Emotional Eating

An eating disorder can be defined as a complex compulsion to eat in such a way that the physical, psychological and mental health of an individual is disturbed. When an individual suffers from an eating disorder the eating may be excessive or restricted or there may be episodes of purging. This can become a heartbreaking cycle of both binging and purging with normal periods of eating in-between.  

Compulsive eating disorder is a type of disorder in which an individual will overeat because of emotions instead of hunger. Compulsive overeating or as it is also known as binge eating is a common eating disorder that affects thousands of people. There are severe consequences to an individual’s long-term and immediate health if the eating disorder continues. Some people have even died from an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a sickness that one must overcome. 

Eating disorders are often times characterized by an obsession, abnormal, with both weight and food. Women seem to be more affected by eating disorders then men. Many experts believe that this is because there is so much pressure on women, typically from the media, to be stick figure thin. A woman feels as if she has to be “picture perfect.” An eating disorder results from the stress that a woman feels when she does not reach unattainable goals.  

A patient who suffers from an eating disorder, such as compulsive overeating, may have a professional diagnosis of a mood disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder or severe mental depression. Some patients who have an eating disorder have been diagnoses as bipolar or have a personality disorder. An eating disorder is deeply rooted into a person psychologically. In some cases a patient suffering from an eating disorder may take years to recover.  

The same risk factors that put an individual at risk for a substance abuse problem are usually found in an individual who has an eating disorder. In other words an eating disorder is an addiction. With an eating disorder and other addictions there is a need to take a negative action instead of talking about feelings that may be upsetting. Eating is used to avoid uncomfortable and unwanted feelings much like a drug or alcohol. People who suffer from an eating disorder usually deny or attempt to keep their problem a secret much like an addict.  

An eating disorder is an addiction and like every addiction an eating disorder can be broken. It tales support, love and determination. With a helping hand and your own perseverance you can end your addictive behavior and overcome an eating disorder.