Compulsive eating disorders are simply an obsession or compulsion to overeat. Closely related to other disorders such as binge eating, emotional eating, it’s a distinct disorder on its own that needs unique treatment. It typically happens all the time, and failure to overeat can trigger intense feelings of guilt. Also, the habit in itself can lead to an emotional disturbance, which encourages the habit.
Like other eating disorders, it’s often caused by some underlying psychological problems. As much as food is one of our most basic needs, overeating, outside of the demands of hunger or causal snacking, can be harmful. Overeating any time of the day often leaves one uncomfortable, making the saying “too much of everything is bad” true, again and again.
Why do some people overeat?
Some of the popular reasons are lack of proper self-esteem, sedentary lifestyle, easy access to food, trying to avoid certain foods due to poor dieting routine, thereby overeating preferred sets of food to overcompensate, among others.
The most common compulsive eating disorder is binge eating disorder (BED). It’s the desire to eat large quantities of food every time. The person may have even vowed to stop overeating but finds it difficult to control. And each time the person goes back to overeating food, they become sad but don’t exactly know how to stop it. Most of the people affected by this disorder may be obese due to the strange eating pattern, but others may maintain slimmer bodies as they continue to indulge.
Compulsive overeating may not necessarily have its source in biological or psychological factors but just by starting to overeat one day at a time. However, it is what can be unlearned easily if one’s mind is put to work on it consciously.
How to curb compulsive eating
It’s natural to overeat, especially under certain circumstances like birthdays, picnics, and elsewhere. But if the compulsion becomes a chronic pattern, it may be time to seek a compulsive treatment plan. While eating little food over a while may correct this pattern over time, it’s advisable to seek expert help to compliment your effort.
- Become more active
One way to curb this disorder is to get busy with work, either a paid job or even volunteering. This will reduce visiting readily accessible outlets for food. Also, try always to be outdoors without your credit card or any money at all, so you don’t quickly get to buy food when you’re not hungry.
- Accountability Partner
Get an accountability partner who will always hold you accountable for not going against your decision to stop overeating.
- Regular Exercising
It doesn’t have to be rigorous. You could start small by waking up to take a walk around your immediate community, eating breakfast, and leaving the house to get engaged with something productive. This helps to make sure you don’t eat out of order and ensures you only eat the appropriate amount of food daily. Also, since it can make you thirsty, drinking water regularly instead of food can fill the vacuum left by your hunger.
Seek professional help
After trying on your own and even with close friends and getting no desired results, it’s advisable to contact a professional for diagnosis and personalized therapy.
Once one is hungry and eats beyond the limit, mostly every other time, one has to seek professional help. The right resource to contact for compulsive overeating treatment and assistance is Awakenings Treatment Center for a total recovery of mind, body, and spirit: 855-717-3268.
