating episodes.
04 05
Withdrawal Symptoms Eating Despite Consequences
Experiencing irritability, mood swings, headaches, or other Continuing problematic eating patterns despite awareness of 
physical symptoms when reducing intake of certain foods. physical, psychological, or social problems clearly caused by 
these behaviours.
The persistence of multiple symptoms over time is more significant than any single behaviour in isolation. Most individuals with 
Food Use Disorder report 4+ symptoms occurring regularly over at least a three-month period.
Emotional Triggers & The 
Cycle
Primary Emotional Triggers
Research shows that 
• Stress: The most commonly emotional eating activates 
reported trigger (72% of cases) different neural pathways 
• Loneliness: Often leads to than hunger-based eating, 
comfort eating as substitute for explaining why emotional 
• cBoonrneedcotimon: Eating to stimulate eating rarely leads to 
dopamine when understimulated satisfaction or fullness 
signals.
• Sadness: Using food to 
temporarily elevate mood
Understanding one's personal triggers is a crucial first step in breaking the 
cycle. Many people report being unaware of their emotional triggers until 
they begin keeping detailed food and mood journals.
Health & Life Consequences
Physical Impact Psychological Toll Social Consequences
• Weight fluctuations (both gain and • Depression and anxiety symptoms • Withdrawal from social eating 
cycling) • Diminished self-esteem and self- • sSittruaainti oonns close relationships
• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes and • wCoogrtnhitive preoccupation reducing • Reduced participation in activities
metabolic syndrome mental bandwidth • Financial impact from food 
• Chronic fatigue and energy • Feelings of helplessness and loss of • eCxapreeenrd liitmurietations due to mental 
• flDuigcetustaitvieo nisssues and gut agency preoccupation
• iSnlfleeapm dmisattuiorbnances and poor quality • Shame cycles that worsen over time
rest
The cumulative effect of these consequences creates a significant burden on quality of life. Recovery efforts 
typically address all three dimensions simultaneously.
Recovery & Support 
Strategies
Identify Trigger Foods
1 Recognise which specific foods consistently lead to loss of 
control or compulsive eating. These often differ between 
individuals.
Seek Professional Support
2 Work with specialists including psychologists, registered 
dietitians, and addiction counsellors who understand food-
related disorders.
Join Support Communities
3 Groups like Overeaters Anonymous or Food Addicts Anonymous 
Recovery from Food Use Disorder is a journey rather than a 
provide understanding, accountability, and lived experience 
destination. Research shows that multi-modal approaches combining 
wisdom.
psychological, nutritional, and social support offer the highest 
Practice Mindful Eating success rates.With appropriate support, individuals can develop a healthier 
4 relationship with food and experience significant improvements in Develop awareness of hunger/fullness cues and emotional 
physical health, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life.
states related to eating through structured mindfulness 
techniques.
Contact Us 
Mark Leeds, D.O.
3290 NE 33rd St, Fort 
Lauderdale, FL 33308
+1 954 776 6226
[email protected]
DrLeeds.com