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What Is Orthorexia Nervosa?
The term orthorexia nervosa describes an obsession with healthy, “pure,” or “clean” eating.
Research is needed to refine the diagnosis, determine prevalence rates, identify risk factors, and develop treatments.
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Orthorexia nervosa may also cross over withbulimia nervosaandavoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
In contrast, patients with anorexia consciously focus on weight and restrict foods primarily based on calories.
These distinctions in beliefs may be important.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Treatment professionals misunderstanding of the concerns of someone with orthorexia may contribute to treatment failure.
As with other eating disorders, early intervention increases the chance of a complete recovery and minimizes negative consequences.
Counseling is the mainstay of treatment.
Some treatment approaches that may be recommended includecognitive behavioral therapyanddialectical behavior therapy.
Medications such asantidepressants and anti-anxiety medicationsmay also be helpful.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Often, people with eating disorders cannot recognize the power the condition has over them.
They may not even be inclined to speak with a doctor at all.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Dunn TM, Bratman S.On orthorexia nervosa: A review of the literature and proposed diagnostic criteria.Eat Behav.
Presentation at IAEDP Symposium; 2016.
Koven NS, Abry AW.The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: Emerging perspectives.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.
2010;51(1):49-54. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.03.001
Bratman, Steven A.Orthorexia: An update.
2015;56(4):397-403. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2014.03.003
Wilson B.Why we fell for clean eating.The Guardian.
