Food is the cure to all worries-at least that's
how a great number of people feel. I'm sure you've heard of the
term "comfort food". Unfortunately, compulsive overeating is
usually used as a tool to escape from stress, worries, or just
reality in general. Shame and regret about overeating soon follow
bouts of compulsive overeating.
Compulsive overeating appears twice as often in women then it does
in men. The overeater will continue to eat even after they feel
uncomfortably full. Many of the health risks associated with
compulsive overeating relate to the weight gain linked to the
overeating patterns. Compulsive overeating usually follows a
gradual progression. Roots for compulsive overeating are typically
formed during childhood. Food might have been used to make a child
feel better if they were upset. This pattern of using food as an
emotional distraction or escape would continue and slowly spiral
downwards until it reaches it peak later in life.
The shame and
guilt that compulsive overeaters feel often leads them to try and
stop their eating patterns. This often leads to obsession with food
and rigorous dieting standards. The dieting standards might slow
down or offset weight gain, but emotional needs are the main reason
for compulsive overeating. Dieting standards are often set too high
for the person to achieve, which leads them to feelings of failure
and disappointment. Since their emotions are the primary reasons
overeaters turn to food, the failure associated with not reaching
the goals of the diet will lead to even more overeating. This turns
into a vicious downward spiral of negative emotions and food. The
shame and guilt about weight gain and appearance will cause the
person to withdraw from society. Low self esteem is also usually
present during this time.
Prejudice is extremely common toward compulsive overeaters. Their
problem is seen as a lack of self control. Words like gluttonous,
lazy, and disgusting are hurled at compulsive overeaters.
Compulsive overeating is just as legitimate as anorexia nervosa, or
bulimia nervosa, and is just recently gaining the proper
recognition.
Compulsive overeaters can have very interesting habits associated
with their aliment. Hiding or hording of food can be common. Lack
of control of eating during binge periods is another
characteristic. Some emotional symptoms can be moodiness,
irritability, depression, regret about eating, perfectionist
tendencies, and avoidance of conflict.
Treatment for compulsive overeating is most successful when it is
guided by a mental health professional. The mental health
profession is recommended because overeating is usually related to
deep rooted emotional problems.
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