Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive overeating is sometimes called food addiction. In compulsive overeating disorder the person becomes obsessed with food and frequently eat large amounts of food, known as binge eating. After a period of binge eating, they feel depressed and guilty. Unlike with bulimia, they do not purge after binge eating.
Compulsive overeaters will think about food constantly and they often eat past the point of being full. They plan meals obsessively and will often eat in secret. Compulsive overeating may not lead to obesity, although many compulsive overeaters are overweight. However, some compulsive overeaters will maintain a normal or average weight.
Signs that someone is a compulsive overeater or suffers from binge eating disorder are:
- Eating uncontrollably even when full
- Even very rapidly
- Eating alone
- Obsessing about the next meal, even just after a large meal
- Rapid fluctuations in weight
- Tries many different diets
- Eats compulsively in reaction to stress or difficult feelings
In some cases of binge eating disorder, the person may consume 5000 calories or more. Some report feeling “high” after this massive intake of food. Research indicates that the binge eating may impact the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that cause a person to feel good.
Compulsive overeating can be treated through counseling and therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective tool in treating this disorder. Twelve-step programs such as Overeater’s Anonymous also help overeaters as they learn how to be more accountable for their food intake and they develop a peer support network of others in recovery from compulsive overeating.
