This page is written for everyone - for those who suffer from an overeating disorder and those who do not. If you think that YOU may have some form of overeating disorder, reading this page may help you to understand what is happening.
There are two main variations of eating disorder related to overeating.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Like bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder has only been recognised as a distinct condition in recent years - it was first acknowledged as an eating disorder in 1992. BED is similar in some ways to bulimia, but the main difference between BED and bulimia is that an individual suffering from BED will binge on food uncontrollably, but does not vomit or purge the food in any other way, as would someone suffering from bulimia.
Compulsive Overeating
Compulsive Overeating is a variation of BED, when an individual will eat - even at times when they are not hungry. This may happen all the time - i.e. most of the day, every day - or it may come and go in cycles. The main difference between compulsive overeating and BED is that the compulsive overeater does not eat in binges. At times, he or she may eat more or less continuously.
The onset of BED or CO usually (but not always) follows a period of dieting. In very general terms, a diet - that may be have been undertaken to boost low self-esteem - can lead to overeating, where it becomes difficult to stop eating when full and the individual experiences cravings for sugar. Although this is a natural reaction of the body to dieting, these cravings are seen as 'bad' to the dieter, whose self-esteem falls even lower and who tries even harder to control his or her eating.
Binge-eating causes a rapid increase in the level of glucose in the blood and this makes the pancreas produce extra insulin - the hormone which controls blood sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels then fall dramatically - no matter how much has been eaten - giving the body the false impression that more glucose is urgently required. Therefore, the craving for sugar - in the form of food - continues.
Unable to understand what is happening to his or her body, the dieter blames herself for a perceived lack of self-control. The sufferer of BED then becomes trapped in a cycle of bingeing - guilt - restraint - bingeing. Eventually, the BED becomes a symbolic way of trying to deal with any emotional problems that the sufferer may experience, such as coping with stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem or other emotional difficulties.
The Compulsive Overeater follows a similar path to that of the BED sufferer, where overeating disturbs the normal blood sugar level until a continous desire to eat is present. As in BED, Compulsive Overeating may become a symbolic way of trying to deal with emotional difficulties.
BED or Compulsive Overeating affects all ages and both sexes, although women sufferers are more aware of it and are more worried about the consequences of overeating disorders than are men.
Most people who are compulsive eaters are overweight or obese, and may use their weight or appearance as a shield they can hide behind to avoid social interaction. Some others hide behind a happy or jolly façade to avoid admitting that they may have an eating problem.
Stress, anxiety and other similar conditions can create a situation whereby a person might turn to bingeing on food as a coping mechanism.
Sufferers of BED and CO often have great shame at being unable to control the compulsion to eat. Depression is very common for people with these eating disorders. As are panic attacks, lack of concentration, hopelessness and anxiety.
Obsessive and compulsive behaviour around food and the eating of food can take over an individuals' life. Common traits include obsessive thoughts about food, self-weighing several times a day, eating at the same time every day, arranging food in a certain order, or always eating in the same place. Such behaviour can increase the isolation and sense of despair felt by an individual.