For those of you who catagorize yourselves as "compulsive eaters", do you have any other symptoms of compulsive behavior? I have always exhibited compulsive bad habits, since I was young. I was young when the eating started. The only thing I've really been able to control on and off again is my nail biting. I used to chew so obsessively that my cuticles were often infected, and my nails were so disgusting. Now I leave them alone, but I can't stop chewing the inside of my mouth, to the point where my whole mouth burns when I brush my teeth or eat something acidic.
I have a lot of other examples of this. I'm wondering if there is a way to turn off the compulsiveness. anything that anyone might share would be helpful.

I also used to bite my nails and cuticles. (still do a bit, but not damaging anymore)
Now I have this problem with my ears, they are itchy a lot, and sometimes I just cant stop scratching, to the point of bleeding, and infection.
I have been on a couple of different antidepressants in the last couple of years, (for depression, but most also work for ocd, or obsessive compulsive disorders) and they haven't helped the ear thing, so I think there is actually a problem, although allergy treatments haven't helped so I am thinking candida....but i digress
Sometimes I do this nervous habit that no one can see. I count my teeth with my tongue. And there is a systematic way I do it. I make a pattern. I do similar things with my fingers, tapping them in patterns. Also other muscles in my body.
Is this a compulsion, a habit or something else? honestly don't know. For the most part its not harmful, or keeping me from a fruitful life. I Just wish the ears would stop itching. I that I could stop bingeing. 10 days with out a binge!
fatmad

I used to be compulsive about organizing things. I remember one time looking through a bin of CDs and starting to organize them to look all neat, so the titles could be easily read.

Hi baristamon, I also have the same compulsive habits. I used to bite my nails but the only way I can stop that is by getting acrylics put on. I still have the compulsive eating problem too. I wash my hands after touching anything all day long so my hands are dried out. I have anxiety issues I never had before and I'm not sure where they are coming from. When I get in to talk to my doctor maybe she will have some insight on this sort of thing. If so I will let you know.

Every overweight person I know has other compulsions...and almost every thin person too. Mine were excessive drinking, and smoking. I gave all my harmful compulsions up. I get some times compulsive about clean house/ clean laundry/ perfect lawn/ leaves...but it doesn't last long and then there is the lazy compulsive Internet junkie...wish I could kick that habit.

My Mother, (lifetime obesity) chewed her fingernails and read novel after novel and was a compulsive smoker and complainer. I have fat friends and siblings that are alcoholics, workaholics, smokers, druggies, nail biters, neat freaks, and overachievers...I also have thin friends and family who are all of the above...LOL

You know what Lori Bell I think you are right. I never thought of that.

I definitely have compulsions and it also runs in my family (both sides), not just compulsion in regards to food, but lifestyle. I'm seeing a therapist right now because I seem to have a severe case of OCD. I thought everyone behaved the way I did, but I'm finding that I'm waaaay past the norm in the obsessive/compulsive area. Apparently OCD is not only brought on as a way to cope with difficulties, but it also is hereditary.

I have OCD along with depression and anxiety. I am taking meds and getting counseling, but the eating thing is still the hardest. I was able to stop a lot of the compulsive counting things and obsessiveness about symmetry, but even after fairly intensive binge eating treatment, that is the hardest.

By the way, my sister is underweight and is very OCD as well.

Yes, I am definitely obsessive-compulsive about certain things. I'm also an alcoholic and do a lot of 12 step work in AA. In that program it is said that the alcoholic has an obsession of the mind and followed by the body's compulsion to follow through on it. I think any behavior can become addictive when it stops us from feeling emotions and creates shame. Although the obsession to drink was removed years ago, I now am having real issues with food.

wow. its interesting to see how all of these things are linked together. trying to take them all on at once is overwhelming, yet one at a time makes the others intensify. I am really trying to have the strength to overcome these obstacles. I want to feel in control, which often makes me feel completely out of control. i've considered seeing a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist, but i've had horrible luck with those people in the past, and i don't really know where to start. seems like all any of them ever want to do is write in their notebooks and avoid eye contact. one time i had a therapist demand that i learn to cope, although she could not explain to me what that meant (I was about 8 or 9). I wish for a magic wand, to make the anxiety and the compulsiveness disappear...