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Do you or someone you know strongly focus on consuming only healthy food? Learn about orthorexia and find help to stop this behaviour.
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia is a term used to describe an unhealthy focus on eating extremely healthy food. The problem behaviour involves being centred on the quality of the food. People with orthorexia are obsessed with eating foods that they consider clean or extraordinarily healthy and may avoid large groups of foods that they perceive as unhealthy or unclean. This obsession can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, social isolation and a severely reduced quality of life.
Is orthorexia a diagnosis?
Dr. Steven Bratman first recognized orthorexia as a condition in the 1990s. Although it is not officially recognized as a diagnosis in the major diagnostic manuals, such as DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), awareness and discussion of the condition have increased.
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What causes orthorexia?
Orthorexia is caused by a combination of factors, including psychological traits such as perfectionism and the need for control, social and cultural influences from society’s focus on health, and idealized representations on social media. Personal experiences related to food and diet, as well as environmental factors where a healthy lifestyle is highly valued, also impact it. Biological factors such as genetic predisposition may also play a role.
Orthorexia is a complex condition that affects both physical and emotional health, and treatment should address the underlying causes, often through psychotherapy and nutritional counselling.
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What are the symptoms of orthorexia?
People with orthorexia exhibit an obsession with food quality and spend an excessive amount of time thinking about and preparing food that they consider healthy. They limit their diet to a tiny group of ‘allowed’ foods and avoid foods considered unhealthy or ‘unclean’, which can lead to social isolation as they avoid social situations involving food. Feelings of anxiety, guilt or stress arise if they deviate from their strict diet, and physical problems such as nutritional deficiencies may occur due to the restricted diet.
The obsession with healthy food can reduce quality of life as other interests and activities are neglected. They vigorously defend their dietary choices and have difficulty accepting different points of view or scientific evidence that contradicts their beliefs. This extremely health-conscious attitude can result in ill health when it leads to restrictive eating habits, emotional distress and social isolation, making it essential to seek professional help if these symptoms affect you or someone you know.
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Treatment of orthorexia
Treatment for orthorexia aims to restore a healthy relationship with food and to address the psychological aspects behind the problem. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), helps individuals identify and change the thought patterns that contribute to unhealthy behaviours, while Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) focus on accepting thoughts and feelings and promoting self-compassion.
Nutritional counselling is central to developing a balanced diet plan that covers all dietary needs without being restrictive. Medical supervision may be necessary for people whose orthorexia has led to nutritional deficiencies or other medical problems. Support groups and possibly family therapy can also offer valuable support and guidance during recovery. The treatment process is often long-term and requires an individualized plan that addresses nutrition and psychological needs to promote a healthy relationship with food and body image.
12 FAQs about orthorexia
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia is a term used to describe an unhealthy focus on eating extremely healthy foods.
Is orthorexia a diagnosis?
Orthorexia is not officially recognized as a separate diagnosis in the major diagnostic manuals such as DSM-5 or ICD-10, but awareness and discussion of the condition are ongoing.
What causes orthorexia?
Orthorexia is due to a combination of factors, including perfectionism and the need for control, social and cultural influences from society, personal experiences related to food and diet, and environmental factors where a healthy lifestyle is highly valued also have an impact. Biological factors such as genetic predisposition may also play a role.
What are the symptoms of orthorexia?
Individuals with orthorexia show an obsession with eating only foods they consider healthy, leading to strict dietary restrictions and social isolation. This fixation causes nutritional deficiencies, anxiety about dietary deviations and a significant negative impact on quality of life.
How can orthorexia be treated?
Orthorexia can be treated with different methods, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Nutritional counselling is vital, and other medical problems may require medical supervision.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that aims to change negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that contribute to mental illness.
Is orthorexia an eating disorder?
Orthorexia is not a formal diagnosis but could fall into the category of anorexia and bulimia, although it has a different expression. Whether orthorexia is an eating disorder is still a matter of scientific debate.
Are you addicted to exercise when you have orthorexia?
No, you don’t have to be addicted to exercise. The problem is mainly focused on food and its content.
I have a strong need to check that my food is healthy and it is affecting my life, what should I do?
If you feel that your behaviour is causing problems, you can seek treatment to get more help breaking the pattern.
My partner has an intense obsession with healthy food. What can I do?
If someone close to you has a problem that you think may be related to orthorexia, you can bring it up with them. It isn’t accessible if they don’t want to change, but you can refer them to a health professional for more support.
Can you get therapy online?
It is possible to get treatment online, at Lavendla all our psychologists and therapists work digitally.
Where can I seek help?
We recommend contacting a licensed psychologist or therapist if you want to seek therapy. You can book a first appointment with one of our therapists here at Lavendla. We make the hard things easier.
Treatment with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Treatment approaches can differ between different schools of therapy. This is what a treatment can look like with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is a method that can be used for many different problem areas and conditions:
1. Understanding and assessment
The first step focuses on understanding the problem and accepting that seeking help is okay. A psychologist can help you assess your situation based on your life situation. You can also fill out assessment forms.
2. Psychoeducation and objectives
You will learn about the problem and how it affects you physically and mentally. Understanding what is happening in your body, thoughts, and feelings is essential. It also involves setting goals for treatment.
3. Tools to change behaviours and patterns
This works on identifying and changing thinking patterns linked to the problem. It will help you develop a more nuanced picture, increase your ability to manage emotions and thoughts, and change behaviours. You will explore situations with your therapist and learn how to deal with them. You will also be given homework to practice between sessions.
4. Follow up and evaluate your progress
Your psychologist will support you throughout the process. At the end of the treatment, you will also receive a plan to continue practising and maintain your progress over time. Feel free to book your first session with a psychologist or therapist to see how we can help you.
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