Compulsive eating disorder is also known as food addiction and is marked by a compulsive relationship with food. Individuals affected by this disorder suffer from compulsive overeating episodes accompanied by binging or uncontrolled eating often in a state of frenzy and are unable to have control over food. They gobble down the food in large quantity, usually far beyond the pint of being full. These binging episodes are followed by feelings of guilt and depression. These individuals refrain from compensating for their overeating behavior with purging behaviors such as taking laxatives, fasting, vomiting or over exercising. Compulsive overeaters typically eat when they are not hungry, constantly think about food for large periods of time and secretly plan or fantasize about indulging in food alone.

Compulsive eating disorder results in overweight and obesity. Besides episodes of binging, compulsive overeaters also tend to munch on food throughout the day. They tend to get tensed or restless when without some form of food. This results in the consumption of calories in large amounts even if the quantities eaten at any given point of time may be small. If the individual overeats only during binging episodes, he/she is diagnosed with binge eating disorder. But if the eating patterns are consistent throughout the day it is diagnosed as compulsive eating disorder.

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder:

• Binging or eating uncontrollably even when not hungry.
• Gobbling the food down rather than eating it slowly.
• Eating all alone in order to escape shame and embarrassment.
• Feeling guilt and depressed due to overeating.
• Being preoccupied with body weight.
• Being depressed and having mood swings.
• Withdrawal form activities due to being overweight.
• Acknowledging that the eating pattern is abnormal.
• Going in for several unsuccessful diets.

If not treated, Compulsive eating disorder can result in serious medical conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, major depression, kidney disease, arthritis, bone deterioration and even stroke.

This disorder is treatable and requires counseling and therapy. Almost 80 percent of individuals affected by this disorder seeking professional help recover completely and see a major reduction in their symptoms. A number of eating disorders arise out of unresolved emotional conflicts ad need to be treated in order to help the individuals develop a healthy relationship with food.