Compulsive Eating

Definition

Compulsive eating, also known as binge eating, is the uncontrollable urge to consume large amounts of food, often resulting in feelings of guilt and distress.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Compulsive eating is characterized by episodes of excessive and uncontrollable eating that are not necessarily related to hunger. These episodes are often accompanied by a sense of loss of control and are followed by psychological distress, making it a significant mental health disorder categorized under eating disorders.

Benefits

Examples

• Experiencing frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short period of time.
• Feeling unable to stop eating during a binge episode.

Additional Information

• Known issues: Compulsive eating can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It can also contribute to psychological issues like depression and anxiety.

Related Terms

• Binge Eating Disorder
• Emotional Eating
• Eating Disorders

References

• Understanding and Overcoming Compulsive Eating
• Binge Eating Disorder Basics