SIGNS OF COMPULSIVE OVEREATING

Signs of compulsive overeating:


Binge eating, or eating uncontrollably even when not physically hungry


Eating much more rapidly than normal


Eating alone due to shame and embarrassment


Feelings of guilt due to overeating


Preoccupation with body weight


Depression or mood swings


Awareness that eating patterns are abnormal


Rapid weight gain or sudden onset of obesity


Significantly decreased mobility due to weight gain


History of weight fluctuations


Withdrawal from activities because of embarrassment about weight


History of many different unsuccessful diets


Eating little in public, but maintaining a high body weight


Very low self esteem and feeling need to eat greater and greater amounts.


Addiction



During binges compulsive overeaters might consume anything from 5000 to 15000 kilo calories in a day, which results as an addictive "high" not unlike those experienced through drug usage, and a release from psychological stress. In bulimics, this high may be intensified by the act of purging. Researchers have speculated there is an abnormality of endorphin metabolism in the brain of binge eaters that triggers the addictive process. This is in line with other theories of addiction that attribute it not to avoidance of withdrawal symptoms, but to a primary problem in the reward centers of the brain. For the Compulsive Overeater, the ingestion of trigger foods causes release of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. This could be another sign of neurobiological factors contributing to the addictive process. Abstinence from addictive food and food eating processes causes withdrawal symptoms in those with eating disorders. There may be higher levels of depression and anxiety due to the decreased levels of serotonin in the individual.






There are complexities with the biology of compulsive eating that separate it from a pure substance abuse analogy. Food is a complex mixture of chemicals that can affect the body in multiple ways, which is magnified by stomach-brain communication. In some ways, it may be much more difficult for compulsive overeaters to recover than drug addicts. There is an anecdotal saying among Overeaters Anonymous members that "when you are addicted to drugs you put the tiger in the cage to recover; when you are addicted to food you put the tiger in the cage, but take it out three times a day for a walk."






The physical explanation of compulsive overeating may be attributed to an overeaters' increased tendency to secrete insulin at the sight and smell of food, though medical evidence supporting this is controversial. Some researchers also attribute it to excessive neurological sensitivity in taste and/or smell.






Recovery from compulsive overeating


Compulsive overeating is treatable with counseling and therapy. Approximately 80%[citation needed] of sufferers who seek professional help recover completely or experience significant reduction in their symptoms. According to Dr. Gregg Jantz of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources in Edmonds, WA; less than 2% of morbidly obese clients ever recover. Many eating disorders are thought to be behavioral patterns stemming from emotional conflicts that need to be resolved in order for the sufferer to develop a healthy relationship with food. Like other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, compulsive overeating is a serious problem and can result in death. However, with treatment, which should include talk therapy, medical and nutritional counseling, it can be overcome.

Several Twelve Step programs designed to help members recover from compulsive overeating and food addiction exist today.

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