To the individual suffering from compulsive eating help is available. When an individual is caught in the grips of the addiction cycle he or she is unable to control the amount of food eaten or to know when the binge will end. The feelings are very similar to that of an alcoholic or drug addict. The compulsion to eat, drink or drug is present then he or she acts out on it and there appears to be no end in sight. Someone who is a compulsive eater keeps the food they do not purge or use laxatives inevitably they gain weight.

Individuals eat past the point of being comfortable he or she typically will try to gain control by yet another diet or quick fix pill always resulting in relapse and spiraling out of control again with the first bite. I often explain to individual’s think of the eating disorder as addiction there maybe no rhyme or reason it just is. For whatever reason his or her body doesn’t process food correctly! The compulsive eater uses food to fill a void, to cope with stress, to not have to feel, to avoid his or her problems, or to create a state of numbness to difficult situations or feelings.

As long as he or she refuses to face the problem of the addiction he or she will continue to be anxious, depressed, over whelmed, bored and feel alone. Individuals will attempt to diet and continual fail and his or her self esteem will be affected. Eating disorders affect every area of a persons life the quick fix or temporary relief he or she feels is a double edged sword followed by guilt, shame and remorse.

Eating disorders are a disease of isolation. Feelings are not facts even though they feel real they are an illusion. Eating disorder treatment programs address the underlying causes, allows the individual to see how poor impulse control plays a role in the decisions he or she make. If he or she recognizes they are a compulsive eater – the good news is hope is available. Healing is beginning already call and reach out for help “You are not alone!”