Compulsive overeating – a way to improve the mood or have a disease?

Stress, problems at work, difficult life situation are almost indispensable elements of the modern world. The constant rush additionally increases the tension and makes it difficult or even impossible to relax or rest. For many people the food is the way to deal with this type of emotions. It improves mood because it stimulates production of endorphins (called hormones of happiness), in the body. It is natural and one of the easiest ways to improve mood. But sometimes improving mood by food gets out of control and becomes an obsession.

Compulsive overeating, the phenomenon discussed in this article, is one of the eating disorders. It is based on uncontrolled consumption of large amounts of food with the aim of suppressing emotions, internal experiences, struggle against stress and problems of everyday life. In case of compulsive overeating, as opposed to bulimia, there are no compensatory measures. This means that after the attack a person suffering from this disorder does not try to get rid of consumed food in any way. The compulsive overeating is also often called the addiction to the food because during the attack the patient is unable to stop eating [1]. This disorder, especially in the early stage, is very often underestimated, ignored or attributed to normal greediness. However, this is a problem which is afflicting an increasing number of people. According to the results of U.S. studies, 10% of people undergoing weight loss therapy suffers from this disorder[2].

In case of compulsive overeating, as with other eating disorders the precise reasons are still unknown. The researchers speculate that this condition is the result of inability to cope with stress and existential problems [1]. According to the results of the study, the compulsive overeating develops in families. It may also be the result of passing down the wrong patterns in the household. Parents who cope with the accumulated emotions in such a way tend to ‘teach’ their children do the same [3].

Signs of compulsive overeating are, as mentioned earlier, very similar to the symptoms of bulimia. The distinctive feature between the two disorders is the lack of compensatory measures following the episode (patients do not provoke vomiting, nor use of laxatives, diuretics, fasting or do not perform excessive physical activity). The course of binge eating episodes in both disorders is also very similar. In a relatively short period of time – about 2 hours – the patient is able to ingest a dozen or so to even several thousand calories which is the amount equivalent to up to several days of food intake of healthy adult human. The patient is overeating alone, in secret, ashamed of his behavior and inability to stop the attack. After the episode the patient also feels remorse and anger at him-/her-self. He/She promises him-/her-self that this was the last time.

Overeating and lack of compensatory measures as a consequence leads to overweight and obesity. Several diseases and comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, fatty liver, diseases of the osteoarticular system, depression) are associated with overweight and obesity. Treatment of compulsive overeating is based primarily on psychotherapy and on the treatment of associated diseases. In the course of psychotherapy patients learn to recognize and name the emotions that trigger overeating episode and learn different methods of dealing with emotions. Compulsive overeating is insidious disorder that underestimated for too long can lead to serious health disorders.

Written by: Sandra Kryska, Anna Rej, Mateusz Grajek

Sources:
1. Jablow M. M.: Anoreksja, bulimia, otyłość. Przewodnik dla rodziców, Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne, Gdańsk 2001.
2. Fairburn Ch. G., Harrison P. J.: Eating disorders. Seminar. The Lancet 2003; 361: 407-416.
3. Apfeldorfer G.: Anoreksja, bulimia, otyłość, Książnica, Katowice 1999.

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