Compulsive Overeating

Compulsive overeating is characterized by an addiction to food. If you are suffering from compulsive overeating disorder you might engage in frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binging, and at those time you might feel completely out of control. Often times you might eat more quickly than is normal, and continue to eat even past the point of being uncomfortably full. Afterward you may feel intense guilt feelings and depression. Additionally, at times, you might find that you eat when you are not hungry, spend excessive amounts of time and thought devoted to food, and secretly plan or fantasize about eating alone. Compulsive overeating almost always leads to weight gain and obesity, but not everyone who is obese is also a compulsive overeater.

Often times compulsive overeaters can also engage in grazing behavior, during which they return to pick at food over and over throughout the day, in addition to binging. This results in a large overall number of calories consumed even if the quantities eaten at any one time may be small.

Left untreated, compulsive overeating can lead to serious medical conditions including high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and clinical depression. Additional long-term side effects of the condition also include kidney disease, arthritis, bone deterioration and stroke.

In common with other eating disorders, there is a significant emotional element to compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeaters use food as self-medication to cope with overwhelming emotions of shame and depression. If this sounds like something you do, this self-medication may not only provide you emotional comfort of the act of eating, but may have the physiological effect of making the you actually feel "drugged," sluggish, sleepy, and focused on nothing but the sensation of fullness. This is especially the case when large amounts of sugar and simple carbohydrates are consumed. Sadly this leads to other things and you may feel guilty that you are "not good enough" and feel ashamed of your increasing weight.


Signs of Compulsive Overeating

  • Binge eating, or eating uncontrollably even when not physically hungry
  • Eating much more rapidly than normal
  • Eating alone due to shame and embarrassment
  • Feelings of guilt due to overeating
  • Preoccupation with body weight
  • Depression or mood swings
  • Awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
  • History of weight fluctuations
  • Withdrawal from activities because of embarrassment about weight
  • History of many different unsuccessful diets
  • Eating little in public, but maintaining a high body weight


Disordered Eating Program

Treatment at Alta Mira provides a supportive environment in which to change and transform. This intense journey becomes an adventure to look inward, listen and take action. To confront each lie and belief we have about ourselves, break old agreements and build new ones, is the challenge. Overcoming an eating disorder is to master a force within oneself and create love; to change victimization into a new truth. The disordered eating module addresses distortions in thinking and disordered eating and focuses on the brain chemical imbalance through the restoration of good nutrition. We, at Alta Mira, challenge the fear and the investment of holding onto old patterns that bring old results. Treatment is designed to face the pain and the joy simultaneously, thereby taking a quantum leap forward to a new you. This approach brings an integral understanding that you can then take into practice to transform your life.

We invite you to be an active participant in your own life and to discover your relationship to the mystery of living. "Stories" are more about meanings than facts. If you can make sense of your story, you can change it. No one can tell another person how to change their story - that is a personal, spiritual process. "Truth" is an independent decision.


The Approach

You will have the opportunity to recreate your path through a blending of both conventional and integrative approaches including but not limited to the following:
  • A full medical and psychological assessment that covers electrolyte balance, weight, nutritional deficiencies and co-occurring disorders
  • Individual, twice weekly, sessions with your primary therapist to help you process your experiences here
  • Skills training, such as emotional regulation, practical skills, distress tolerance, and integration of insights
  • Group therapy at least three times per week as well as a variety of group activities, both on and off campus. You will encounter a number of different professional facilitators with expertise in their particular specialty areas (i.e. Equine Therapy, Adventure Therapy, body image, food/mood, Expressive Art Therapy)
  • Optional IV, Oral and Dietary Nutrient Therapy to rebalance brain and body chemistry quickly, addressing specific nutritional deficiencies
  • Regular body work such as exercise, yoga, massage, meditation, message, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapy, Rosen Body Work, acupuncture, energy healing, and breath work to help you detoxify, grow and relax
  • Self-directed, individual growth experiences through literature, self-instructional CDs, DVDs, and videos. Journaling is encouraged to record and track your experiences
  • Attendance at support group meetings of your choice (with staff approval) at least twice per week
  • Participation in Experiential Groups where the primary focus will be on intense, personal experiences that will surprise and enlighten you
  • Attendance at educational seminars on a variety of subjects (i.e. Nutrition, Sleep Hygiene, Native American practices) related to recovery, growth, healing, and transformation
  • Close work with your Program Director and Support Team to develop and implement a program that is appropriate and effective for you
  • Family Therapy addressing root causes and insight into interpersonal dynamics


Areas of Focus

We will address issues in different realms to help you achieve your desired outcomes. These and other areas will be addressed:
  1. Correcting brain chemistry imbalances
    • Assess history of low-calorie dieting
    • Balance unstable blood sugar
    • Repair low thyroid function as needed
    • Overcome addictions to certain foods
    • Adjust fatty acid deficiency
  2. Heightening Awareness
    • Uncover your "story"
    • How do you defend and maintain you story? (Cognitive)
      *Ego/image
      *Illusion of control/power
      *Tolerance for insanity (yours/others)
      *Grandiosity/self centeredness
      *Alienation/detachment
      *Beliefs/judgments
      *Fears
    • How do you distract yourself from the "truth?" ( Behavioral )
      *Addictions
      *Attachments
      *Drama
      *Work/play
      *"Stuff"
  3. Increasing Clarity
    • What do you say you want?
      *Values
      *Actions
    • What are you attached to?
    • What can you "let go" of?
  4. Learning Free Choice and Personal Responsibility
    • What do you really want?
    • What are you willing to do?
    • What are you committed to?
    • What "truth" will you live?


The Tools

The above questions help point out the direction for a new path, the tools help to clear the new path, and your level of willingness to be responsible for new and different choices determines the depth and applicability of your discoveries. Some of the tools you will use to assist you in learning to be responsible for yourself and to others are:
  • Individual reflection and addressing superficial levels of behaviors (Disordered Eating, Substance Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Sexual Compulsivity, others)
  • Active and honest feedback from staff and peers
  • Emotional regulation
  • Increase awareness and identify Core Beliefs that unconsciously drive behaviors
  • Identifying true passion and bliss and what you want for your life
  • The Four Agreements
  • Meditation/Mindfulness
  • Journaling
  • Meal Planning
  • Self-care skills
  • Body and energy work increasing awareness of body sensations associated with emotions
  • Body Image Awareness
  • Relapse Prevention
  • Participation (showing up)
  • Honesty
We invite you to take this journey and to heal in ways that will open up your life on every level and change your relationship to food, weight and body image.