What is Compulsive Overeating?

Compulsive overeating, often linked to Binge Eating Disorder (BED), involves episodes of consuming large quantities of food—often rapidly and to the point of discomfort—without the purging behaviors seen in bulimia. These episodes are typically driven by emotional triggers such as stress, shame, or trauma.

Unlike occasional overeating, compulsive overeating is recurrent, distressing, and difficult to control. It can lead to serious health risks such as obesity, diabetes, and depression, and often causes deep emotional pain and social isolation.

5 Signs & Symptoms of Compulsive Overeating

Frequent Episodes of Binge Eating

Regularly consuming unusually large amounts of food in a short period, often in private.

Loss of Control During Eating Episodes

Feeling unable to stop eating, even when uncomfortably full or no longer hungry.

Emotional Eating Patterns

Eating in response to negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or boredom.

Guilt, Shame, or Depression After Eating

Intense emotional distress and self-criticism following overeating episodes.

Fluctuating or Rapid Weight Gain

Noticeable weight changes without consistent dietary habits or exercise.

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, click below to take our eating disorders quiz.

Treatment Options for Compulsive Overeating

  • Medical Evaluation & Nutritional Counseling
    Manage physical health while creating sustainable eating habits.

  • Therapeutic Support
    CBT, DBT, trauma-informed therapy, and experiential modalities to identify emotional triggers and promote healing.

  • Meal Planning & Food Exposure
    Structured, supportive reintroduction of balanced eating behaviors.

  • Body Image & Self-Esteem Work
    Rebuild a positive relationship with one’s body and identity.

  • Aftercare Planning
    Ongoing support to ensure relapse prevention and long-term recovery.

Luxury Treatment for Compulsive Overeating

Our high-end recovery centers offer a safe, peaceful environment for deep healing. With private accommodations, chef-prepared meals, and spa-like amenities, Virtue Recovery blends clinical excellence with luxury comfort.

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Our Las Vegas Luxury Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

Our Las Vegas inpatient treatment center provides 24/7 care in a structured and supportive environment. Here, clients receive individualized treatment plans that combine medical monitoring, nutritional counseling, and therapy to address the physical and emotional aspects of compulsive overeating.

This facility is designed to help individuals step away from daily stressors and immerse themselves fully in recovery with a dedicated care team available around the clock.

Our Las Vegas Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

For individuals who do not require inpatient care or who are transitioning back into daily life, our Las Vegas outpatient center provides flexible treatment options.

Outpatient programs allow clients to receive structured therapy, nutritional counseling, and group support while continuing to live at home. This level of care is ideal for those balancing recovery with work, school, or family responsibilities.

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Our Las Vegas Adolescent / Teen Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

At Virtue Recovery, we recognize that compulsive overeating and other eating disorders affect teens differently than adults. Our Adolescent / Teen Inpatient Eating Disorder Program is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of young people and their families.

Our teen program combines medical monitoring, therapeutic support, and nutritional counseling with age-appropriate strategies that foster resilience, confidence, and healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a behavioral eating disorder involving recurrent binge eating episodes where individuals consume large amounts of food and feel out of control, often followed by emotional distress.

They’re closely related. Compulsive overeating can occur with or without a clinical diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), but both involve similar patterns and consequences.

It can be caused by emotional trauma, chronic dieting, depression, anxiety, or stress. Food often becomes a coping mechanism for underlying psychological issues.

Yes. It can result in weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health issues like depression and low self-esteem.

Treatment involves nutritional guidance, therapy (CBT, DBT), emotional regulation, and long-term recovery support—all of which are offered at Virtue Recovery.

Glossary of Terms for Compulsive Overeating Treatment

Repeated episodes of uncontrollable eating, often used to manage emotions.

A clinical diagnosis involving frequent, distressing binge episodes.

A treatment that helps individuals change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.

Eating in response to feelings instead of hunger.

Structured support post-treatment to reduce relapse risk.

Support from dietitians to develop a healthy relationship with food.

Therapy focused on improving self-image and acceptance.

Intensive, residential care for eating disorders.

Flexible treatment allowing clients to receive therapy and support while living at home.

Counseling that strengthens the role of families in recovery, especially for adolescents.

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