Healthy Eating Gone Wrong: The Hidden Dangers of Orthorexia
Ever noticed someone who seems a bit too obsessed with eating healthy? They might be struggling with orthorexia, an eating disorder that's becoming more common. This condition involves an unhealthy fixation on consuming only "healthy" foods, which can lead to serious problems.
The Signs and Risks
People with orthorexia often avoid entire food groups, not because of allergies or cultural reasons, but because they believe these foods are harmful. This can result in:
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Digestive issues
- Social isolation
The problem is, since eating healthy is generally seen as a good thing, it's hard to spot the signs of orthorexia. Friends and family might even praise the person's eating habits, making it difficult for them to realize they have a problem.
Who's at Risk?
Orthorexia isn't officially recognized in the DSM-5, the handbook for diagnosing mental disorders. This makes it challenging to determine exactly how many people are affected. However, studies suggest that it might be more common in certain groups, such as:
- Athletes
- Nutrition students
- Social media users
The Mental and Emotional Toll
The condition can also have serious mental and emotional consequences. People with orthorexia often feel:
- Shame
- Guilt
- Fear around food
They might avoid social situations where they can't control what they eat, leading to social isolation. The stress and anxiety caused by this eating disorder can significantly impact their quality of life.
The Role of Diet Culture and Social Media
Orthorexia often starts with the goal of eating the healthiest foods possible. However, this goal doesn't exist in a vacuum. Diet culture and social media's promotion of "clean eating" and other harmful dietary practices may contribute to the rise of orthorexia. These platforms often spread misinformation about food, leading people to make unhealthy choices based on inaccurate information.
How to Spot Orthorexia
So, how can you tell if someone is simply eating healthy or dealing with an eating disorder? Look for rigidity. If a friend is:
- Dividing foods into black and white categories
- Cutting out entire food groups
- Avoiding certain restaurants
- Bringing their own food
- Refusing to eat altogether if they can't access a food they're okay with
These could be signs they're dealing with something deeper.
Seeking Help
If you think you or a loved one might be struggling with orthorexic behaviors, it's important to talk to a therapist. Since orthorexia is not an official diagnosis, there isn't a set of clear clinical criteria to determine whether a person has it or not. However, if you're exhibiting any of the above behaviors, it's likely a sign that you could be dealing with orthorexia.
Working with a licensed therapist and a dietitian can help you navigate this eating disorder. Therapists might use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you:
- Get back to the basics
- Make sure all food groups are represented in your diet
- Work on breaking down some of the ideas you might have about what makes something "healthy."
A dietitian can help make sure you're adequately nourishing your body, all while helping you fight misinformation you might have internalized about food.
