Hi, i'm new here and was wondering if there is such a thing as an over-eating disorder? I don't mean greed, I mean a mental impossibility to stop eating.

I have suffered mental illness in the past, but thought it was all behind me. I have also always been at one end or the other of extreme eating - either not enough to survive for more than a few weeks, or a serious amount too much. Recently, however, I have started to binge. I dont mean little binges either, I mean horrific unstoppable eating. It was really made clear to me this evening when I ate for 6 hours non-stop. I truly and honestly wanted to stop eating, but I couldn't. I threw up twice during the 6-hour period, not through choice, but I physically couldn't handle anymore food. I dont know how to describe it, but I guess the only way I really can is that in the same was as an anorexic truly cannot bring themselves to eat, I truly, truly could not bring myself to stop, no matter how hard I tried. I really didn't wan't to be eating, but it was like I wasn't in control.

Is this an eating disorder or something completely different, and is it possible to have an OVER-eating disorder?

Cheers
xXx

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I have heard of people having an "over eating disorder". They have groups for people with it...over-eaters ananomous. You might want to look into it.

Jenn

Cheers, I will :)

I do the same thing.... :( And the result?? I am 26 pounds heavier now than I was last year. :eek:

But, yes, there is a name for this. It could be either binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating disorder, or maybe a mixture between the both, or maybe even bulimia since you make yourself throw up. You can do a search for more information.

I looked into over-eaters annonymous, but it's all a bit too religious for me. They follow a 12-step programme, a lot of which seems to be to do with asking God for forgivness and admiting to themselves and God that they need help. That's just not my thing.

BTW, is it possible to treat COD with meds? If it is, I can make an appt... I know it will be a lot to do with willpower etc, but can be helped along the way at all with meds?

I'm not sure only taking meds will help...you need to find someone who can help you get to the root of the problem...your problem is not the eating...eating is just a symptom for something else that's going on.

I agree you are using food to cope with an emotional problem and in the process you are not only distracting yourself and causing physical discomfort and more emotional distress as well