by VK Freelance

Created on: July 08, 2009   Last Updated: July 09, 2009

Orthorexia nervosa

Orthorexia nervosa is a lesser known eating disease, the term was coined Steven Bratman, an MD. It comes from the greek Othos meaning correct or right and orexis for appetite and the word is modeled on the better known eating anorexia meaning without appetite.

The sufferer has an unhealthy obsessions with eating right, the obsession could be connected to an anxiety disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or exist on its own.

They become obsessed with only eating healthy foods, and avoiding 'foods' such as fats, animal products, preservatives, anything considered unhealthy by the sufferer.

Such dietary restrictions can cause malnutrition and emaciation of the victims, and even death. It is believed that this condition is as serious as anorexia, but the motivation is very different. Whilst an anorexic wants to be thin and lose weight, a sufferer of Orthorexia only wants to be healthy and 'pure.' It is often hard to distinguish between the two so many that suffer from Orthorexia may be misdiagnoses as anorexic, when the treatment is quiet different.

Despite the clear symptoms, it is not an official medical diagnosis.

It is defined as a "maniacal obsession for healthy foods" with patterns often similar to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, with set eating times and foods that they label as 'bad, unhealthy, impure'. For diagnostic criteria there are 2 questions to be asked outright, 'Do you care more about the virtue of what you eat than the pleasure you receive from eating it?'... 'Does your diet socially isolate you?' Obviously the answer to these questions could be positive in anyone simply following a diet plan, or trying to lose any weight, so further diagnostic criteria must be imposed. The following signs are just some of those displayed by someone with Orthorexia:

Spending a lot of time thinking about healthy food

Getting a feeling of control when they stick to their plan

Planning what you will eat tomorrow right down to every bite

A feeling of guilt or self-hate when they stray from their plan

Having a list of food that is 'bad' and 'good'

Having a feeling of virtue about the food they eat but not actually enjoying it

Expressing criticism to those that do not follow their life style

Avoiding eating meals with food they once enjoyed

The obsession with healthy eating can destroy the lives of those that suffer from Orthorexia, destroying their relationships, consuming their thoughts, stopping them from doing activities that they enjoy or going out and eating with others, just like many other eating disorders and because they don't get all the necessary requirements to feed their bodies, they often become malnourished.

Sometimes however Orthorexia can simply be a psychological issue rather than a physical problem, just because someone isn't really thin, doesn't mean they don't suffer from this problem, the thoughts and obsessions can be much internalized.

Orthorexia is healthy eating out of control, it is limiting the foods you can eat to a small handful, even if it means going hungry. So how can this be treated? The control needs to be loosened; introducing foods back into the diet that had been 'banned' before, one food at a time, until the sufferer can eat a wide and varied diet of healthy foods and treats and feel happy with their bodies.

Any eating disorder can be very serious, it is always important to seek help if someone you know or you think you may be suffering from one.

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