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What Causes Obsessive-compulsive Disorder?
Question: Recently I began to experience sudden fears. I have always had anxiety that was brought on by my reactive hypoglycemia. but these fears that I am having seem irrational but for some reason I need to ask them.
I started carrying food everywhere I go, but not just a little bit, a lot. I just started taking about 6 to 10 meals with me when ever I leave the house for fear that I will need to eat and I need certain things to survive.
For example, I cannot leave the house unless I have some vegetables, fruits, chicken, red meat for iron, cottage cheese, ice or very cold water for hot days and specific foods I will order for delivery just to take with me because I feel they are the only things I can eat that will prevent me from getting sick. If i forget one thing on my list I have a panic attack. everyday is getting worse, but I need to know....
Don't be afraid to be blunt, but can a person become physically addicted to a food that can cause them to go crazy or fall ill if they don't consume it regularly if they are accustomed to it, or is it 100% in my mind and I making all this up?
I started carrying food everywhere I go, but not just a little bit, a lot. I just started taking about 6 to 10 meals with me when ever I leave the house for fear that I will need to eat and I need certain things to survive.
For example, I cannot leave the house unless I have some vegetables, fruits, chicken, red meat for iron, cottage cheese, ice or very cold water for hot days and specific foods I will order for delivery just to take with me because I feel they are the only things I can eat that will prevent me from getting sick. If i forget one thing on my list I have a panic attack. everyday is getting worse, but I need to know....
Don't be afraid to be blunt, but can a person become physically addicted to a food that can cause them to go crazy or fall ill if they don't consume it regularly if they are accustomed to it, or is it 100% in my mind and I making all this up?
Brief Answer:
No,foods don't cause any kind of addiction.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
First of all I am sorry for the problems you are facing that seems to mess with your life.
I can tall you that there is no physical condition (organic disease) that can make you addicted to any kind of food and cause these symptoms on you(foods that you absolutely need to take or if you don't you will be sick).These characteristic have the addictive drugs and not the foods.
I am afraid that the answer for your question is that everything is in your mind.
I am sorry for being so frankly to you.
From the description of your problem It seems to me that it is resembling a Obsessive-Compulsive disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and repetitive, ritualized behaviors you feel compelled to perform.People with OCD probably recognize that their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational – but even so, you feel unable to resist.
With treatment and self-help strategies, they can break free of the unwanted thoughts and irrational urges and take back control of their life.
If these thoughts and behaviors cause tremendous distress, take up a lot of time, and interfere with your daily life and relationships, it should be considered a disorder and you need professional help.
I suggest to see a Psychiatrist for counselling.
Don't worry, there are effective treatment options to help you with your problems, such as psychological therapy or medication.
Hope my answer has helped.If you have any further question,please feel free to write me,I will be happy to help.
Wish you all the best.
Take care
Dr.Rovena Murati
No,foods don't cause any kind of addiction.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
First of all I am sorry for the problems you are facing that seems to mess with your life.
I can tall you that there is no physical condition (organic disease) that can make you addicted to any kind of food and cause these symptoms on you(foods that you absolutely need to take or if you don't you will be sick).These characteristic have the addictive drugs and not the foods.
I am afraid that the answer for your question is that everything is in your mind.
I am sorry for being so frankly to you.
From the description of your problem It seems to me that it is resembling a Obsessive-Compulsive disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and repetitive, ritualized behaviors you feel compelled to perform.People with OCD probably recognize that their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational – but even so, you feel unable to resist.
With treatment and self-help strategies, they can break free of the unwanted thoughts and irrational urges and take back control of their life.
If these thoughts and behaviors cause tremendous distress, take up a lot of time, and interfere with your daily life and relationships, it should be considered a disorder and you need professional help.
I suggest to see a Psychiatrist for counselling.
Don't worry, there are effective treatment options to help you with your problems, such as psychological therapy or medication.
Hope my answer has helped.If you have any further question,please feel free to write me,I will be happy to help.
Wish you all the best.
Take care
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
So if i were vitamin deficient from lacking any certain food intake, I would not have any sudden onset illness? Or would it be more general like fatigue or brittle nails and weak joints? My fear is that something will happen that i will not be capable of fixing as it would cripple me in some way, like passing out. I know low iron can make you anemic but i do take a vitamin every day that has my iron in it.
Brief Answer:
No vitamin deficiency can cause acute symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
It is true that the lack of iron in your diet can cause Anemia but this is developed gradually if you don't take sufficient iron for months (malnutrition).The sign and symptoms onset is very gradual including tiredness,weakness,thin hair,brittle nails,pale skin,palpitation.
Nowadays this happen only in children, pregnant women,or in patient who suffer from chronic bleeding.
If you eat normally every day (meat, eggs, seafood , vegetables,fruits,beans ) you will get the sufficient amount of iron.
Is the same for all other Vitamins and minerals.
A healthy diet that includes the above foods will provide with the necessary amount of Vitamins that you body need.
In order to develop a disease from the lack of these Vitamins you probably should be without taking those in foods for months because the body has his own deposit for essential Vitamins and minerals and the symptoms are developed only when those deposits are emptied.
Even if you are lack in Vitamins and minerals,there is no acute danger from this.You will feel the symptoms for some time before you realizing something is wrong.
Finally,there is no Vitamin or Mineral in foods that can cause sudden illness if you don't take it.
It is just in your mind.
Try not to think anymore about this.If you eat your regular meals and eat healthy food, you will be OK and don't need to take any food with you.
Hope it answered your inquiry.
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena Murati
No vitamin deficiency can cause acute symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
It is true that the lack of iron in your diet can cause Anemia but this is developed gradually if you don't take sufficient iron for months (malnutrition).The sign and symptoms onset is very gradual including tiredness,weakness,thin hair,brittle nails,pale skin,palpitation.
Nowadays this happen only in children, pregnant women,or in patient who suffer from chronic bleeding.
If you eat normally every day (meat, eggs, seafood , vegetables,fruits,beans ) you will get the sufficient amount of iron.
Is the same for all other Vitamins and minerals.
A healthy diet that includes the above foods will provide with the necessary amount of Vitamins that you body need.
In order to develop a disease from the lack of these Vitamins you probably should be without taking those in foods for months because the body has his own deposit for essential Vitamins and minerals and the symptoms are developed only when those deposits are emptied.
Even if you are lack in Vitamins and minerals,there is no acute danger from this.You will feel the symptoms for some time before you realizing something is wrong.
Finally,there is no Vitamin or Mineral in foods that can cause sudden illness if you don't take it.
It is just in your mind.
Try not to think anymore about this.If you eat your regular meals and eat healthy food, you will be OK and don't need to take any food with you.
Hope it answered your inquiry.
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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