Many individuals suffer from Compulsive Overeating Disorder and they are not aware that help is available. This eating disorder is a learned behavior traced back to early childhood. The individual learned to develop dysfunctional eating habits - possibly from watching a role model or as an instinctive response to a trauma; this eating disorder leads to obesity which causes shame, guilt and embarrassment, which, in turn, continues the cycle of addiction. When an individual is overweight he or she can’t hide the problem - they wear it for everyone to see. Typically, depression and anxiety appear early on and then isolation begins.

Some co-morbidities associated with Compulsive Overeating Disorder are Diabetes, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Heart conditions, Fatigue, Low Self-Esteem, Depression, Anxiety to name a few. Even though the physical signs are obvious, the scale tells the person the bad news every time he or she steps on the scale; the cycle of addiction perpetuates the disorder. Compulsive Overeaters spend years watching the scale go up and down. Sadly, every time they experience weight loss it is only short lived. The individual breaks the rigid diet they are on and “cheats” or goes off the diet and the result is more weight gain than when they initially started.

People who are close to the Compulsive Overeater often give unsolicited advice in the misguided belief they are being supportive. A Compulsive Overeater already feels hopeless and unworthy. The help from “friends”, no matter how well intentioned, reinforces what they believe to be true “they can’t stop”, so why try? Inpatient treatment for a Compulsive Overeater is a valid course of treatment. Learning new coping skills and ways of dealing with normal day stressors is essential for success! The foundation to a new way of life is through a supportive dual diagnosis inpatient treatment program where eating disorders are addressed.

Joanna works for the Women’s Behavioral Program. She has overcome adversities and shares her hope with anyone she comes in contact with. Joanna is a known published author in the Bariatric and Weight Loss Community, she has spent the last 13 years helping to inspire and motivate people on the value of the body, mind and spirit connection.

How can an individual not focus on food? Every time the television is on the headlining news is broadcasting an actress or model who is suffering from an eating disorder. When standing in line at the local grocery store look to the right and see the assorted array of candy bars and gum loaded with sugar. Then look to the left and the assorted magazine’s and tabloid newspaper’s telling us about the latest actress or model with an eating disorder. All day long messages are sent out through all forms of media telling us about our health, diet, exercise, nutrition, medications available to melt fat, or to not crave food any more.

This leaves a person stuck whirling with unanswered questions and concerns. How many times have youseen or heard of a famous person battling with an eating disorder? The reality of eating disorders is they affect every one, men, women, young, old, black, white, Hispanic and does not discriminate. How is not a word to use if youwant to recover from a food addiction? Expecting to get a simple answer to how it began is futile. So many factors are involved in the how? And why it began?

In order to recover from eating disorders you need to start with where you are right now. Have an eating disorder assessment done, based on the information gathered your next course of action with be outpatient or inpatient eating disorder treatment program. Eating disorders thrive on keeping the individual isolated, full of shame and guilt. The person affected feels alone and doesn’t believe they can ever stop. If you are ready to get help look into following up with an eating disorder treatment program to learn how to live your life without focusing on food?

Joanna works for the Women’s Behavioral Program. She has overcome adversities and shares her hope with anyone she comes in contact with. Joanna is a known published author in the Bariatric and Weight Loss Community, she has spent the last 13 years helping to inspire and motivate people on the value of the body, mind and spirit connection.