“There is more of a need to self-soothe and food is the easy, legal one. You don’t need a fake ID to buy a bag of chips,” said Dr. Wakschal, who leads a bariatric surgery support group at Staten Island University Hospital for pre- and post-operative patients.

Signs of binge eating include complaints about hunger; increased food cravings; eating disproportionate-sized meals; late-night snacking, and hiding how much food one eats.

Many who binge eat have been using it as a coping mechanism for a long time, Dr. Wakschal said. Some may have had adequate coping skills until faced with a trauma and then they turn to food to relieve stress. The problem is, it works, but only for a short time.

“The thought process becomes, ‘every time I eat, I feel better, so that way, I’ll eat all the time,’” Dr. Wakschal explained.

THREE COMPONENTS 

Sondra Kronberg, a spokeswoman for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), said there are three components to binge eating.

The first is the emotional, underlying aspect that leads to food becoming a coping mechanism, i.e., a divorce or other trauma. “When they feel angry, they eat; when lonely, they eat,” she said, explaining, “What the world cannot fix, food does. It’s their best friend and comfort.”

Then there is the physiological piece that causes cravings. If people don’t eat properly or are on diets that leave their bodies feeling deprived, it can lead to cravings and bingeing.

Last, is the behavioral component, the unhealthy ways in which they lead their lives. This includes behavior like skipping breakfast or remaining sedentary, both of which can lead to overeating.

According to Ms. Kronberg, director of the Eating Disorder Treatment Collaborative in Long Island and Manhattan, some people are more vulnerable to compulsive overeating, including those with genetic predispositions toward depression, low-self esteem and anxiety.

Additionally, she said, “In this culture, being a genetically predisposed height and weight that’s not thought of as ideal, puts me at a greater risk for an eating disorder. It also puts me at greater risk for binge eating disorder  –  if you try to restrict too much, you may binge eat.”

GETTING HELP 

The treatment for compulsive overeating depends on the individual, Dr. Wakschal said. The clinician first needs to take a thorough family and developmental history to get an idea of the root of the problem.

“Without a foundation,” he said, “I don’t think any intervention will work.”

Those with the compulsion also need to be educated about their behavior and the underlying cause before treatment. For some, Dr. Wakschal said he may use cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, which consists of changing their thoughts and thinking patterns regarding food. For others, it may involve simple directions regarding portion control.

Ms. Kronberg added that support groups can help, by letting compulsive eaters know they’re not alone and sharing strategies others use to battle binge eating.

Most of all, she said, it’s about finding a balance, which is difficult in a society that struts size zero models on the catwalk while simultaneously super-sizing meals at fast food restaurants.

“People don’t know how to feed themselves in a balanced, nurturing, pleasurable way,” Ms. Kronberg concluded. “I always say, ‘food is the last playground.’ We grow up financially and academically, but food is the last thing people want to give up.”

For more information about NEDA, visit nationaleatingdisorders.org or call the helpline at 800-931-2237.

Andrea Boyarsky is the Health editor for the Advance. She may be reached at boyarsky@siadvance.com. 

Do you agree that food is the last playground? Please comment below.

Many Blessings,

Meryl

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