As commonly known to most of us, Anorexia and Bulimia are the most common forms of eating disorders. While this is true to a large extent, Compulsive over Eating is another type of an eating disorder which is slowly becoming very common too. The symptoms are the exact opposite to that of Anorexia and can cause serious damage to ones health. It too is basically a mental problem and has been found to be difficult to surmount. Let us try and understand this disorder more thoroughly.

Firstly, gender is not a bias for those affected by this disorder and therefore both males and females are affected. Recent studies have however shown females being more afflicted. Over eating can be described as going on a food eating binge and literally gorging on food. This binge in most cases is caused by accepting eating as a comfort from mental stress and is followed by a period of guilt and depression.

A person affected continues eating even after they are full and does this regularly every day, every meal. All of us tend to pig out on food at times, but when one overeats every single time, it is cause for worry and also for a check up to ensure you too are not becoming a compulsive over eater.

Some common pointers to one being a compulsive over eater are (a) Finishing your meal well before others and a desire to virtually attack the food on your plate. (b) Eating when not physically hungry that is eating without any hunger pangs or eating just for the heck of it. (c) Eating to a point when you feel distinctly uncomfortable. Every time you get up after a meal you realize you have over eaten but cannot help it. (d) Realizing that you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above regularly and are yet not able to stop your self.

Although compulsive over eating may not seem like a major problem or serious enough to cause worry, it has a very large number of negative affects on your good health. Heart disease, heightened cholesterol level, type II diabetes and obesity can result from this disorder.

The mental affect of having low self esteem is a major fall out and can have serious consequences. Proper counseling and guidance is required to relieve this mental strain. The best option in case some one you know is affected by this disorder is to make him/her open up to discuss the problem with you or an expert. While discussing such a problem be very serious and use a sympathetic and compassionate manner.

Understand the physical and mental stress the person is undergoing and make sure you do not ridicule him ever. If symptoms are left untreated it can have serious consequences and it is therefore highly advisable to consult a specialist for counseling.

Compulsive over eating is a disorder affecting a large number of people, especially in large towns and cities and we need to tackle such symptoms early.