Symptoms of Orthorexia
Do you, or someone you care about, suffer from Orthorexia? This is an anxiety and obsession about healthy eating. The problem with it is, it creates so much fear that it causes the flight or flight response which impacts the body’s digestive system which further feeds into the need for “healthier” and “healthier” eating to overcome the issues it in itself creates. Here are some of the symptoms you may recognise:
- Eliminate nutrients in a quest for health, eg gluten, dairy, fats, carbohydrates
- Will often be vegetarian or vegan
- Have very strict food rules
- Anxiety and obsessive behaviours around achieving a “healthy diet”
- Sense of self is wrapped up in these rules
- May participate in “detoxes” and “cleanses” as a “health-kick”
- Feel impure or suffer guilt if they deviate from their rules
- May become malnourished, with or without weight loss
- Can lead to anorexia nervosa
The Dangers of Orthorexia and the Need for Professional Help
Just to make life more complicated, people can move from one eating disorder to another and the wrong kind of treatment can lead to other significant health problems. This is why working with a professional is so very important: each disorder carries their unique challenges and require different approaches.
If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from a orthorexia or any other eating disorder it is very distressing. It can severely impact your/their self-esteem, social life, relationships and, last but not least, health.
Eating disorders can persist for years untreated, during which time they take a stronger hold. The longer they are left untreated, the more stubborn they are to treat and the longer it takes to recover. So, early intervention will serve you better.
Recovery from Orthorexia
What is most important is to work to ensure recovery, not just in the short-term but for life. This will entail changing the relationship with food, restoring weight (if appropriate), nutritional rehabilitation, psychological support, developing life skills so that the disorder is not the point of refuge in times of challenge. Maintenance and lapse-prevention are also significant factors. In addition, helping to develop a life outside of the disorder will be an important part of recovery.
In treatment you can expect to be guided and supported through the eating disorder, feeling heard and understood, so you come out the other side stronger, wiser, more confident and healthier, both mentally and physically.
Professional Help for Orthorexia
As a Master Practitioner of Eating Disorders and a nutritionist, I have been working with individuals, from teenagers to adults, for many years. I use an integrative approach, empowering sufferers to have a healthy relationship with food, develop insight into the condition, what is keeping them stuck and help them move beyond it, step by step, feeling safe and supported.
Recovery requires professional help. If you want help for eating disorders, do pick up the phone for a free, no-obligation chat to find out how I can help you. I can be reached on 0345 130 0854. Or you can get in touch here.