TITLE

Orthorexia: The Eating Disorder Doctors Can’t Diagnose

DESCRIPTION

This is a fascinating article that begins with a case history of a woman who would now be diagnosed with ORTHOREXIA.   The article discusses her journey from obesity, dieting, and developing orthorexia.  From the article:   “Bratman (researcher listed in article) created a self-test for orthorexia, which has spurred other diagnostic tools but has not been well-validated by studies, and in 2015 helped draft proposed diagnostic criteria defining it as an obsession with healthy eating that leads to consequences such as malnutrition, mental distress, social isolation and poor body image. Unlike anorexia, orthorexia is typically motivated by ideals of health, purity or virtue, rather than weight loss, according to Bratman’s definition.”  The article details the problems caused by Orthorexia, its course of development, and possible treatments.   This article can be used along with understanding the BioPsychoSocial approach to behavior, eating disorders, Health Psychology, Positive Psychology, as well as treatment and CBT.

SOURCE

Time,  January 2, 2020, by Jamie Ducharme

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://time.com/5756757/orthorexia-clean-eating/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=time-health&utm_content=20200110

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/rulw8lj

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•In general, what is an eating disorder?   What are the commonly known and diagnosed eating disorders?

•What is Orthorexia?   What are the symptoms?  What are the treatments?

•How does Orthorexia differ from the other better known eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia for example)?

•What makes Orthorexia difficult to diagnose?