ORTHOREXIA
Orthorexia is diagnosed as OSFED as it is not formally recognized in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual as yet. However, it carries the same risks as other eating disorders and will be given attention here. Orthorexia is defined as an obsession with “healthy,” “clean,” or “pure” eating. It usually starts innocently, choosing to eat a healthy diet but intensifies into an unhealthy obsession. Healthy eating isn’t a problem in and of itself, however, fixating on narrowing food choices due to extreme concern about the food can cause malnutrition and serious health problems. Studies have indicated that OCD commonly occurs with orthorexia.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ORTHOREXIA
- The need to check nutrition and ingredient labels
- Escalating restriction of food groups such as cutting out all dairy, gluten, all sugar, going “carb-free” vegetarian or vegan
- Greater amounts of time spent thinking about food
- More concerned about the <strong>quality</strong> of food rather than quantity of food
- Feelings of guilt when straying from strict diet guidelines
- Advance planning of meals for the next day
- Feelings of satisfaction, esteem, or spiritual fulfillment from eating “the right way” or “healthy”
- Having critical thoughts about others who do not adhere to a “clean” diet
- Distancing self from family/friends who don’t have the same attitudes about food
- Avoids eating food bought or prepared by others
- Shows high distress when their “safe” foods are not available
- Increase in consumption of probiotics, herbal remedies or supplements
- Worsening moods and mood swings
- Obsessive concern over the relationship between food choices and health problems
- Irrational concern over washing food or utensils being sterilized
- May or may not include body image concerns