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Can you really have a diet that is too healthy? Yes, there is a point at which the desire to eat healthy turns into a disorder called orthorexia. It has been characterized as a "fixation on righteous eating" and usually develops when people are concerned over quality to the exclusion of all else, possibly to the detriment of their own health. According to California doctor Steven Bratman, many are raw foodists, vegans, fruitarians or have habits so unusual, they is not yet an official name, as in one case Bratman came across where the patient was "committed to eating only yellow foods." Some people may only eat skinless chicken and other completely plain foods, for example, but basically it is manifested as trying to eliminate anything that could be considered "toxic" and people with the problem constantly revise and restrict their diets. It seems to be social wellbeing that suffers the most, as Bratman reported that many orthorexics rarely get out and spend their time being consumed by thoughts of what their next meal will be, sometimes refusing to spend time with others and avoiding restaurants.
In 2004, the University of Rome conducted a study that indicated as many as 6% of people could have the condition in some form, but it is not yet accepted as a disorder in its own right, largely because the milder forms are socially acceptable. But the diet can overlap with anorexia in its more severe forms, where all food is eventually classified as "toxic" by the afflicted patient, so doctors and who are studying it are working to get it recognized so that treatments can be developed to prevent the progression of the disorder.
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10-13-2006 @12:19PM Cowboy_X said... they is not yet a usual name?
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10-13-2006 @9:26AM Gina said... Duck, the drug companies are at it again!
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10-26-2006 @12:58PM M-L said... Actually, I'm pretty sure a close friend of mine is falling prey to this. She is OBSESSED with food. It's taken over a year for me to realize this, and this article really put a finger on it for me. She stopped hanging out with us, only talks about what she has or will (or won't) eat, has lost at least 25-30 pounds (that's not unhealthy in her case, but the social symptoms Dr. Bratman discusses are certainly true in this case) and just has generally become a different person.
Now, how do I help my friend?
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11-18-2006 @9:55PM Lara said... This has a NAME??? I love how everything becomes a diesease or disorder. This is just some form of obbession/compulsion/anxiety/addiction. The manifestation is focusing intensely on healthy food. If we keep labeling all of these things then we give ourselves a whole lot of work and get off track... If someone has this problem you want to find out where they are 'broken,' not make a pill that cures ORTHOREXIA -
Sheesh!
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10-27-2006 @4:33PM molly said... We need to keep this in perspective. I don't think the doctors and others researching this disorder are looking for a pill to fix it, folks. The point is that just like all other maladaptive behavior, researchers want to find out what kinds of TREATMENT would help people like this. TREATMENT includes a myriad of types of therapy and skill-based trainings, media and literature, etc.
The point of this article is simply exposing another increasingly common pattern which is and can negatively affect the individual and therefore needs to be researched... addiction is addiction whether to "healthy" substances or not.
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11-03-2006 @2:49PM beckah said... To all those morons bitching that this is just another ruse for the drug companies--- I read the article and there was not ONE WORD about pills or shots or whatnot to cure orthorexia.
Fucking morons.
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12-23-2006 @6:18AM crzygurl said... LOL! now as much as i hate how society labels every quirky thing people do a "disorder", i have to admit this article brings me some comfort. i say this only because i am certain i have this orthorexia thing, and now i can prove to my family & friends that i am not the only one. however, i don't think it's any great mystery. with all the pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, additives, preservatives, and processed foods it is easy to see how any health conscious person can become obsessed. there's so much disgusting stuff added to even vegetarian foods it ridiculous. and as a former waitress i can honestly say i wouldn't eat in a restaurant if you paid me. so i think it's basically a case of ignorance is bliss. we just know too much for our own good.. :(
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