Compulsive Eating Disorder  

Compulsive Eating Disorder, also called ‘Overeating Disorder’ or ‘Compulsive Overeating’ (or various alternatives on those terms, as these are not medically recognised diagnoses), can be seen as a variation on Binge Eating Disorder.

Similar issues may be involved as in other eating disorders, such as low self esteem, a feeling of loss of control, and the sufferer eating in response to underlying emotional difficulties rather than hunger.

The main difference between Compulsive Eating Disorder and binge eating disorders is that whereas in binge eating the overeating occurs in definable episodes (the pattern of which varies from individual to individual), with Compulsive Eating Disorder there is more of a ‘grazing’ pattern of eating.

The overeating occurs on a more constant basis spread throughout the day, with the sufferer continually picking on food on a regular basis.

This can mean that although the person may only be eating small quantities of food at a time, the overall calorie intake over 24hrs can be extremely high. Weight gain with compulsive eating is therefore almost inevitable, with all the resulting health risks that obesity brings with it.

The sufferers feelings of low self-worth are therefore further compounded by the feelings of guilt and shame brought upon them by our societies disapproval of being overweight. Food then continues to be used as a comforting mechanism and so the problem persists and deepens.

The point needs to be made however, that Compulsive Eating is not simply overeating out of laziness, bad habits or greediness. Someone with the condition will feel out of control of their eating and find the problem extremely distressing.

Once again it can be seen that the various eating disorders share many similar factors that contribute to their development and to their continuation, even though how those factors play out in the individuals experience and behaviour will differ considerably.

Treatment aimed to help someone suffering with Compulsive Eating (or Overeating Disorder) will follow very similar lines as to tackling binge eating - a multi-pronged approach that addresses underlying emotional problems;

• Iimproves nutritional stability;
• Helps the client to change behavioural patterns,
• Improves their coping abilities.