Dr. Steven Crawford on Compulsive Overeating - Info on Compulsive Overeating

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Lynk: I don't starve myself. I just keep eating and eating. Is this usual?

Dr. Crawford: Binge eating disorder is defined as not counteracting the effects of eating large quantities of food. Most people that binge eat, do not starve, but repeat the pattern of binge eating over and over.

Gemma: Is there a difference between people that overeat and those that stop eating? Are the emotions behind the behavior generally the same?

Dr. Crawford: I believe that there are great similarities in the two problems with people using food in very different ways to cope.

Bob M: If one were to be serious about recovery, and really dedicate themselves to it, how long would it take before you start to see results?

Dr. Crawford: Again results come gradually with progress met at times with set backs. We try to assist people in first not looking at the scale to judge if they are making progress. We try to define progress as movement towards a healthy lifestyle with normalized eating patterns and increased activity. Movement can begin as early as the first session.

Bob M: Is there such a thing as people who compulsively eat and then vomit?

Dr. Crawford: While this is not a defined category, there are many individuals that do engage in this process... that is, they do not binge but will induce vomiting after eating normal sized meals. These fit into an unspecified category, but still have an eating disorder that deserves attention and treatment.

Bob M: Previously, we had a guest on, and I know there's a new book out on this, who spoke about the theory that you can just eat everything in site, until finally you are repulsed by food and quit eating and settle into a comfortable and more healthy eating pattern. Is this realistic? And is it healthy? And is it effective?

Dr. Crawford: Frequently, people are accustomed to a diet mentality and are used to depriving themselves of food that they want. The concept behind this theory is that by allowing oneself to eat what they want, when they want it, it will decrease the desirability of that food and decrease the likelihood of bingeing. It works on the premise that as humans we want what we cannot have or at least what we are told we should not have. This gives it greater importance. By permitting oneself to eat, it becomes a part of everyday life. This is slightly different than the idea you suggest with eating until you are actually repulsed by food. This would not be healthy in that it is important to learn to incorporate food into your life in a healthy way.

Bob M: Here's an audience comment on that:

frcnb: I'm afraid I couldn't stop once I started.

Dr. Crawford: In summary, eating until you are actually repulsed by food is probably not helpful but allowing oneself to eat what one wants when wanted is helpful.

Bob M: It's getting late. I appreciate you coming tonight Dr. Crawford. And thanks to everyone in the audience. The transcript will be on our site by Friday evening.

Dr. Crawford: Good night and thanks Bob for providing me with this opportunity.

Bob M: Good Night.

back to: Eating Disorders Conference Transcripts
~ Other Conferences Index
~ all eating disorders articles