A compulsive eater is one who just cannot seem to stop eating no matter how much he or she tries. This individual may not be overly obese, so sometimes people who are compulsive eaters may not even realize it is them.
Signs of Compulsive Eating
There are different ways that you can tell if you are a compulsive eater. Please view this list of signs in order to determine whether this is a problem for you:
- If you think about food all the time chances are you have a problem. You think about it when you wake up, while you are working, or when you are anxious.
- You eat a lot when you are stressed out, even when you are full. You also ignore the signals produced by your body that tell you when you are full.
- Sometimes you eat until you feel sick. You might even be one of those people who uses laxatives or tablets to relieve heartburn more often than you would like to admit.
- Sometimes while you are eating you “space out.” Maybe you are thinking about a problem in your life or maybe you are dreaming of a better life for yourself.
- You are plagued with feelings of guilt. This may occur while you eat as well as afterwards, and even beforehand.
- Sometimes you eat at times when no one is around so they do not see you doing it. For instance, maybe you eat while you are home alone and then no one knows how much you have eaten when you get to the restaurant.
- You have a tendency to eat more than a normal amount of chips or cookies in one sitting. Perhaps you have eaten a whole 12-ounce bag of chips you have mowed down an entire pound bag of chewy candy.
- The thought of being hungry makes you feel uncomfortable. Maybe it is related to a very bad childhood and you are afraid of poverty, which often results in starving.
- Sometimes maybe you binge, and then you purge. This is the sign of in fact a very serious compulsive eating disorder called bulimia.
How to Combat this Problem
Some people might join Overeaters Anonymous groups. Other people might find solace in counseling or in individual accountability and sponsor sessions. You could also join a weight loss class or group.
You can also fight this problem by planning your meals. Maybe you can provide yourself with six small meals to stretch out throughout the day and not eat any more than that.
Tags: Binge eating, Compulsive eating, Eating problems, Overeating, Signs, Support, Treatment