A person may appear quite successful to others outside the home but privately an addict calms feelings of anxiety, emotional pain, dread, shame or PTSD with drugs, alcohol or a compulsive behavior, masking the need for mature problem - solving.
«Binge eaters, food addicts, yo - yo dieters and people who are obese are often trying to eat to stimulate certain brain responses such as feelingcalmer or feeling pleasure.»