Orthorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with healthy eating. People with Orthorexia become so preoccupied with the quality of their food that they eventually lose weight and may become malnourished.
Causes and Risk Factors for Orthorexia
An eating disorder may strike anyone at any time. Though the causes and risk factors differ from one individual to the next, they may be divided into three categories:
Biological: Having an eating disorder in a close relative, a history of dieting, or type I diabetes.
Perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, or a history of anxiety are all psychological factors to consider.
Being mocked or bullied about your weight, having experienced familial trauma that transcends generations (as Holocaust survivors have), or believing in the concept of a “perfect” body are all examples of social/cultural factors.
Symptoms
While there are no formal diagnostic criteria for Orthorexia, the disorder is typically diagnosed based on the following symptoms:
- An obsession with healthy eating
- A preoccupation with the quality of food
- A need to eat only “pure” or “clean” foods
- Avoidance of foods that are perceived to be unhealthy
- Extreme restrictions on food intake
- A focus on the health benefits of food
- An obsession with healthy cooking methods
- A need to eat only organic or locally grown food
- Excessive exercise
- A preoccupation with body weight and shape
- A fear of gaining weight
- Disturbed body
How is it different from other eating disorders?
Orthorexia is different from other eating disorders in that it is driven by a desire to be healthy rather than to be thin. People with Orthorexia may obsess over the quality of their food and need to eat only pure or clean foods. They may also avoid foods that are perceived to be unhealthy, and extreme restrictions on food intake are common.
Who is most likely to develop Orthorexia
Orthorexia is not formally recognized as a mental health disorder, but it is estimated that around 1% of the population may have the condition. Orthorexia is more common in women than in men and tends to occur in people already preoccupied with their health and fitness.
People with Orthorexia often start with the best intentions, but their obsession with healthy eating can quickly spiral out of control. They may become so restrictive in their food choices that they become malnutrition and may also develop other eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
Orthorexia can be very harmful to physical and mental health, and it’s essential to get help if you or someone you know is struggling with the condition.
The dangers of Orthorexia
Orthorexia Nervosa is a dangerous and often misunderstood eating disorder. An obsession with healthy eating characterizes it, and sufferers often go to great lengths to ensure that their diet is as “pure” and “healthy” as possible. While Orthorexia may start as a harmless way to improve your health, it can quickly become a dangerous addiction.
The dangers of Orthorexia include:
Excessive restriction of food intake can lead to malnutrition or even starvation.
A focus on the health benefits of food can lead to an unhealthy obsession with food and nutrition.
Avoidance of foods that are perceived to be unhealthy can lead to a distorted view of nutrition and an unhealthy fear of certain foods.
An obsession with healthy cooking methods can lead to an unhealthy focus on food preparation and an excessive need for cleanliness.
A need to eat only organic or locally grown food can be expensive and difficult to obtain.
– Excessive exercise can lead to injuries or even death.
A preoccupation with body weight and shape can lead to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
Treatment for Orthorexia
The key is to know that while eating nutritious foods is beneficial, how you go about doing so is harmful. You’ll have to teach yourself to think about it differently.
Your doctor may recommend mindful eating practices if you believe you have an unhealthy connection with food. Orthorexia is a relatively new term, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating the disorder. However, some of the most common treatment methods include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT can help orthorexics learn to identify and challenge their unhealthy thoughts and beliefs about food.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy can help orthorexics explore the underlying causes of their eating disorder and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Nutritional counseling: Nutritional counseling can help orthorexics learn about healthy eating habits and develop a balanced diet.
- Group therapy: Group therapy can provide support and guidance from others dealing with Orthorexia.
- Family therapy: Family therapy can help orthorexics heal their relationships with their loved ones.
- medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to treat underlying conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Exposure and reaction prevention: The more you’re exposed to the anxiety-inducing environment, the less it will bother you.
Understanding the negative consequences of your behaviors to modify what you’re doing is called behavior modification.
Cognitive restructuring, also known as cognitive reframing, is a technique for identifying stress-inducing behaviors and beliefs and replacing them with less rigid ideas and actions.
Breathing exercises, guided relaxation, and other types of relaxation training
Orthorexia is a term used to describe a disorder characterized by an obsession with healthy eating. People with Orthorexia may be preoccupied with food quality and often avoid foods that they perceive to be unhealthy. They may also have extreme restrictions on their food intake and focus on the health benefits of food. In some cases, people with Orthorexia may only eat organic or locally grown food. Orthorexia can also involve excessive exercise and a preoccupation with body weight and shape.
Resources for Those Suffering from Orthorexia
- The National Eating Disorder Association
- Healthy Place
- Recovery at Every Scale
- Aimee Raupp – Denver-based registered dietitian and keto expert, featured on The Doctor Oz Show and Good Morning America
- Dr. Robert Lustig, MD of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and author of “Sugar: The Bitter Truth,” talks about overeating sugar.
Conclusion
Orthorexia Nervosa is a relatively new term coined in the 1990s to describe an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. People who suffer from Orthorexia become so preoccupied with eating pure and “healthy” foods that they eventually lose touch with reality and may forego important social activities or meals with friends and family members to maintain their strict dietary routine. While there is no single cause of Orthorexia, it is often associated with perfectionism and extreme fear of being poisoned. If orthorexia becomes extreme, you need to consult a psychiatrist.