Originally Posted by
SkyBird 
I've noticed two things about myself and I'm wondering if they're traits that other alcoholics share.
One is that I'm an extremely sensitive person. From a young age I was always very sensitive to external stimuli. I used to panic when I heard the dial-up internet sound because it scared me. Bright lights, strange noises, strong smells, REALLY bothered me. I remember running out of a kitchen once because the smell of the meat was so unbearable. To this day, I'm still very sensitive. If I watch a horror movie, I will likely have nightmares for the next 6 months about it.
Another is that long, long before I considered drinking, I was obsessed with food. I could never just eat one Oreo- I had to finish the pack, or have my parents take it away. Sugar in particular. I used to fantasize about the next time I'd be able to eat ice cream, or Cheetos, or any other junk food. Because of this I was an overweight child and developed mild anorexia around the 4th grade, but that's another story.
My point is I don't resonate with a lot of the so-called "alcoholic" characteristics (irrational resentments, being an angry drunk, sexual misconduct, driving drunk, gambling or taking extreme risks) but I do have these two characteristics, and I wondered if anyone could relate.
Hey SkyBird,
Thanks for your post. I don't have the same response to external stimuli as you do however I have the same kind of issue with observations. I tend to be super observant with certain things and I pick up on a lot of things that other people don't see. So, for example, I could be in the waiting room at the doctors and I can't help but pick up on everything that everyone in that room is doing. A friend of mine has also said that I can tell what a lot of people are thinking before they can. It's a shame I can't use that talent on myself
With regards to food I've had a similar experience. I didn't know when to stop. I grew up in a Greek household and food always had a very prominent place in my childhood. I used to eat until I felt sick and to some extent I still gorge on certain foods and drink. However, I'm very into my fitness now so I tend to gorge and overeat on very healthy low calories foods.
Natom