For years, individuals who struggled with binge eating disorder were simply told to stop eating so much or bullied and taunted in other ways. Fortunately, in the past few years, there has been a distinct shift in the way clinicians look at compulsive overeating disorder treatment. This has also started a slow, but promising, change in the way society at large perceives this common condition.

What Is Compulsive Overeating Disorder?

Compulsive overeating disorder is sometimes also referred to as binge eating disorder. This condition is marked by a sense of lost control when it comes to eating. Individuals who have compulsive overeating disorder feel compelled to eat amounts of food that would be considered to be significantly more than others would eat in the same circumstances.

What Makes it Different Than Overeating?

While nearly everyone goes through phases where they might compulsively overeat; for example, during the holidays, people who have compulsive overeating disorder typically display this type of behavior on a regular basis. Over a period of at least six months, people who can benefit from compulsive overeating disorder treatment experience an average of at least two episodes of overeating per week.

Delving Into Compulsive Overeating Disorder Treatment

Anyone can be affected by compulsive overeating disorder,  even those who have what is considered to be a normal body weight. However, for most people, the condition leads to weight gain or at times, obesity. This development can often serve to reinforce more compulsive overeating in an indirect way.

Like other types of eating disorders, compulsive overeating disorder may be accompanied by negative feelings. For example, guilt and shame are often associated with this eating disorder and these must be factored into any rehabilitation for eating disorders that the individual undergoes.

In addition, many people who have an eating disorder, such as compulsive overeating disorder, may often have a co-occurring condition. Anxiety and depression, for example, could lead the individual to turn to food as a mechanism to cope. Because eating is such a pleasurable activity, treatment and rehabilitation for eating disorders must encompass the complex and linked emotions that are involved.

What Causes Compulsive Overeating Disorder?

While there are often no clear answers regarding what causes compulsive overeating disorder, research has found that the presence of some factors increase the odds that an individual will develop the condition.

As mentioned previously, compulsive overeating and conditions such as depression, low self-esteem and anxiety are often related. The presence of these psychological conditions can contribute to binge eating. Another example, trauma, can also result in the individual developing compulsive overeating disorder.

The enormous social pressure that exists in regard to being thin could lead to some people turning to eating as a way to manage their emotions. In other cases, there is a biological component to binge eating disorder. This is why it is vital that any compulsive overeating disorder treatment begins with a thorough assessment.

Eating Disorder Residential Treatment

Eating disorder residential treatment ensures the individual has access to a complete panel of medical experts who are devoted to his or her needs. These experts may include therapists and nutritionists to psychiatrists and other health professionals. While providing state-of-the-art treatment, Monte Nido also works by a “people first, patients second” philosophy that helps individuals become fully recovered and rediscover their healthy self. Contact them today to learn more about their evidence-based compulsive overeating disorder treatment.