What is Compulsive Eating Disorder?
Somebody who has a compulsive eating disorder feels unable to control how much or how often they eat. They can't control when they eat, how quickly they eat, eat only when they're alone, and will eat throughout the day. This page has some information on this form of eating disorder.
If you're struggling to control how much or how often you eat you should look for expert assessment to see if you have a compulsive eating disorder. Therapy can be effective in helping you reclaim your life from this illness. Treatment for compulsive eating disorder can help you to learn a new way of coping with emotions and develop healthier eating habits. Leaving this illness untreated can lead to physical health problems and other eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa developing.
Compulsive Eating Disorder : Symptoms
The symptoms of a compulsive eating disorder are a sense that you cannot stop eating. People with this illness eat very quickly, eat non-stop, and try to avoid letting other people see them eating. They often eat foods that have a high sugar content for the "sugar rush" that they provide. If the compulsive eater doesn't get the food they are craving they will often experience physical symptoms.
Compulsive Eating Disorder : Causes and Treatment
Compulsive Eating Disorders develop as a result of a complex interplay of factors that include family history, physiology, childhood development, coping style, and personality factors. For some people a compulsive eating pattern is a "coping" strategy to try and reduce feelings of anxiety or stress.
Therapy for a compulsive eating disorder is usually provided by somebody who has specialized in treating this form of illness. Treatment focuses on providing the patient with a safe and comfortable setting where they feel able to explore the issues that underlie their eating disorder. Confidentiality is essential as patients will need to explore deep emotional and psychological causes of their compulsive eating behaviour. Therapy will lead towards teaching the patient healthier ways to cope with life and to develop healthier eating patterns.
