Orthorexia Nervosa

[Guest guest]

Amy,

 

Thank you for bringing ON to my attention, I didn't even know there was such a

disorder. I did a quick internet search to see what ON is and found the short

article below.

 

To be honest part of it made sense, like spending three hours or more a day

obsessing about what a person eats.

 

But part of it made me angry. " planning tomorrow's menu today " was a symptom.

Wow, then I must really be in trouble! Even when I ate SAD I planned menus a

week in advance to simplify shopping. I will even plan what I am going to WEAR

tomorrow tonight before I go to bed.

 

Maybe that is OCD, but it use to be called being well organized. Flylady is

really in trouble too, since she plans her cleaning routines a week or a month

in advance!!

 

Another symptom that ticked me off was " skipping meals they once enjoyed to

eat the " right " foods. I once enjoyed eating fried onion rings from Burger King

or milk shakes processed in a Styrofoam cup, but now that I know better I don't

eat either one. Since when did enjoyment replace common sense and good

judgment? While we are on the topic of enjoyment, smokers ENJOY smoking but it

sure doesn't make it HEALTHY.

 

The last one that got under my skin was, " Experiencing a reduced quality of

life or social isolation (because their diet makes it difficult for them to eat

anywhere but at home) " Just because the rest of the world eating SAD or some

thing worse does not mean that I should too just for the social interaction. If

everyone jumped off the roof, would you jump too? I would certainly hope not.

 

Overall, I thought the symptoms of ON were EXCUSES not to take responsibility

for your health and well being. I actually believe in balance in all areas of

life, which would include not being obsessed with food regardless of it being

the " right food " or not.

 

Kindest Regards,

Leah

 

 

Eating Disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Orthorexia Nervosa

 

 

Whereas anorexia nervosa is an obsession with the quantity of food one eats, it

is also possible to be obsessed with eating foods of a certain quality.

Orthorexia nervosa, a new term coined by Steven Bratman, M.D., refers to this

obsession with eating " proper " foods. ( " Ortho " means straight and " orexia "

refers to appetite.)

 

While it is normal for people to change what they eat to improve their health,

treat an illness or lose weight, individuals with orthorexia nervosa may take

the concern too far. It is common for individuals who are on diets to be

concerned with what types of food they are eating, but this concern should

quickly decrease as they near or achieve their desired weight.

 

In the case of orthorexia nervosa, people remain consumed with what types of

food they allow themselves to eat, and feel badly about themselves if they fail

to stick to their diet.

 

People suffering from this obsession may display the following signs.

 

Spending more than three hours a day thinking about healthy food

Planning tomorrow's menu today

Feeling virtuous about what they eat, but not enjoying it much

Continually limiting the number of foods they eat

Experiencing a reduced quality of life or social isolation (because their

diet makes it difficult for them to eat anywhere but at home)

Feeling critical of others who do not eat as well they do

Skipping foods they once enjoyed in order to eat the " right " foods

Feeling guilt or self-loathing when they stray from their diet

Feeling in " total " control when they eat the correct diet

 

While orthorexia nervosa is not a formal medical condition, many doctors do feel

that it explains an important and growing health phenomenon. If you think you or

a friend suffers from something that sounds or feels like this description of

orthorexia nervosa, you should visit either a nutritionist or doctor who can

help you.

 

miasouza <amydelfinodesouza wrote: Remember that the hallmarks of

ON (Orthorexia Nervosa)is that it

leads to social isolation and impaired relationships.

Amy

 

 

 

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