Compulsive overeating is often triggered by underlying problems, such as stress or boredom, and can be a symptom of bulimia nervosa. Mitigating strategies include taking a daily multivitamin, avoiding triggers, replacing eating with other activities, and seeking medical and psychological treatment for bulimia.
Most people who find themselves trapped in a cycle of compulsive overeating already know that hunger is rarely the reason for the behavior. Underlying problems, whether minor or serious, often trigger binge eating and need to be addressed to stop overeating. While triggers like stress or boredom may be easy to identify on their own, compulsive overeating can also be a symptom of a disease like bulimia nervosa, which needs to be diagnosed and treated by a health professional.
If the source of the stress itself cannot be avoided, compulsive overeating caused by stress can be mitigated by taking a daily multivitamin, which can help prevent stress-triggered cravings. Simply having no snacks within one’s home can greatly reduce the chances of compulsive or mindless overeating, as well as limit spending on ingredients rather than precooked foods and microwave meals. To snack occasionally without slipping into binge eating, purchasing individually wrapped snack boxes can help maintain portion control.
Those who find themselves bingeing due to boredom should try to replace eating with another activity to occupy themselves during trigger periods. For example, if someone finds that they overeat compulsively while sitting in front of the TV, then watching TV should be avoided or eating should be replaced by another activity during the viewing period. Activities such as knitting, exercising or ironing could be done while watching TV and keeping one too busy to eat at the same time. Mints or suckers that take a long time to dissolve may also be a better substitute for other snacks, as they feel like they are constantly eating.
Compulsive overeating caused by bulimia nervosa is characterized by the habit of forcing yourself to vomit after compulsive eating, also known as a “binge and purge.” If bulimia is the cause of compulsive overeating, it should be treated by a doctor in combination with psychological counseling. Like anorexia nervosa, bulimia is a disease with psychological roots that causes people to associate guilt and shame with food, resulting in food deprivation followed by compulsive overeating and purging.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
