Compulsive overeating: what is this, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Binge eating disorder; Eating disorder – binge eating; Eating – binge; Overeating – compulsive; Compulsive overeating

Compulsive overeating is an eating disorder, in which a person regularly eats an unusually large amount of food. During overeating, a person also feels a loss of control and cannot stop eating..

Causes of Compulsive Overeating

The exact cause of overeating is unknown.. Things, that can lead to this disorder, include:

• Genes, such as having close relatives, who also have an eating disorder
• Balance changes in brain chemicals
• Depression or other emotions, such as feeling upset or stressed
• Unhealthy food, eg, not eating enough nutritious food or skipping meals.

Overeating is the most common eating disorder in many countries.. The disorder is more common in women, than men. Women get sick at a young age, and men in middle age.

Binge Eating Symptoms

Man with compulsive overeating:

• Eats large amounts of food in a short amount of time, eg, every 2 o'clock.
• Can't control overeating, eg, cannot stop eating or control the amount of food
• Eating very fast every time
• Continues to eat, even when full (overeats) or until uncomfortable satiety
• Yes, even if you're not hungry
• Eating alone (secretly)
• Guilt, disgust, shame or depression after a large meal

About two thirds of people, those suffering from compulsive overeating, obese.

Overeating can occur on its own or be accompanied by another eating disorder, eg, bulimia. People with bulimia may eat large amounts of high-calorie foods, often covertly. After such gluttony, they often force themselves to vomit, take laxatives or exercise vigorously.

Diagnosis of compulsive overeating

A health worker will conduct a physical exam and ask about eating habits and symptoms.

Blood tests may be done.

Treatment for compulsive overeating

The general goals of treatment are, to help you:

• Decrease, and then be able to stop uncontrolled eating.
• Reduce weight.
• Heal any emotional problems, including coping with feelings and managing situations, that cause overeating.

Eating Disorders, such as overeating, often treated with psychological and nutritional counseling.

Psychological counseling is also called talking therapy.. It involves talking to a psychiatrist or therapist, who understands people's problems, who overeat. The therapist helps you recognize feelings and thoughts, that make you overeat. The therapist then teaches you, how to turn them into useful thoughts and healthy actions.

Nutrition advice is also important for recovery.. It will help you develop structured meal plans., healthy eating and weight management goals.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antidepressants, if you are experiencing anxiety or depression. Weight loss medications may also be prescribed..

Support groups for treating compulsive eating

Stress from illness can be relieved, joining a support group . If you share with other people, who have common experiences and problems, you won't feel lonely.

Forecast of compulsive overeating

Overeating is a treatable disorder. Long-term talking therapy, according to doctors, helps the best.

Possible complications of compulsive overeating

When overeating, a person often eats unhealthy foods that are high in sugar and fat and low in nutrients and protein.. It can lead to health problems, such as high cholesterol, diabetes 2 type or disease of the gallbladder.

Other possible health problems may include:

• heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Joint pain
• menstrual problems

When to See a Healthcare Professional for Compulsive Binge Eating

Contact a doctor, if you think, that you or someone, who are you looking after, may have a habit of overeating or bulimia.

Used sources and literature

American Psychiatric Association website. Feeding and eating disorder. In: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013;329-345.

Kreipe RE, Starr TB. Eating disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Bloom NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 41.

Lock J, At Via MC; American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACP) Committee on Quality Issues (CQI). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with eating disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;54(5):412-425. PMID: 25901778 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25901778/.

Svaldi J, Schmitz F, Baur J, et al. Efficacy of psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for Bulimia nervosa. Psychol Med. 2019;49(6):898-910. PMID: 30514412 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30514412/.

Tanofsky-Kraff, M. Eating disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 206.

Thomas JJ, Mickley D.W., Deren JL, Klibanski A, Murray HB, Eddy KT. Eating disorders: evaluation and management. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 37.