Compulsive overeating disorder

Binge eating or compulsive overeating disorder is a treatable condition that seriously threatens a person’s health

A person suffering from compulsive overeating disorder is essentially addicted to food. Also called binge eating, people with this condition often continue to eat long after they would normally feel full. It is usually followed by a deep sense of shame and guilt. Compulsive overeating disorder has much in common with bulimia, but differs in that the individual does not enter a purging stage.

According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, someone with compulsive overeating disorder may either binge on large amounts of food at once or continuously graze throughout the day. Individuals may eat to deal with depression or stress, and may eat to cope with their poor body image, which further adds to their condition. It inevitably leads to obesity, though not every overweight person has compulsive overeating disorder.

Compulsive overeating disorder is treatable. Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds and deep sadness that many people with the condition feel, most people who are treated fully, recover from their symptoms.

As a compulsive overeating disorder has a profound affect on body weight, it is important that more than just behaviour is addressed. Though it is essential that both the person’s depression and compulsive overeating disorder be treated, weight loss programs should be implemented to ensure that they bring themselves down to a manageable body weight lest they suffer from a whole host of serious health problems, many of which are life threatening. It is therefore very important for anyone with a compulsive overeating disorder to learn the facts, talk to their doctor and get the treatment that could save their life.