Compulsive Overeating

Introduction

Compulsive overeating disorder sufferers frequently overeat, but not because they’re hungry. Rather, people eat in an attempt to feel better and find relief. The reverse occurs. They experience shame, guilt, and a loss of self-control, all of which serve to encourage overeating once more. They are most frequently overweight and male. Obsessive overeating can result in several health issues, including death. Treatment options include therapy, medication, or a combination of these.

What is Compulsive Overeating?

There is more to compulsive overeating than the occasional overindulgence. The intricate and deeply ingrained pattern of disordered eating known as compulsive eating disorder includes eating abnormally large quantities of food even when one is not physically hungry. Emotional anguish is the driving force behind compulsive overeating, as opposed to normal overeating, which might happen in social situations or on special occasions. Eating serves as a coping strategy, providing momentary solace from challenging feelings such as stress and worry. However, overeating triggers intense guilt and humiliation, necessitating professional assistance to break this cycle.

Causes

Overeating can occasionally be a coping mechanism for difficult life circumstances or unpleasant emotions, including boredom, fear, grief, or shame. But many people don’t realise that their overeating is a result of emotional issues. Some researchers suggested it as a food addiction. It seems like a harmful way to cope with stress, despair, low self-esteem, or unpleasant feelings.

Those who obsessively overeat frequently have low self-esteem and feel “not good enough.” Typically, compulsive overeating starts in childhood. Compulsive overeating may be exacerbated by family strife, overbearing parents, and parents who forbid emotional expression.

Compulsive Overeating’s Emotional Contributions:

Stress and anxiety
Depression and depressing or gloomy sentiments
Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, or boredom
Unresolved emotional difficulties or trauma

Psychological aspects of compulsive overeating:

Poor body image or low self-esteem
Having trouble controlling your emotions or handling stress
Perception of food as a reward or a source of comfort
Unhealthy mental habits or false assumptions regarding food and eating

Environmental Elements That Contribute to Compulsive Eating:

Social and cultural factors that affect eating patterns and body image
Peer or family pressure on the emergence of disordered eating habits
Bullying or making fun of someone’s appearance or weight

Genetic Contributions to Obsessive Overeating:

A history of eating problems, including obsessive eating, in the family
A few genetic variants linked to reward systems and the body’s reaction to food
Hereditary characteristics pertaining to appetite control

Symptoms

Compulsive overeaters may eat by themselves to conceal their issue. Although they may struggle to communicate their problems to others, they are typically aware that their actions and attitudes are improper. The loved ones of someone who obsesses over eating often identify the symptoms and assist the person in getting treatment.

Compulsive overeaters eat, like, abnormally large amounts of food on a frequent basis throughout the day.
They may eat when they do not feel hungry and continue to eat after they feel full.
They may feel they can’t stop eating, control their consumption, or eat frequently.
They might eat by themselves and keep their obsessive overeating habits a secret.

Obsessive overeaters may try to regulate their weight by dieting. Dieting, however, may make them feel deprived, which would encourage compulsive eating.

They are often overweight or obese, yet they may have a history of weight changes. They could feel embarrassed about their weight.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, panic disorder, depression, and anxiety can also coexist with compulsive overeating.

Compulsive overeating can cause major health problems if left unaddressed. Depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and bone disorders are among the related medical issues. Overeating compulsively can have fatal cumulative effects.

Prevention

It’s not always possible to stop compulsive overeating. When the illness has childhood roots, the phenomenon is even more likely to occur. However, the following ideas may be useful:

Avoid following rigid diets. They might quickly result in a sense of deprivation. Binge eating is the result of these emotions.
Examine your perception of your body. If you have a bad body image, consult a psychologist, nutritionist, or dietician.
Recognize when to eat so that you feel comfortable. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you’re experiencing anxiety, anger, or depression.

Pay attention to how you react on social media. Posts on social media have the potential to raise irrational expectations, which can lead to anxiety and melancholy. A binge may be triggered by several responses.

Treatment

Treating a person’s physical and mental well-being is part of the treatment for compulsive overeating. One of the most important objectives is to curb the urge to overeat. Recognize that rehabilitation is possible if you or a loved one are experiencing compulsive overeating. The treatment program provides a comprehensive approach to care.

Make eating habits more commonplace
Keep health conditions stable

Control the symptoms of co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, trauma)

Boost the standard of living

Learn to overcome beliefs and behaviours related to disordered eating, such as purging through self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, or restricted eating (yo-yo dieting). For emotional, cognitive, and behavioural issues related to compulsive overeating, psychotherapy is beneficial. It could involve group treatment, family counselling, or individual therapy. Additionally helpful could be structured food planning, nutrition education, and instruction in healthful exercise.