Behavorial Techniques to Stop Compulsive Eating

Compulsive eaters eat even when they are not hungry.

Compulsive overeating is regularly eating large amounts of food even when you are not hungry. Compulsive overeaters often eat a lot of food, quickly, and possibly to the point of discomfort. According to "Psychology Today," as many as 4 million adults struggle with the disorder.

Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal can identify triggers that cause overeating. Emotions like boredom, anger or loneliness, may cause you to eat when you are not hungry. Keeping a journal will help you discover behaviors such as using food as a way to relax after a long day, or as a comfort when a spouse is on a business trip.

Replace Old Habits

If you find that certain cues or emotions cause you to eat, you may be able to replace the eating habit with a new one, like calling a friend or going for a walk.

Ask for Help

Talking about your feelings instead of eating is a healthier way to address problems you may have in your life. Furthermore, if feelings of sadness or depression are causing you to overeat, a trained professional might be able to identify underlying mental health issues such as depression.

References

• Psychology Today: "Compulsive Overeating"
• National Eating Disorders Association
• American Psychological Association