Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

Orthorexia Nervosa | Eating Disorder - Differential Diagnosis


Differential Diagnosis of Orthorexia Nervosa

How Different Is it From Anorexia

At first glance, there seems to be little difference between orthorexia and anorexia. However, there are many differences; the biggest one being that an orthorexic is not consumed by thoughts of being "thin" and losing weight. Also, somebody with anorexia (or bulimia, for that matter) focuses on the quantity of food, whereas an orthorexic concentrates on the quality. Anorexia literally means “absence of appetite.”

Orthorexia is not as common as anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Anorexic and bulimic patients are aware of the quantity, whereas orthorexics are aware of the quality of food. It is usually young adults who are subject to these eating disorders. Women are more prone to these disorders as they are obsessed with food in a form that men are not. “In my past experience of eight years, I have come across a lot of patients who are obsessed with a healthy diet but not to the extent of being termed orthorexic. But, of course, though new, orthorexia is making its presence felt,” adds Dr. Anjali Chabria.

Advertisement