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what it is
Compulsive overeating involves constant eating (and sometimes bingeing) without the purging typical to bulimia. Compulsive overeaters have what is characterized as an "addiction" to food--they eat for emotional rather than nutritional reasons, often consuming large quantities of junk food to fill a void and avoid feelings. Food becomes a comfort when a person is stressed, hurt, angry or upset.
Compulsive overeating usually occurs when eating patterns are formed in early childhood. Most people who become compulsive overeaters have never learned the proper way to deal with stressful situations and use food as a way of to cope. Body fat can provide a protective function, especially to those who have been victims of sexual abuse. They sometimes feel that by being overweight--and thus supposedly less attractive--they'll keep others at a distance. Although compulsive overeaters are often overweight, not all people who are obese are compulsive overeaters.
Like anorexics and bulimics, some compulsive overeaters abuse laxatives and/or diuretics to try to control their weight. However, unlike anorexics and bulimics, most compulsive overeaters are male.
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common physical effects and health risks:
- severe weight gain
- moderately to excessively overweight
- constipation
- swollen joints
- muscle atrophy
- bad skin
- unhealthy hair
- puffy look from poor circulation
- high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
- breathlessness
- stomach cramps
- gas
- bone deterioration
- diseases that accompany obesity, such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney damage or failure
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how to identify compulsive overeating
People with this eating disorder often eat nonstop throughout the day and panic if they think they will be in a situation where they won't be able to eat. They also have a tendency to be warm or hot, regardless of the weather--either because their constant eating has led them to being overweight, or simply because of their increased digestive activities.
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common behavioral patterns:
- lethargy
- increased feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
- lack of self-pride
- negative attitude
- tendency to blame others
- feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty after overeating
- procrastination
- negative attitude
- awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
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treatments
Dieting and bingeing can go on forever if the emotional reasons for the bingeing are not dealt with. Unfortunately, compulsive overeating is usually not taken seriously enough--sufferers are often directed to diet centers and health spas. But, like anorexia and bulimia, compulsive overeating is a serious problem and can result in death. With the proper treatment, which should include therapy and nutritional counseling, it can be overcome.
Hospitalization is rare. More often, the compulsive overeater is given a diet plan to follow, a support group to join and therapy to readjust food-self values. Sometimes medication is prescribed as well.
Nowadays, there is greater recognition that obesity and compulsive overeating are not a failure of will or behavior; nor is obesity a disorder of body weight regulation. Obesity is a chronic medical condition, like diabetes. For the obese person, body weight is just as carefully regulated as it is for non-obese persons, but a chemical imbalance in levels of serotonin may mean they are unable to control their intake (much in the same way an alcoholic relates to a drink). Therefore, medications known as serotonin-reuptake inhibitors--which may suppress cravings and promote weight loss--are recommended for some in order to rectify the chemical imbalance and to help control compulsive overeating.
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