What is Orthorexia?
Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterised by an obsession with eating foods that are considererd healthy, pure, or clean It often starts as a genuine attempt to live healthily but gradually turns into a fixation, where the quality and purity of food become paramount. Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia primarily concerns the types of food rather than quantity, leading individuals to impose strict, punishing restrictions on their diet.
What are the symptoms of Orthorexia?
Orthorexia is a condition characterised by a preoccupation with healthy eating. It manifests through various physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. Individuals with orthorexia can become so fixated on the concept of ‘clean’ eating that they often limit their diet to a narrow range of ‘acceptable’ foods, leading to nutritional deficiencies and physical health problems.
Physically, symptoms may include noticeable weight changes, either loss or gain, due to the restrictive nature of their diet. Nutritional deficiencies are common, as the diet may lack essential vitamins and minerals, leading to issues like anemia, weak bones, and a compromised immune system. Individuals might experience fatigue, dizziness, or concentration problems due to insufficient caloric or nutrient intake.
Behaviorally, those with orthorexia spend excessive amounts of time planning, researching, and preparing meals. They may exhibit high levels of distress when ‘safe’ foods are not available or when they perceive that their dietary practices have been compromised. This often leads to social isolation as individuals decline social invitations or avoid situations where they cannot control their food.
Psychologically, orthorexia is marked by an obsessive focus on healthy eating that takes precedence over other interests and activities. Individuals may display anxiety, guilt, or intense fear related to food and eating. Despite these overwhelming feelings, they might express a sense of superiority over others based on their dietary choices, a defense mechanism to justify their rigid eating patterns.
The rigidity in eating habits often extends to other areas of life, leading to perfectionistic tendencies and a need for control. Despite the physical and emotional consequences, individuals with orthorexia find it challenging to break free from their self-imposed rules, fearing the loss of identity or control associated with their eating habits.
Understanding the multifaceted nature of orthorexia is crucial in recognising its impact on an individual’s life. It requires a compassionate approach to treatment, focusing on restoring a balanced relationship with food and addressing the underlying emotional and psychological drivers of the disorder.
Find out how I can support orthorexia recovery
From working through recovery yourself to 1:1 coaching. I can help you find your authentic self.
How does orthorexia affect me?
Orthorexia, while rooted in the pursuit of health, can paradoxically lead to various detrimental effects on an individual’s life, spanning physical, psychological, and social domains.
Orthorexia can also be very closely linked with Exercise Addiction.
Physically, the rigorous and restrictive dietary rules can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies. The limitation of food intake to what is perceived as ‘clean’ or ‘ultra-healthy’ often excludes essential nutrients, leading to conditions such as anemia, osteoporosis, or a weakened immune system. The body’s normal functioning is compromised, resulting in fatigue, weakness, and a higher susceptibility to illnesses.
Psychologically, orthorexia consumes the individual’s thoughts and energies, leading to an unhealthy obsession with food. This can escalate into severe anxiety and stress, particularly around meal times or situations where food choice is out of the individual’s control. The constant preoccupation with dietary purity and the fear of deviating from self-imposed food rules can result in feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy, significantly impacting mental health and leading to conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Socially, orthorexia can be isolating. The strict dietary restrictions often make it challenging to eat out or share meals with others. Individuals may avoid social gatherings to maintain control over their food intake, leading to withdrawal and loneliness. Relationships can be strained as family and friends struggle to understand the extent of the individual’s fixation with healthy eating. The condition can also lead to a decrease in performance at work or school due to the distraction and energy spent on food-related thoughts and activities.
The pursuit of a ‘perfect’ diet can overshadow other interests and activities, leading to a diminished quality of life. The individual’s identity and self-esteem may become overly tied to their eating habits and perceived healthfulness, making any disruption to their routine feel like a personal failure.
What are the signs of orthorexia?
- Obsession with food quality and purity
- Extreme guilt or stress over food choices
- Avoidance of social events to comply with dietary restrictions
- Significant amount of time spent thinking about and preparing specific types of food
- Feelings of superiority over others based on dietary habits
- Extreme fear of foods believed to be ‘unhealthy’
- Drastic reduction in acceptable food choices, leading to nutritional deficiencies
- Anxiety or stress around food choices
- Compulsive behavior related to food preparation and eating
- Perfectionism, often extending beyond food
- Mood swings, particularly in relation to food and meal times
- Fear of losing control over one’s diet
- Low self-esteem tied to dietary habits
- Tendency to hide or downplay the extent of one’s dietary restrictions
- Nutritional deficiencies due to a very limited diet
- Unintended weight loss or gain
- Gastrointestinal problems from a restrictive diet
- Weakened immune system
- Disrupted hormonal balance
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Poor concentration or dizziness