Symptoms Of Compulsive Eating Disorder - How Early Detection Can Help Your Loved OneCompulsive eating disorder, also called compulsive overeating, is a condition wherein a person continuously eats despite being full. People who suffer from this condition engage in binge eating without thought of what food is being consumed and without control over the amount. Unlike bulimics, compulsive eaters do not induce vomiting or exercise excessively to purge the food consumed. Symptoms and psychological impact Aside from eating uncontrollably, symptoms of compulsive overeating include hiding food for later eating and consuming large quantities of food. People who suffer from compulsive overeating often eat normally around other people but resort to bingeing when on their own. Psychologically, sufferers feel disgust, shame and guilt after consuming all those food. They are also likely to become depressed due to the shame they feel for how they behave. Causes of the condition According to experts, this eating disorder has a biological foundation. Some studies have claimed that the hypothalamus of some of the people who suffer from overeating is failing to send the message to the patient's brain that he or she is already full. Lower level of serotonin has also been blamed for the occurrence of compulsive overeating. There are also studies that have speculated that a genetic mutation might be behind overeating. Aside from genetic and biological factors, social elements also contribute to this eating disorder. If a person has been brought up in an environment where meals are not planned and people are allowed to just eat whatever and whenever they feel like it, this could contribute (although not directly cause) to the development of the condition later in life. Individuals who have problems dealing with emotions or are socially unskilled can also develop this condition. Most people who suffer from overeating disorders often turn to food when they are lonely, afraid, depressed and are humiliated by others around them. It has been said that people who overeat actually feed their emotions rather than their stomachs. Diseases that can result from overeating Excessive eating or compulsive consumption of food can lead to a host of diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders and other unhealthful conditions. Obesity can also result from overeating, which in itself, can lead to other adverse conditions. Before compulsive eating disorder can lead to any of these diseases, it should be addressed and help should be provided. A family member of the person who suffers from these symptoms should be ready to take action and must be open minded and understanding of the sufferer's situation. |