Orthorexia nervosa

Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which individuals have a remarkably strong desire to feed on possible "healthy". The existence of such a disease is often contested and the conventional medicine is not recognized.

Conceptual history

The term orthorexia (from Greek: ὀρθός orthos "right" and ὄρεξις OREXIS " desire ", " appetite " ) was first coined by the American physician Steven Bratman in October 1997 in accordance with the term " anorexia nervosa ". Bratman, who has practiced for many years special diets both in himself and in his patients, have discovered pathological pattern in dealing with the subject of food with him and many like- minded people. Are problematic especially nutrition philosophies with strong ideological component, which promise their followers, for example, protection against all kinds of diseases.

In her influential book, The Blessings of a Skinned Knee (2001), the American clinical psychologist Wendy Mogel has to monitor the habit of many parents feeding their children with Argus eyes and give them to count the bites supposedly healthy food in his mouth as a major cause for named so that children develop eating disorders. For particularly harmful, it considers it when individual foods are not only healthy or unhealthy, but also categorized as morally good or bad. If the Commission takes account the question of a healthy diet for the distinction of good and evil, they will - so criticized Mogel - to substitute religion.

Discussion about a possible disease

Orthorexia is seen as a strong fixation on the selection of " healthy " and avoid " unhealthy " food. Whether it is a disease or merely a " lavish " lifestyle, will have to be judged on how much suffering leads this behavior. Orthorektisches behavior other hand, could be seen as a coping strategy for an underlying more severe eating disorder in the sense of a " gateway drug ". According to this view would be collected and associated with the diagnosis of " severe eating disorder " with a finding of Orthorexia nervosa merely a finding.

Exists also in the case of an independent disease no recognized system for the diagnosis of orthorexia. The following criteria apply as guidelines:

• The fault continues over a prolonged period of time.
• There are significant negative impact on the quality of life of the person concerned, such as social isolation.
• Circles of constant thoughts about food
• Feelings of guilt, if it is deviated from the diet
• Sense of superiority, missionary zeal to convince others of his diet.
• Severe health problems and even death may result.

It is discussed whether the presence of compulsive personality traits is necessary for a diagnosis of orthorexia. The smooth transition from normal to abnormal has much in common with the concept of personality disorders.

While anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder quantitative, the Orthorexia is described as a quality eating disorder.