relapse characterized by disinhibition. This transition from lapse to relapse and the
associated changes in mood and cognitions is illustrated in Figure 6.8.
These parallels have been supported by research suggesting that both excessive
eating and alcohol use can be triggered by high risk situations and low mood (Brownell
et al. 1986a; Grilo et al. 1989). In addition, the transition from lapse to relapse in both
alcohol and eating behaviour has been found to be related to the internal attributions
(e.g. ‘I am to blame’) for the original lapse (e.g. Ogden and Wardle 1990). In particular,
researchers exploring relapses in addictive behaviours describe the ‘abstinence violation
effect’ which describes the transition from a lapse (one drink) to a relapse (becoming
drunk) as involving cognitive dissonance (e.g. ‘I am trying not to drink but I have just
had a drink’), internal attributions (e.g. ‘It is my fault’) and guilt (e.g. ‘I am a useless
person’) (Marlatt and Gordon 1985). These factors find reflection in the overeating
shown by dieters (Ogden and Wardle 1990).
viii) The role of control The interview data from a study of 25 women who were
attempting to lose weight provides further insights into the mechanisms behind over-
eating (Ogden 1992). The results from this study indicated that the women described
their dieting behaviour in terms of the impact on their family life, a preoccupation with
food and weight and changes in mood. However, the concept of self control transcended
these themes. For example, when describing how she had prepared a meal for her family
one woman said ‘I did not want to give in, but I felt that after preparing a three-course
meal for everyone else, the least I could do was enjoy my efforts’. The sense of not giving
in suggests an attempt to impose control over her eating. In terms of the preoccupation
with food, one woman said ‘Why should I deprive myself of nice food’ and another said
‘Now that I’ve eaten that I might as well give in to all the drives to eat’. Such statements
again illustrate a sense of self control and a feeling that eating reflects a breakdown in
this control. In terms of mood, one woman said that she was ‘depressed that something
as simple as eating cannot be controlled’. Likewise this role of self control was also
apparent in the women’s negative descriptions of themselves with one woman saying
Fig. 6-8 The ‘what the hell’ effect as a form of relapseEATING BEHAVIOUR 159