Overeating

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Eating Disorders

When people think of eating disorders, they tend to think of those that are well known. While many people have heard about anorexia and bulimia, and may have known someone who has suffered from it, they are surprised to hear that there are other types of eating disorders. One of the major eating disorders that people do not think about is overeating. What even more people do not realize, however, is that it is much easier to have an overeating disorder, and not even realize that you have it.

What is Overeating?

What are the Effects of Overeating?

Overeating can have multiple effects on the body. Those who over eat will often have body image issues. As much as they eat, they worry about their image and understand that their eating is directly affecting their body; others block this issue out of their minds, but many realize what it does to their body. The other effects of overeating are completely emotional; overeating is a complete emotional attachment to the food. Overeating is often directly connected to some sort of emotion, which requires a deeper treatment to treat and understand.

Compulsive Overeating

When people think of compulsive overeating, they may become confused. People believe that overeating is simple, and that everyone has it. While everyone may overeat from time to time, actual overeating is known as compulsive overeating. Those who have compulsive overeating will overeat on a regular basis, and for the same reasons every time. This regular basis could be weekly, or daily.

What is Compulsive Overeating?

Compulsive overeating is when people eat too much; they eat more than they need, and do so for psychological reasons. While binge eating is for those who suddenly binge on food, overeating is a gradual intake of food that is higher than usual, and does not come in binges. Those who have overeating issues will find that they eat for multiple reasons. Some people eat when they are bored. Others eat when they are depressed and sad, while others simply eat because they are so used to continuously eating. Most of the time, people who have compulsive overeating disorder find that they use food as a crutch and comfort. This unhealthy relationship can turn into some dangerous things.

What are the Effects of Overeating?

Overeating has multiple effects. Those who overeat will gain weight. This weight gain comes from the fact that they are continuously eating more than they need to. This weight gain can lead to multiple negative effects. Some people will find that they do not have a strong immune system because of their overeating. Others will find that they have heart problems and other cardiovascular symptoms due to their overeating. Other effects of overeating can be psychological; people will find that they have body image issues, as well as issues with embarrassment and depression due to their overeating disorder.

Binge Eating

People tend to lump together overeating and binge eating; many people do not realize that these two forms of eating disorders are actually drastically different. If you are trying to get over one of these eating disorders, it is important to understand exactly what you have, so that you can understand how to best attack the issue.

What is Binge Eating?

Binge eating is an eating disorder that connects the person emotionally with the food that they are eating. While embarrassed about food, they will still eat large amounts of food at once time. At it’s base, binge eating is when someone seems to lose control of how much food that they can eat at one time and eat much more than is necessary.

What are the Effects of Binge Eating?

There are multiple effects of binge eating that can happen both during the time of binging, and after the binging as been treated. People who go through binge eating are actually at risk for diabetes and other forms of heart issues. This comes from the strain that the body is put through with the binge eating and the weight gain that comes from binge eating. While obesity and weight gain is a general effect of binge eating, you do not have to be overweight to be a binge eater. People who have the binge eating disorder will find that they do not have the proper nutrition, and may have issues with depression, as their connection with food will play with their emotions and psyche.

Symptoms: Overeating vs. Binge Eating

The symptoms of overeating are wide ranging, and often deal more with the mind that the body. In terms of body, however, there are a few major symptoms. Weight gain, and in a short period of time, is one of the most obvious symptoms of overeating. This weight gain can lead to joint and muscle fatigue and pain. This is how you can spot overeating through the physical form.

In terms of the mind, overeating is wide ranging. There are people who find that they are eating because they are bored. There are others who will overeat because they are “Eating away the pain” from the fact that they are unhappy with how they look. Others will eat when they are angry, while others will eat when they are sad and disappointed. Any one of these symptoms can be a sign and symptom of overeating, but usually, a combination of these symptoms will be prevalent.

The symptoms of binge eating are different than overeating, and can actually be hidden fairly well. There are a few obvious symptoms to someone who has a binge eating disorder; they eat too much food. They lose control of how much food that they eat, and will feel bloated and uncomfortable when they are done. They will also have issues with themselves (body images issues, depression, guilt) after they have a binge. Those who have binge eating disorder will eat a lot of food even when they are full, simply because they do not have control. Occasionally, those with a binge eating disorder will eat faster than usual as well.