In a culture that pushes “clean eating” and all kinds of supposedly healthy diets, it makes sense that many people make food choices based on their perceptions of health. And while there is nothing wrong with being interested in nutrition, some people become fixated on healthy eating to the point where it becomes one of their main priorities in life. For some people, this obsession becomes orthorexia.
What is orthorexia nervosa?
Although orthorexia nervosa is not an officially recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5, it is still an eating disorder that deserves help and treatment. Orthorexia is the preoccupation with healthy eating, along with emotional distress around food that is deemed unhealthy, to the point where it causes significant difficulty with functioning at home, school, and work. It is also often tied to having a low mood, which can include depression, anxiety, and poor self esteem.
What are some of the signs and symptoms?
Orthorexia can look different for different people, but it may consist of:
- Spending significant amounts of time checking food labels or researching different food groups or brands
- Having strict dietary rules that often become stricter over time, and feeling intense guilt when these rules are broken
- Refusing to eat foods or food groups deemed unhealthy, and avoiding social events or other scenarios where these foods may be present
- Feeling high levels of anxiety surrounding food choices, and worrying that making the “wrong” food choice will negatively impact your health
- Fear of contracting a disease if certain foods or ingredients are not prepared “properly”
- Feeling bad about yourself and your body after eating certain foods
Is it different from anorexia nervosa?
Although both anorexia and orthorexia are eating disorders that can lead to food restriction, there are several key differences between them. For people with anorexia, weight loss is the primary focus of food restriction, along with fears surrounding gaining weight. While people with orthorexia may also desire to lose weight or have a fear of gaining weight, this is not required for diagnosis, and their main focus is on the nutritional quality of their food. People with anorexia also have a distorted body image, and often do not recognize how serious their condition is. People with orthorexia do not necessarily have a distorted body image – the main focus is on the specific ingredients in their food.
However, both disorders share many similarities, including the possible physical consequences of malnutrition, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors surrounding food, and decreased functioning in other areas of their lives.
How do I know if this is a problem for me?
It can be hard to know when healthy eating has gone too far. Try asking yourself if you need to eat healthy food negatively impacts your ability to focus at work or school, your relationships with your family or friends, or your overall happiness and well-being. When you start to feel like your thoughts and behaviors around food are running your life, it’s time to get some help.
