What is Orthorexic behavior?
It is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors concerning healthy eating that includes rigidly following a restrictive “healthy” diet (that the individual believes to be healthy and pure, with strict avoidance of foods believed to be unhealthy) for achieving optimal health (and/or to avoid illness) …
How do you know if you’re Orthorexic?
Signs and symptoms of orthorexia
- Engaging in emotional eating.
- Self-esteem is based on eating healthy foods.
- Increasingly critical and more rigid about eating.
- Feeling as if certain foods are dangerous.
- Feeling guilt or ashamed when unable to maintain diet standards.
What are the five warning signs of orthorexia?
Orthorexia can cause severe anxiety and irrational concern….3. Changes in Mood and Emotional Distress
- Feelings of shame.
- Feelings of guilt.
- Self-loathing.
- Neglecting daily responsibilities.
- Strained relationships with friend and family.
- Isolation.
- Increased levels of distress.
How is orthorexia different from anorexia?
Although both of these disorders are centered around an obsession with food in one way or another, individuals with anorexia nervosa are using food as a way to control their weight and body image whereas individuals with orthorexia nervosa are not concerned about their weight but instead are concerned about how pure …
What causes orthorexia?
Many individuals are pressured to conform to a certain image portrayed in society, which leads to leading causes of orthorexia nervosa; strict dieting, and obsessions about healthy food which can further lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression.
How common is orthorexia?
Since orthorexia is not yet officially classified as a medical condition, it has not been studied as much as other eating disorders. A couple of studies have estimated that orthorexia impacts between 1% and 7% of the general population.