Compulsive Eating

Compulsive eating, also known as food addiction, is a disorder in which the individual indulges often by overeating and using the food as a way to cope with stress, emotional conflicts, and daily problems. It is characterized by uncontrollable eating resulting in weight gain. Food is used to obstruct feelings and emotions and eating becomes somewhat of a “high” for food addicts. Compulsive eaters typically feel out of control and are often conscious that their eating habits are extremely irregular.

Signs of this disorder are binge eating, eating when not physically hungry, eating faster than normal, eating alone because of feelings of shame or embarrassment, preoccupation with body weight, depression, mood swings, rapid weight gain, withdrawal from activity, history of unsuccessful diets, low self esteem, and eating little in front of people, but maintaining a high body weight. People that are most affected are those who have never learned to cope with stressful situations. This most likely begins in their childhood when eating patterns are developed. The more weight they gain, the harder dieting becomes. This usually leads to a pattern of dieting and then binging. Binging then results in feelings of powerlessness, guilt, shame, and failure. Food addicts will spend lots of time devoted to food and furtively planning or fantasizing about eating alone.

If this addiction is left untreated it can result in serious medical conditions. These conditions may include obesity leading to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea and major depression. Furthermore, there are long-term side effects that may result in kidney disease, arthritis, bone deterioration and stroke. Unfortunately, today’s society does not take compulsive eating seriously enough. Instead of treating individuals for the serious problem they have, they are usually instructed to go to diet centers and health spas. The serious psychological conditions that cause overeating can also lead to substance abuse. The resulting substance abuse can cause further medical complications, deterioration of health and even death.

Over eaters need to be able to deal with their behavioral issues by getting the proper compulsive eating disorder treatment consisting of therapy, medical care and nutritional counseling so they can begin their road to recovery. If the overeating is accompanied by substance abuse or addiction, the sufferer should seek specialized dual diagnosis treatment from a licensed rehab facility like Destination Hope where the underlying cause of the physical and psychological disorders can be fully diagnosed and treated.

Speaking to an addiction counselor trained in dual diagnosis is the first step to compulsive eating disorder treatment and our trained therapists are ready to answer any questions you may have about compulsive eating and the resultant substance abuse. Please call us today to start on the path to recovery.