Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive overeaters are often caught in the vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. With the eating disorder of 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 the behavior accompanying this eating disorder can be severe and even life threatening. Diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems are just a few of the dangerous complications.
Like eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating is a disease and cannot be cured with willpower alone.
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 the behavior accompanying this eating disorder can be severe and even life threatening. Diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems are just a few of the dangerous complications.
Like eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia, Compulsive Overeating is a disease and cannot be cured with willpower alone.