Understanding Compulsive Overeating

I am sure that you have heard about all of the different types of eating disorders that are out there. But, many people still focus on anorexia and bulimia when it comes to different eating disorders that effect the general population. Most people do not stop to think about compulsive overeating and how this eating disorder can really effect someone's life.

The first thing that you need to remember related to compulsive overeating is that this disorder is much more than simply eating to much at a party every now and them. Individuals that are dealing with a binge disorder will consume very large amounts of food whether they are hungry or not. It is often like a compulsion and the person is not really able to stop eating. Even when the person is full, he or she may still feel compelled to consume these large amounts of food.

A second component related to compulsive overeating is the fact that most of the people that engage in this behavior will ultimately suffer from feelings of shame or guilt when they are finished. They generally feel powerless, like they can not stop the behavior no matter how hard they try. This person may also become secretive about the amount of food that he or she is consuming on a regular basis.

There are several things that can trigger binge eating and this may include stress or even abuse. It can be very difficult to determine what is causing the problem until you have made the decision to speak to a professional. The same is true for parents of children that may be dealing with this disorder. It is very important to speak to a professional so that the child is able to determine what may be causing the eating disorder. This is the only way to begin working on developing positive coping skills and finding peace related to one's life.

Compulsive overeating goes beyond simply eating too much food. This can cause a lot of health and emotional problems for the individual that is engaging in this behavior. You will find that it can result in serious medical problems related to poor dieting. It could also result in a poor self-esteem and poor body image if the person has put on a lot of weight and he or she is not able to control the eating in order to lose weight.

Finally, this eating disorder can cause poor self-esteem because the person continually feels guilty and ashamed of what he or she has done. This can make it very difficult to engage in positive and healthy activities. The person may feel compelled to hide away and isolate oneself. It can become very difficult to simply fulfill the requirements that are needed in order to be effective and responsible individuals. Therefore, getting help is the most important step. Admitting that a problem is occurring will result in effective treatment. This means that the cause of the overeating can be explored, fixed and positive coping skills can be developed and implemented on a regular basis.

By Christine Crotts