I'm a compulsive overeater and have found recovery through Overeaters Anonymous.  Let me know if you want to talk about it!

I binge eat, although it is better than it used to be.  I think of stuffing food as a way to stuff my emotions.  I always ask myself about what I am trying to "stuff" away and why.  That usually helps me to stop eating, but isn't so hot for my depression!

I know the feeling of being "possessed" by food.  Like I heard in Weight Watchers many years ago, do not let yourself get too hungry, too tired or too lonely because that is what makes for a binge.  Also, that the distance between one mood and other is only 5 very deep breaths.  I have tried it with binging and I notice I need 15 deep breaths, but I can stop myself about 90% of the time.  Such a vast improvement.

I would also tell you not to beat yourself up about this.  If you do that, you'll feel more guilty and the way you feel about yourself and care for yourself will suffer.  Yup, I'll say it: FORGIVE YOURSELF and try to move on.  We ALL do things we don't think are very good/nice/the right thing, but flogging yourself over your shortcomings will only make matters worse.  If you are eating low fat, healthy fruit and veggies you won't bloat up quite the same as you would with say, cake.  I swear to you, cake pounds are twice the work to get off as veggie pounds.

When I'm "possessed," it's with sweets. I've always called my urge to binge my "evil twin." You know, the one who says, "Go ahead and eat it, you know you will in the end anyway."  :(

In my case at least, grazing-style diets where you eat several small meals make it easier to get in this kind of habit. I am trying to stick to three regular meals with controlled 100-calorie snacks. That way I can keep my blood sugar level and never get too hungry, but I don't have license to graze all day.

For meals, it's important to put everything on a plate and sit down to eat it. And don't watch TV or do whatever while you're doing it-- really focus on the meal. People have done lots of studies showing that distracted people eat considerably more calories than people who really focus on dinner. My New Year's Resolution was to eat 2 meals a day at our dining room table, since I usually eat 3 home-cooked meals per day. Obviously I usually eat lunch at work, so I'm trying really hard with dinner and breakfast  (key word-- trying... I suspect this will be my New Year's Resolution again next year!!).

From what you said, it sounds like one of your main problems (and definitely mine!) is really getting it all on one plate. All the grazing while you're cooking adds up, and it's hard to gauge how many calories you've eaten if it's one bite here, two bites there, handful of this, handful of that. So if you want mushrooms with Nayonnaise, put it on your plate and eat it later when you sit down at the table. I know that you know all of this-- after all, it's just common sense-- but it's hard to put it into practice. I do all the exact same things that you mentioned, and I have to constantly remind myself of these things. The binging is emotional, and the only way I know how to fight emotions is with lists and logic, so getting it all on one plate really helps me.

I binge eat like a mofo, and I wish I didn't. Before I know what's happening, I've downed a few hundred calories and feel weighed down and stressed to the point where going to the gym doesn't seem like an option. sad :(

I read somewhere that 50% of vegans have had eating disorders. I am battling my obsession with weight. I had two bouts of anorexia n now im a binger.

The reason why i turned vegan is to show humanity. But i realised the most inhumane thing one can do isnt what he afflicts onto others but the inner conflicts he creates. So next time u feel like a failure, overeating, which triggers you to eat even more, tell urself, "im a vegan, vegans do not allow suffering. Therefore, i shall not do things such as gorging my face off, which would make me hate myself".

Guess its kinda obvious, by the number of replies that you're recieveing that u are not the only one! :)

"We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and dont make peace with ourselves"- Dalai Lama

From what I have read and I am no expert... compulsive behavior is induced though stress, depression and other normal life events.
Heres the scenario, a while ago perhaps while a child, something happened a little traumatic and food was used to easy the transition of this event. The brain is pretty remarkable, it builds on patterned memory. The event is etched deeper and deeper with every occurrence.
While I think it normal to learn this way, it can take an unhealthy turn, obsessive or compulsive.
Its really up to you to decide weather it might be something you need help managing. And by the looks of the post, thats the case.

Its fairly hard to reprogram these deeply grooved memories and instances that are reacted to. I feel a great step is to be aware of them, be in tune with yourself and takes steps to reprogram. While 10 step processes work for some, they don't work for all. Understanding friends and support groups are indeed helpful. I do little exercises, that seem trivial, but work. For example, list why you are stressed, depressed ect. list  the causes. Second column, list effects and third alternative solution. Implement.

My turn:

-My friend picked up there dog a day late, they were in town, dog was out of food, it had been a month of dogsitting, I was 'done'.
The dog is not as well 'behaved' as my two, it was a full house for the month, not to mention my new job.

-Slight anxiety as I had other plans, dont like it when friends flake on me and feelings being taken advantage of.

-My friend is overall flaky, fails to call, typically shows up a day early or day late. My choice to accept it.  I need to put my foot down on bigger issues. Have some tea, jump on vegweb ; ) (If it were warmer and not dark out i would have jumped on my bike).

Hope this is helpful.