Compulsive overeating is a food addiction in which a person overeats to overcome daily problems and stresses. During overeating, the person feels out of control and may consume large quantities of food. Episodes of overeating are usually followed by feelings of guilt, depression and shame.
Compulsive overeating is be done by binging, in which large quantity of food is consumed at a time, or food is eaten throughout the day. Compulsive eating leads to high intake of calories and results in obesity and other health problems such as high cholesterol, heart problems, depression, hypertension etc.
As compulsive overeaters gain weight due to overeating, they tend to compensate this by dieting. Dieting is often followed by episodes of overeating. Unlike bulimia, compulsive overeaters do not compensate overeating through purging behaviors such as fasting, vomiting, and using laxatives.
Reasons Behind Compulsive Overeating:
Compulsive overeaters use food as a coping mechanism to mange emotional lows. As food can block emotions and feelings, episodes of overeating can bring temporary comfort. However, frequent cycles of overeating and feeling may leave them helpless.
Compulsive overeating usually starts in childhood when kids may use food to cope with problems. If proper way of dealing with stressful events is not learned in childhood, overeating may become a habit even in adulthood.
Symptoms of Compulsive Overeating:
Following are the symptoms of compulsive overeating:
- Overeating, binge eating uncontrollably
- Depression and low-self esteem
- Excessive concern over body weight
- Following diets regularly
Compulsive Overeating Treatment:
Counseling and therapy to relieve the emotional conflicts can help in treating compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeating is a behavioral problem and hence, professional help can treat this problem.
Treatment involves enabling the patient to develop a healthy relationship with food. Nutritional therapy, medical intervention may also be included to treat this problem. As, compulsive overeating can lead to physical and mental problems, treatment should be provided to the patient as soon as possible
