What is Orthorexia? The Warning Signs of Eating Disorders
What is orthorexia? Orthorexia is an eating disorder very similar to anorexia nervosa (please check out anorexia symptoms when you're done here), but with a slightly different twist. It is when someone has an unhealthy obsession with being healthy - which includes the food they eat. This eating disorder often leads to a low body weight due to an extreme avoidance of certain foods or ingredients that the person deems "unhealthy." Orthorexia nervosa is technically translated to mean "correct appetite" whereas anorexia nervosa is translated to mean "without appetite."
Are there signs someone has orthorexia?
Absolutely. Please keep in mind, however, that there is no diagnostic criteria for the eating disorder orthorexia. It is simply a term that is used to explain this obsession with healthy food and to distinguish it from anorexia as such.
Discuss the health benefits (or lack thereof) of food frequently
Obsess about whether food is healthy or not
Strictly avoids certain foods - even many foods
Strictly avoids certain ingredients in foods
Labels artificial ingredients as dangerous or potentially poisonous
May avoid animal products, including dairy
Overly concerned about how food is prepared, to the point of washing food obsessively
Tend to have an obsessive personality
Takes a lot of supplements and herbal remedies
Is obsessed about the relationship between health issues and food - how food affects certain conditions such as allergies, asthma, etc. (but this goes beyond the normal concern a person may have over this relationship)
Is afraid to eat out (because of lack of control over food prep and ingredients)
Is highly judgmental of those who do not follow the same strict guidelines
Is obsessed with thoughts of food and food planning
Feels guilty if not able to strictly follow the rules
Is often anxious or depressed
May be socially isolated
Eating Disorders can really take over every part of your life. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, you can recover. Get help now. If you want, eating disorder help, please contact me. You don't have to do this alone.
