Compulsive Overeating - Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery. Our Fairfax, VA Center for Discovery specializes in treating this Eating Disorder.

Compulsive Overeating Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery | Fairfax, VA

What is Compulsive Overeating?

Compulsive overeating, also known as food addiction, is a term described by mental health professionals and eating disorder specialists for individuals who eat a large amount of food in a short period of time and feel “out of control” about their eating habits. This intense urge to consume a large amount of food in a short period of time is triggered by underlying feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and control issues. Compulsive overeating is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V). Instead compulsive overeating is a term used to describe an unhealthy eating behavior that can be described as comfort eating or a food addiction. Compulsive overeating affects both men and women of all ages as opposed to the majority of eating disorders which have a greater tendency to affect more women than men.

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Center For Discovery Fairfax, VA specializes in residential treatment for compulsive overeating with unique treatment programs for every individual to get them on their way to eating disorder recovery.

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Why is Compulsive Overeating  treatment important and what to expect in the eating disorder treatment program.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the clinical approach for compulsive overeating and binge-eating disorder at the Discovery Fairfax, VA recovery center. Cognitive behavioral therapy encompasses multiple techniques that focus on identifying and challenging negative automatic thoughts and behaviors. The treatment programs also utilizes techniques to reinforce positive behaviors and cognition. Distorted or maladaptive thoughts regarding food and body image are initially identified and addressed in order to allow better insight and understanding of the underlying triggers associated with these thoughts. Both the patient and therapist must recognize these thoughts and identify when and why they occur in order for behavioral change to take place. Behavioral approaches to recognizing and eliminating maladaptive thoughts associated with body weight include food journaling, exploring the underlying irrational beliefs regarding the individual’s self-esteem, learning to differentiate between certain emotional feelings and maintaining a written log of thoughts and resulting feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps with binging behavior but is not associated with weight loss.  

Nutrition and dietary therapy are also highly recommended for compulsive overeating as it is important for the individual to gain insight on when, how much and which types of food to eat in order to maintain a healthy weight. The therapy simultaneously provides patients with the knowledge to ensure proper intake of vitamins and nutrients.