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Name: lucie
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This page is written for everyone - for those who suffer from an overeating disorder and those who do not. If you think that YOU may have some form of overeating disorder, reading this page may help you to understand what is happening.

There are two main variations of eating disorder related to overeating.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Like bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder has only been recognised as a distinct condition in recent years - it was first acknowledged as an eating disorder in 1992. BED is similar in some ways to bulimia, but the main difference between BED and bulimia is that an individual suffering from BED will binge on food uncontrollably, but does not vomit or purge the food in any other way, as would someone suffering from bulimia.


Compulsive Overeating

Compulsive Overeating is a variation of BED, when an individual will eat - even at times when they are not hungry. This may happen all the time - i.e. most of the day, every day - or it may come and go in cycles. The main difference between compulsive overeating and BED is that the compulsive overeater does not eat in binges. At times, he or she may eat more or less continuously.



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What
happens?
It is important to understand that compulsive and binge eating are very different from 'normal' overeating, which may be fostered by lifestyle, family or genetic factors.
The onset of BED or CO usually (but not always) follows a period of dieting. In very general terms, a diet - that may be have been undertaken to boost low self-esteem - can lead to overeating, where it becomes difficult to stop eating when full and the individual experiences cravings for sugar. Although this is a natural reaction of the body to dieting, these cravings are seen as 'bad' to the dieter, whose self-esteem falls even lower and who tries even harder to control his or her eating.

Binge-eating causes a rapid increase in the level of glucose in the blood and this makes the pancreas produce extra insulin - the hormone which controls blood sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels then fall dramatically - no matter how much has been eaten - giving the body the false impression that more glucose is urgently required. Therefore, the craving for sugar - in the form of food - continues.

Unable to understand what is happening to his or her body, the dieter blames herself for a perceived lack of self-control. The sufferer of BED then becomes trapped in a cycle of bingeing - guilt - restraint - bingeing. Eventually, the BED becomes a symbolic way of trying to deal with any emotional problems that the sufferer may experience, such as coping with stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem or other emotional difficulties.

The Compulsive Overeater follows a similar path to that of the BED sufferer, where overeating disturbs the normal blood sugar level until a continous desire to eat is present. As in BED, Compulsive Overeating may become a symbolic way of trying to deal with emotional difficulties.


Who suffers?
It is believed that many more people suffer from binge eating disorder than either anorexia or bulimia nervosa.
BED or Compulsive Overeating affects all ages and both sexes, although women sufferers are more aware of it and are more worried about the consequences of overeating disorders than are men.

Most people who are compulsive eaters are overweight or obese, and may use their weight or appearance as a shield they can hide behind to avoid social interaction. Some others hide behind a happy or jolly façade to avoid admitting that they may have an eating problem.

Stress, anxiety and other similar conditions can create a situation whereby a person might turn to bingeing on food as a coping mechanism.


Consequences
Because of the amount of food eaten, many people with BED or CO become obese. This inevitably leads to health problems such as heart disease, stomach problems, diabetes, back pain, respiratory difficulties and circulation problems. Extreme obesity leads to restricted mobility and general lack of fitness.
Sufferers of BED and CO often have great shame at being unable to control the compulsion to eat. Depression is very common for people with these eating disorders. As are panic attacks, lack of concentration, hopelessness and anxiety.

Obsessive and compulsive behaviour around food and the eating of food can take over an individuals' life. Common traits include obsessive thoughts about food, self-weighing several times a day, eating at the same time every day, arranging food in a certain order, or always eating in the same place. Such behaviour can increase the isolation and sense of despair felt by an individual.


Recovery
Binge Eating Disorder and Compulsive Overeating are serious conditions. Nevertheless, a return to healthy eating is possible, given appropriate professional support. We'll discuss recovery from BED and CO in more detail later in this section.

The overeating of a person with BED or CO is commonly a search for comfort, or relief from anxiety or stress.

Self Help

There are tens of thousands of people with an eating disorder both in the UK and worldwide who are living healthy and productive lives. They attend a self-help group called overeaters anonymous. Anyone who feels they may have a problem with food may attend, whether they are anorexic, bulimic, overweight or if they have some concerns about their use of food. There are many meetings in the UK and worldwide.

Overeaters Anonymous - 07000 784985
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Name: hopelessxox7 | Date: Dec 12th, 2006 11:34 PM
Hey thank you. I never knew that eating so much at once was the reason for my sugar craving! I also didn't know that it was bad to eat in the same spot at the same time everyday - ah and yes all i think about is food! grr

And i think ill check out one of the eating disorder anonymous things. Thanks again. =] 

Name: lucie | Date: Dec 13th, 2006 7:20 AM
Good for you!

Let me know how you get on chik.

xx 

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