Orthorexia: What it is, causes, symptoms, and treatment options

Orthorexia is a true obsession with healthy food and the obsession with supposed food "poisons." It's also a preoccupation with physical activity taken to the extreme, with constant effort, while keeping a close eye on the calories in each food and on one's ideal weight. Orthorexia (from the Greek orthos, which means right, and orexia, which translates as appetite) is a way to waste and go beyond good eating and physical habits, and transform them into a trap made of maniacal fixations.

Index of topics

What

The man who classified this very modern pathology suffered from it firsthand. Steven Bratman was an English nutritionist who filled his patients' heads with warnings about the supposed toxicity of certain food products. He urged them to delve into the most hidden corners of a label to discover something that could cause harm. Bratman, who coined the term anorexia in 1997, classified men and women who suffer from it as "irregular in excessive regularity." In this sense, anorexia can be compared to other eating disorders, such asanorexia and bulimia, with the substantial difference that the obsession is not with the food that leads to weight gain, but with the food that could cause disease.

Who suffers from it

There are no official estimates on the prevalence of orthorexia, although some studies attribute it to approximately 10 percent of the population. In Italy, there are already 450 people suffering from orthorexia, with a clear prevalence of men (11,3 percent) over women (3,9 percent). And with a ranking of cities that places Milan, Rome, and Turin at the top, in that order: a sign that orthorexia affects the affluent classes more, those typically more attracted to the goal of healthy eating.

Cause

An orthorexic person, whether male or female, is the bearer of an absolute truth. A Bible. And as such, they are very presumptuous. Perhaps because they represent a minority, they feel entitled to be very aggressive: it's difficult and almost useless to contradict them. Furthermore, they have no ability to listen; they won't accept opinions that aren't completely aligned with their own. At least when it comes to food. The causes can be varied, from biological to psychological factors. The most common are:

People with a family history of eating disorders or psychiatric problems may be more predisposed.
There may be alterations in neurotransmitters, such as Serotonin, which regulate mood and eating behavior.
Among the psychological factors: low self-esteem, anxiety and a tendency towards perfectionism.
The fear of gaining weight, and the desire to follow the trends of wellness and obsessive body care.
Traumatic events, such as violence and Bullying.
Excessive pressure at work or school.

Symptoms

The most obvious symptoms of orthorexia concern the patient's approach to food. The orthorexic studies its entire chemical and biological composition as if it were a laboratory object. They shy away from what they deem excessive percentages of fat and sugar. They read labels like a classic 19th-century writer, careful not to miss a word. And they consider themselves experts on the harmfulness and toxicity of each product. The orthorexic becomes enslaved by an obsessive, maniacal relationship with food and eating. People with orthorexia are very strict with themselves, live with feelings of guilt, and constantly try to impose rigid rules of behavior, even at the table. Orthorexics can also spend hours shopping, and tend to decline invitations from friends and family when they have no control over the food offered.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing orthorexia isn't always easy, which is why it's important to always be alert to the early signs of this condition. If in doubt, consult a healthcare professional who can gather information about the patient's eating and behavioral history, asking for details about their attitudes toward food and eating habits. They also assess whether the obsessive attitude toward food interferes with quality of life, social relationships, and physical and emotional health.

Remedies

The first natural remedy is both the simplest and the most complex to implement. It's necessary to get to the root of the problem, since, as we've seen, orthorexia is often linked to disorders such as anxiety, trough or perfectionism: working on these issues can reduce the obsession with food perfection. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing can help manage the anxiety that can fuel the disorder. This disorder is induced in many people by a society in which beauty and physical fitness are seen as a prerequisite for success. In these cases, those who feel uncomfortable with their bodies begin to eat unregulated, convinced they are doing their body good. Instead, they end up becoming addicted to a harmful diet. As with all areas of life, good habits, if overdone, become dangerous, causing numerous problems. To avoid this risk, you must always be careful to consume the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Mediterranean diet, because it's balanced and healthy, is certainly the most effective natural remedy for anorexia. A varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is a good idea. However, if the situation worsens or the obsession intensifies, it's best to consult a specialist and consider a specific treatment for this specific eating disorder, as is the case with bulimia and anorexia.

Therapies and treatments

In the case of therapy, the approach must be multidisciplinary. A psychotherapist can help identify and modify dysfunctional thoughts related to food and health, and develop a healthier relationship with food. The support of an eating disorder specialist can be crucial in addressing food-related anxieties and concerns. The support of friends, family, and self-help groups can also help overcome the isolation that often accompanies orthorexia. Finally, meeting with an experienced nutritionist or dietitian can help restore a healthy dietary balance, teaching people how to manage a varied diet without going to extremes. The goal is to foster a peaceful relationship with food, without demonizing certain foods.

Damages of orthorexia

Aside from the psychological damage, which shouldn't be underestimated, orthorexia also has serious side effects on our physical health. As we've said, it leads to isolation, and not just at the table. This leads to feelings of loneliness and abandonment, even to depression: after all, food is also a natural remedy for promoting a good mood. Then there are the physical damages. Obsessive eating depletes minerals and vitamins (for example, B12, found in many animal fats), weakening bones and the cardiovascular system. This is a truly unnecessary risk, as in the case of orthorexia, it isn't compensated by any pleasure, but only by further suffering that adds to the lack of so many foods.

Prevention

Anorexia prevention includes proper nutrition education, including avoiding exclusions from any food group and encouraging a flexible and balanced approach. It's important to teach the importance of variety, without demonizing or idealizing certain foods. Furthermore, establishing a healthy relationship with food, including the pleasure of enjoying it in company, not with your head in the plate, but perhaps wrapped up in the pleasure of conversazioneFinally, we must learn to resist all the marketing and advertising pressures surrounding food, nutrition, and eating habits. These are areas where natural behavior is always the best defense against any potential disorder.

Orthorexia: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies, and Prevention