Have you been diagnosed with Orthorexia? Or do you feel like you have all the symptoms? Not sure what to do next or how to cope?
This article will help you understand a little more about what Orthorexia is, who it happens to, and what you can do to manage it.
What is Orthorexia? Orthorexia has been defined as an unhealthy focus on eating in a healthy way. This may sound fine on the surface; after all, eating healthy is good, right? But as people who suffer with this debilitating condition know, the psychological and practical implications can be broad and life-changing.
Orthorexia includes eating habits that reject certain foods for not being “pure” enough. Often, people with orthorexia will avoid entire meals that don’t meet their internal standards or that they don’t personally make themselves.
There are some similarities between Orthorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and Anorexia Nervosa. All three involve food and control.
Orthorexia suffers may:
Avoid eating food prepared by others (including eating in a restaurant) out of fear that it isn’t clean enough.
Worry about food safety, quality or cleanliness, to the point of anxiety.
Fear getting sick from food you eat.
Fear losing control. You may feel that even just one ‘wrong’ meal could be disastrous.
Although anyone can get an eating disorder, there are certain risk factors that can raise your chances of developing one, including:
Having a close relative with an eating disorder, constant dieting or Type 1 Diabetes
Perfectionism, a history of anxiety or dissatisfaction with your body
Family trauma that goes back generations, being teased or bullied about your weight, or buying into the idea of a ‘perfect’ body
If you or someone you love may be suffering from Orthorexia, there is hope and help available. There are several practical steps you can take to help yourself. These could include:
Exposure therapy. Although it may sound scary, research has shown that the more you are exposed to the situation(s) that causes you anxiety, the less it will upset you.
Cognitive reframing. This can help you pinpoint the thoughts and actions that cause you anxiety and helps you replace them with more balanced, less rigid ones.
Behavior modification. This can help you to truly understand the results of your actions so you can more consciously choose your behavior.
You may be reading this with a combination of hope, fear, anxiety, and defensiveness. You are not alone.
Eating disorders are very common and they do not mean you are a bad person or that you have somehow failed. Generally, they mean that you are an extremely conscientious, self-aware and empathetic person who wants to please others and who has high standards for themselves. These qualities are by no means bad or wrong; they can actually have a positive impact on you and others.
However, the problem begins when your mind starts to lose balance with these things and the result is harmful behavior that can end up having the opposite effect than the one you want on you and your loved ones.
There is hope and expert, caring help is available. At Inside Wellness, Utah, our trained, compassionate counselors have chosen to specialize in eating disorders. We can help you find the tools and techniques that will work for you, and we will support and guide you every step of the way.
If you’re ready to get help with your Orthorexia, schedule your private consultation now with our care coordinator. Simply click here and choose the day and time that work for you.
We’re looking forward to meeting and helping you on your journey to true health!