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Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. With compulsive overeating food is used as a coping
mechanism to deal with uncomfortable feelings. Many compulsive overeaters speak
of using the episodes as a way to numb all that is going on
around them. The amount of food eaten and duration can vary greatly.
For many individuals suffering from Compulsive Overeating, binges may not be able
to be broken into specific episodes but rather days where the individual eats more
than normal throughout the day. Triggers for compulsive overeating include depression,
anxiety, interpersonal stressors, boredom, prolonged dieting, and body image dissatisfaction.
Compulsive overeating may temporarily relieve the stress of these unwanted feelings,
but for the individual the overeating episodes are unfortunately followed
by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and further depression. For the compulsive
Overeater, episodes of Compulsive Overeating usually occur in secret and any evidence
is often hidden from others.
It is not uncommon for the individual to eat normally or even restrictively
in front of others and then make up for eating less by overeating in
private at a later time. Late at night, when others are asleep
or frequenting fast food restaurants and convenience stores alone, can also be common.
Many even have a secret stash of junk food hidden for their
personal use.
Similar to Anorexics and Bulimics, compulsive overeaters are constantly struggling
and are unhappy with their weight. The number read on the
scale often determines how they feel about themselves. Constant
dieting and restricting food becomes a way of life.
Each new diet is tried in hope that it will be the one that works to combat the
overeating. At first, there may even be some weight loss success with the diet, but unfortunately in most cases each diet
ends in failure and all the lost weight is regained. Thus continues the devastating
cycle.
Medical complications from this behavior can be severe and
even life threatening. Diabetes, hypertension and cardiac
problems are just a few of the dangerous complications.
Like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, compulsive overeating is a disease and
cannot be cured with willpower alone.
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