What Is Compulsive Overeating?

In the modern world, stress is a frequent phenomenon that accompanies a person almost everywhere. The corresponding reaction of the body can manifest itself in different ways, one of the options is the uncontrolled absorption of food even in response to a slight negativity. This problem is not just a weakness, but a serious psychological disorder called compulsive overeating . Let's find out how this disease manifests itself and what measures should be taken to bring your condition back to normal.

Compulsive binge eating (or psychogenic binge eating ) is the most common eating disorder in which there is uncontrolled or partially uncontrolled overeating that leads to excess weight . Many people have heard this diagnosis, and unfortunately, most of them give it to themselves. However, one should not think that any excess weight and disruptions during the diet are related to compulsive overeating .

Often, following a strict diet , a person breaks down and eats some forbidden food, for example, a couple of candies or fast food. But this can happen because the diet was too strict, and the body literally lacked nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In response to this, he broke down in order to simply survive, because without certain nutrients our body cannot work harmoniously.

What is compulsive overeating and how does it manifest itself

Binge eating disorder is a medical diagnosis. Usually, this condition manifests itself in response to severe stress and is characteristic of people prone to excess weight , who are often on diets from an early age . Since psychogenic overeating occurs due to emotional experiences, and not due to hunger, a person often eats sweet and fatty food. This kind of diet gives bright taste sensations and thus temporarily suppresses negative emotions. A person eats during severe stress, in a state of anger, sadness or boredom in the absence of a feeling of hunger. In a short period of time, she eats such an amount of food that she would never be able to eat in a calm state.

For example, a person usually eats 2,000 kcal of food per day, and during an episode of compulsive overeating , this figure can reach a terrifying 10,000-20,000 kcal. At the same time, a person feels a loss of control over how he eats and does it much faster than usual. As a rule, due to a feeling of shame and a desire to hide attacks of gluttony, a person tries to eat alone. Moreover, she cannot stop until she reaches the state of shortness of breath, discomfort and even stomach pain. Afterwards, she feels a sense of guilt and self-hatred.

Signs of compulsive overeating

Specialists distinguish 4 clear criteria by which the disorder can be established.

• Regular attacks of gluttony in which you are unable to stop and stop eating.

• There is a terrible depression and a feeling of guilt that you are unable to control the situation.

• Attacks occur at least once a week for at least 3 months. Because a single break from a strict diet is not yet an eating disorder, but only a natural reaction of your exhausted body.

• Attacks of compulsive overeating are usually not accompanied by vomiting, as in bulimia or anorexia.

To be diagnosed with compulsive overeating , you must have all 4 symptoms. If you attack food only in cases of severe stress, depression or when you are bored or sad, the attacks are rare, you do not worry (or you worry, but not much) - this is overeating , but not compulsive in any way.

Who is at risk?

Women suffer from compulsive overeating more often than men. People whose bodies are often on display and who are forced to deny themselves food are also often prone to this disorder: they can be models, athletes, or those who, due to various circumstances, are forced to adhere to strict restrictions, etc.

How to treat compulsive overeating

The treatment of compulsive overeating requires a complex approach, since the basis of this disease lies in both psychological and physiological factors. A person suffering from this disease should consult not only a nutritionist, but also a psychotherapist. Treatment in this case should be extremely comprehensive in order to find the root cause and eliminate it.

It is necessary to simultaneously follow the principles of healthy eating and increase the sources of pleasure - it can be a hobby, meeting with friends, exercising, reading books, cooking, creativity, etc.

Can you help yourself?

The way to treat compulsive overeating is quite complicated. This is due to the fact that food is necessary and it is impossible to avoid its consumption. Because one of the independent steps to solve this problem is the organization of one's own food.

You need to learn to distinguish the feeling of physical hunger from the desire to eat a problem, make a list of healthy and useful foods, follow a clear plan and diet.

It is necessary to avoid any diets , especially strict ones, in which the diet is very limited. Any strict prohibitions and attempts to show willpower and not eat something can only provoke another breakdown.

Also, you should not hope that the problem will somehow be solved by itself. Compulsive overeating is a very serious psychological problem, because you don't need to try to close your eyes to it. While you hope that everything will be fine, attacks will become more frequent, excess weight will continue to grow, which will worsen the general state of health.

And remember: if you cannot cope with the problem on your own, you should contact a psychologist and nutritionist who will provide professional help. In no case do not start this problem: the sooner you turn to specialists, the sooner you can overcome food addiction.