It is hard to imagine nutritious eating ever being considered problematic. But when an interest becomes an obsession, the pressure to make healthful choices may prove dangerous to one’s well-being. Orthorexia nervosa, a term that literally means “fixation on righteous eating,” is a disorder characterized by extreme or excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods thought to be unhealthy.
Sufferers of orthorexia often display obsessive-compulsive behaviors regarding preferences about the foods they are eating and avoiding. As with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, this troublesome relationship with food can lead to anxiety, stress, severe malnutrition, and in rare cases even death. Although the American Psychiatric Association does not recognize orthorexia as a mental disorder, it is still used as a diagnosis by some physicians and registered dietitians who have documented harmful consequences of the illness.
One clue that ‘healthful’ eating habits may be an unhealthy obsession is if they interfere with the individual’s social life. A person with orthorexia spends a lot of time thinking about and planning their food; the lack of control associated with eating outside of the home causes anxiety and may be avoided altogether.
Bottom Line: In today’s society, dedication to fitness and healthy eating is celebrated, and following a healthy diet and eating mindfully does not indicate one has orthorexia. However, when eating habits take up a significant amount of time and attention or straying from a specific food regimen causes extreme guilt and self-loathing, orthorexia may be present. When healthful choices produce anxiety, stress and obsessive behaviors, a multidisciplinary treatment approach may be warranted.
Sufferers of orthorexia often display obsessive-compulsive behaviors regarding preferences about the foods they are eating and avoiding. As with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, this troublesome relationship with food can lead to anxiety, stress, severe malnutrition, and in rare cases even death. Although the American Psychiatric Association does not recognize orthorexia as a mental disorder, it is still used as a diagnosis by some physicians and registered dietitians who have documented harmful consequences of the illness.
One clue that ‘healthful’ eating habits may be an unhealthy obsession is if they interfere with the individual’s social life. A person with orthorexia spends a lot of time thinking about and planning their food; the lack of control associated with eating outside of the home causes anxiety and may be avoided altogether.
Bottom Line: In today’s society, dedication to fitness and healthy eating is celebrated, and following a healthy diet and eating mindfully does not indicate one has orthorexia. However, when eating habits take up a significant amount of time and attention or straying from a specific food regimen causes extreme guilt and self-loathing, orthorexia may be present. When healthful choices produce anxiety, stress and obsessive behaviors, a multidisciplinary treatment approach may be warranted.
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