Compulsive overeating is a true addiction, just like drugs or alcohol, and needs to be taken as seriously as other life-threatening eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Instead of receiving the proper treatment for their disorder, the majority of compulsive overeaters are sent to health spas and weight loss programs. Diets absolutely will not work for these kinds of people; they can cut calories indefinitely, but will never reach success until the emotional reasons at the root of the binges are dealt with.
Unfortunately, food isn’t something that overeaters can just give up. It isn’t something that a person can go through rehab for and quit doing, since we need food for survival. Overcoming compulsive eating requires professional treatment such as psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and sometimes drug therapy such as antidepressants. If you think you or someone you love might have this problem, we’ve included links to some helpful eating disorder resources.