For some people, ‘healthy’ eating can turn into a dangerous eating disorder known as orthorexia.  Orthorexia is characterised by an obsessional preoccupation with a ‘healthy’ diet.  It is the relative new kid on the block in terms of eating disorders and we aren’t exactly sure how many people suffer with orthorexia as it has yet to be included in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – the American mental health diagnostic criteria the UK often follows).

People with orthorexia have a very restricted group of foods they will eat, often growing more extreme over time. Alarmingly, in today’s society which promotes healthy eating, orthorexia can be very well hidden and sufferers may go unnoticed.

So if you are finding healthy eating is becoming a big part of your life, here are 5 signs that it may be getting out of hand.

Whilst orthorexia shares some common symptoms with anorexia and bulimia such as food fixation, restriction and fastidious planning and preparation, it is less concerned with weight loss and more focused on a misguided aim to ‘eat healthily’. Orthorexia can be just as overpowering and difficult to treat as other disorders, but we know less about it.

If you are concerned about your or someone else’s eating habits, seeking help early is vitally important to getting it successfully treated. Eating disorders are amongst the most difficult to treat, catching them early really makes a difference.

Clinical Partners have a nationwide team of private psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists who are able to help treat eating disorders. You can talk, in confidence, to someone today about how we can help by calling 0203 326 9160 or using the contact us form to request a call back.