Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with “pure” or “clean” eating. Although not formally recognized in the DSM as a distinct eating disorder, it can lead to restrictive or rigid dietary behaviors that negatively impact physical health and social functioning.
Key Points:
- Signs & Symptoms: Excessive focus on food purity, cutting out multiple food groups, anxiety or guilt about “unhealthy” choices, and potential malnutrition.
- Overlap with Other Conditions: Sometimes co-occurs with obsessive-compulsive disorder or other disordered eating patterns (e.g., anorexia, bulimia).
- Consequences: Social isolation, interference with normal routines, obsession and anxiety around food sources/ingredients, nutrient deficiencies.
- Treatment: Similar to other eating disorders—CBT or other forms of therapy addressing obsessive thoughts, perfectionism, and underlying emotional issues.
