What Are the Symptoms of Compulsive Eating?

January 6, 2023

Are you a compulsive eater? Do you know someone who might be displaying the symptoms of one?

Food is one of the most important things that keep us healthy, but it doesn’t mean that all food relationships are positive. Compulsive eating is a problem that affects many individuals, but its symptoms are extremely diverse. For something that can strain family relationships and marriages and jeopardize the health and lifespan of people, it’s crucial to understand compulsive eating and what we need to look out for. Let’s take a deep dive into the signs, symptoms, and impact of compulsive eating.

What Is Compulsive Eating?

Compulsive eating is characterized by consuming significant amounts of food in response to stressors. Individuals dealing with difficult life situations or things that bring about strong emotional reactions often rely on food as a distraction and create an element of control in their lives. While some people eat large amounts of food in one setting, others will partake in “grazing” or repeatedly eating small amounts throughout the day. Most compulsive eaters won’t purge afterward, but the health effects are still very impactful.

How to Identify Someone Who Compulsively Eats

We all have bouts of overeating, but your desire to take that extra slice of cake at the party pales in comparison to the symptoms of eating compulsively. You can identify someone who compulsively overeats by paying close attention to the things they eat, what they say, and other behavioral changes they exhibit. Things like rapid body changes are fairly obvious, but some other less obvious signs still play a major role in helping you determine whether you need to seek treatment.

Obvious changes in body shape (usually weight gain, but fluctuations also apply)
Gastrointestinal problems
Stealing food
Hoarding food
Creation of eating schedules
Fear of eating in public or familiar social settings
Exhibiting a lack of control when eating
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes

The Relationship Between Binge Eating & Compulsive Eating

Binge-eating and compulsive eating are often associated with each other, but they are very different conditions. Binge-eating disorder is a kind of disordered eating in which individuals consume large amounts of food in very short periods. Many symptoms of binge-eating overlap with compulsive eating, but it’s good to remember a key phrase: not everyone who compulsively overeats suffers from binge-eating disorder, but overeating is a symptom for everyone with binge-eating disorder. Binge eating may be a mental health condition, but compulsive eating can start from developed behaviors at home.

Either way, both conditions can be hard to distinguish, especially if you’re trying to diagnose yourself. Get professional, compassionate binge-eating disorder treatment from Magnolia Creek today.

How to Treat Compulsive Eating

The first step to treating compulsive eating is to seek appropriate help. Fighting your emotions can be extremely difficult, especially if you have deeper-rooted issues contributing to poor eating behaviors. Professional help is likely the way to go for long-term help.

Additionally, you should avoid labeling certain foods as “good” or “bad” and instead take a holistic approach to your recovery. Focus on healing yourself as a whole and not blaming yourself as the cause of compulsive eating. Avoiding labeling foods can also help, as it limits the likelihood of you feeling guilt or shame from eating the foods you deem “bad.” This makes it less likely that you’ll overeat or eat as a form of guilt for making a “bad decision.”

Lastly, pause throughout the day before you eat. Many people focus on what they want to eat instead of whether they need it. Ask yourself whether you’re actually hungry or just craving a particular meal. Putting it aside can disrupt the cycle of compulsive eating and help you pay attention to your enjoyment of food, knowing that you took time before consuming it.

Get the Care You Need to Combat Compulsive Eating

Compulsive eating can be a significant problem impacting your well-being, meaningful relationships, and commitments. The first step to renewing your relationship with food is getting the right help. At Magnolia Creek, we offer various eating disorder treatment programs for individuals struggling with their food consumption habits. From common eating disorders like anorexia to unspecified eating problems, we have the resources and knowledge available to get you on the road to recovery. Contact us today for more information on how we can help — you’re not alone.