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Definition
Signs
Physical
Definition
Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating and
consequent weight gain. Compulsive overeaters use food as a way to cope
with stress, emotional conflicts and daily problems. The food can block
out feelings and emotions. Compulsive overeaters usually feel out of
control and are aware their eating patterns are abnormal. Like bulimics,
compulsive overeaters do recognize they have a problem.
Compulsive overeating usually starts in early childhood when eating
patterns are formed. Most people who become compulsive eaters are people
who never learned the proper way to deal with stressful situations and
used food instead as a way of coping. Fat can also serve as a protective
function for them, especially in people that have been victims of sexual
abuse. They sometimes feel that being overweight will keep others at a
distance and make them less attractive. Unlike anorexia and bulimia,
there is a high proportion of male overeaters.
The more weight that is gained, the harder they try to diet and
dieting is usually what leads to the next binge, which can be followed
by feelings of powerlessness, guilt, shame and failure. Dieting and
bingeing can go on forever if the emotional reasons for the bingeing is
not dealt with.
In today's society, compulsive overeating is not yet
taken seriously enough. Instead of being treated for the serious problem
they have, they are instead directed to diet centers and health spas.
Like anorexia and bulimia, compulsive overeating is a serious problem
and can result in death. With the proper treatment, which should include
therapy, medical and nutritional counseling, it can be overcome.
Signs
and Symptoms
- Binge eating
- Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily
- Depression
- Self-deprecating thoughts following binges
- Withdrawing from activities because of embarrassment about weight
- Going on many different diets
- Eating little in public, while maintaining a high weight
- Believing they will be a better person when thin
- Feelings about self based on weight
- Social and professional failures attributed to weight
- Feeling tormented by eating habits
- Weight is focus of life
Physical/Medical
Complications
- Weight gain
- Hypertension or fatigue
- Heart ailments
- Mobility problems
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Varicose veins
- Hiatal hernia
- Embolism
- Sleep depravation
- Toxemia during pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- High Cholesterol levels
- Cardiac arrest and death
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