What is “Compulsive overeating” and how can you treat it?

By Maryna Fateyeva 

     Last year DSM-V (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) included several changes, among the most substantial ones are recognition of Binge eating disorder, revisions to the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa etc. Before many cases received a diagnosis of “eating disorder not otherwise specified”.  

     Some specialists do not differentiate Binge eating disorder (or Binge) and Obsessive Compulsive Overeating, but in my mind they are not similar. Binge eating disorder can be described as a state in which individual consumes extremely large amounts of food, often it is high-calorie food (without having to include many of the weight restricting behaviours that bulimics or anorexics engage in, i.e. vomiting, over exercise etc.).  http://www.dsm5.org/documents/eating%20disorders%20fact%20sheet.pdf  

Compulsive Overeating seems like an unending cycle of eating, dieting and overeating again. The individual feels ashamed of his/her eating habits and so may eat a lot in secret. Compulsive Overeating is not included into DSM-V as a separate disorder, but actually a lot of overweight people, (not all of them) suffer of it. It’s a kind of addiction I think.

Here are some criteria, read them and answer whether it is True or False for you to know  

Whether you have an eating disorder

• I eat a lot of food even when I’m not hungry
• My weight yo-yos
• I tried a lot of diets with no result
• I eat food in secret
• I eat alone because of awkwardness and shame
• I try to eat less in public
• I have a disposition to depressions, drops of moods
• I feel guilty and angry when I overeat
• I take something tasty when I have every pause in work
• I eat when I feel sad/anxious/disturbed
• My self-esteem is rather low and I eat a lot because of it
• Because of my weight I can abandon some social activities

If your answer is “True” to at least 5 criteria you’re having eating disorder and better visit a specialist.