Compulsive over eaters tend to be overweight and normally are aware that they have an eating disorder. However, because of society’s influence and stereotyping, “being aware” they have an eating disorder and knowing how to cope with it and overcome it is a different thing altogether.
It is so easy for the person who does not have an eating disorder to tell another “so go on a diet” or “don’t eat so much” that we just can’t comprehend how difficult it is for a compulsive over eater to get help and change their eating habits. All eating disorders are typically “effects”, not “causes” of the disorder. There is an underlying reason WHY they have unhealthy eating habits; whether they eat too much or not enough, the “cause” is what needs to be found, treated, and healed for these people to recover from their eating disorders. It could be that a traumatic event has occurred, a disruption in family dynamics, a major “loss” of some kind in their lives, or a combination of these and many other reasons.
Compulsive over eater sufferers are at risk for heart attacks, cholesterol and high blood pressure, kidney diseases, bone deterioration and arthritis, and strokes. As you can see from this list, there are some serious health issues that people with this disorder are at risk for. While many compulsive over eaters will hide behind baggy and ill fitting clothes, there are some who provoke “shock” tactics by wearing clothes that others will make comments about, i.e. outrageous styles, which tend to keep people away from them. It is just another way to keep others at arms length.
Low self-esteem, low confidence levels, feelings of shame for being “heavy”, feelings of guilt for being “bad” or “not good enough” are common in this group.
All of these feelings, of course, tend to keep the cycle of compulsive over eating in motion. They eat because these feelings overwhelm them and so, to help them cope, they eat more and more which just causes more frustration, more shame, and more guilt.
Eating turns into a substitution for affection, for acceptance, and for love. It turns into a “control” that they CAN handle, even if they can’t handle everything else going on in their lives at that time.
Bottom line, compulsive over eaters and all other eating disorder sufferers, need support, NOT judgment. They need acceptance for who they are, NOT scorn, and encouragement to seek assistance from others. In building up their self confidence and self-esteem, then, and only then, can the root of their eating disorder be treated and dissolved.
As a recovered bulimic, I can certainly sympathize with those going through an eating disorder or helping another who has a disorder. The people who develop these disorders are usually extremely intelligent, creative, and very eager to please others. So much so that they try to please others before they please “themselves”. Those with eating disorders need your help and support. They need to get started on a treatment to turn their lives around to a more positive one, one where they can be confidant in themselves and develop a self-esteem that will booster their self worth.
They need HELP, not judgment!
To find out more on the Effects of Bulimia, please go to http://squidoo.com/effectsofbulimia
