Compulsive Overeating

I call this ‘grazing’. It’s eating non-stop all day. Some of us get through the day using food.

This person could be any weight. They may be a yo-yo dieter. They may binge and restrict foods. They could be obese.

Binge Eating

Binge eating is characterized by the following:

• eating  food when not feeling physically hungry
• mindless eating - eating, in a short period of time, a large amount of food
• feeling that one cannot stop eating if they start
• while eating feels that one can not control what or how much one is eating
• eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• eating much more rapidly than normal
• eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much or what one is eating
• feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or very guilty after overeating
• constant thoughts about what to eat or not to eat, as well as weight.

Anorexia

There is a refusal to maintain normal body weight, resulting in a 15% below normal weight. The anorexic denies hunger and is preoccupied with weight and body image. They believe they are fat even if underweight. They believe they look better the more weight they lose. Their whole focus becomes dieting, weight and body image.

They avoid eating and activities around food. When they do eat, they avoid whole groups of food; perform rituals around food such as eating in a certain order, excessive chewing of food, moving food around the plate. The person suffering with anorexia has an intense fear of getting fat.

 The effects of Anorexia are many. The skin, hair and nails become brittle, dry and thin. Due to the absence of body fat they are usually cold and dress in layers even in the summer. They may lose their monthly period and develop fine body hair. They may exhibit compulsive hyperactivity followed by extreme fatigue.

Due to chemical disturbances and malnutrition, they may experience thought and mood distortions, making decision-making difficult, thinking illogically and marked confusion. Hospitalization may be necessary due to dehydration, malnutrition, depression, anxiety or heart and kidney problems.

After an episode of anorexia, approximately Two thirds completely recover and one third continue to have periodic problems with eating disorders later in life. They may transition into bulimia, compulsive overeating or take substances to control their weight or to cope. This eating disorder has a mortality rate of 20%, the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition.

 Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is recurrent episodes of binge eating, zoning out on food, eating in secret, then getting rid of the food.

They may self-induce vomiting, misuse laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications, periodical fasting and/or excessively exercise. There may be an intense feeling of fullness even after a small meal, with an urge to get rid of the food. People with bulimia nervosa may binge 3 to 20 times per day. Once in place, this pattern of binge eating and purging can continue over a lifetime.

Research has shown a link between bulimia and severe depression and anxiety. Clinical studies have found a dramatic decline in the frequency of binge-and-purge episodes in response to antidepressants, regardless of whether the bulimic is suffering from depression at the time or not.

Bulimia nervosa is a potentially serious condition that disrupts the body’s chemistries, causes harm to the digestive tract, erodes tooth enamel and creates the risk of potentially fatal heart irregularities due to impaired physical health or chemical imbalances.