Compulsive Overeating

Often called ‘grazing’, this is eating non-stop all day. Some of us get through the day using food.

persona sufferer 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
• Feeling out of control as to 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
• Experiencing constant thoughts about what to eat or not to eat, as well as weight.

Anorexia

This is is a refusal to maintain normal body weight, resulting in the sufferer becoming 15% or more 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, etc. 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. Women may cease to menstruate  and develop fine body hair. Sufferers may also exhibit compulsive hyperactivity followed by extreme fatigue.

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

After an episode of anorexia, approximately two out of three sufferers completely recover, but up to one in three 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.

Sufferers may self-induce vomiting, misuse laxatives, diuretics, enemas or other medications, or they may undergo 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 anywhere between 3 and 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.