The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives

Nancy S Koven, Alexandra W Abry Department of Psychology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA Abstract: Orthorexia nervosa describes a pathological obsession with proper nutrition that is characterized by a restrictive diet, ritualized patterns of eating, and rigid avoidance of foods believed to be...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Koven NS, Abry AW
Formato: article
Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Dove Medical Press 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/87d97f2706744c47bfaf844c1a086d08
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
id oai:doaj.org-article:87d97f2706744c47bfaf844c1a086d08
record_format dspace
spelling oai:doaj.org-article:87d97f2706744c47bfaf844c1a086d082021-12-02T03:42:15ZThe clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives1178-2021https://doaj.org/article/87d97f2706744c47bfaf844c1a086d082015-02-01T00:00:00Zhttp://www.dovepress.com/the-clinical-basis-of-orthorexia-nervosa-emergingnbspperspectives-peer-reviewed-article-NDThttps://doaj.org/toc/1178-2021 Nancy S Koven, Alexandra W Abry Department of Psychology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA Abstract: Orthorexia nervosa describes a pathological obsession with proper nutrition that is characterized by a restrictive diet, ritualized patterns of eating, and rigid avoidance of foods believed to be unhealthy or impure. Although prompted by a desire to achieve optimum health, orthorexia may lead to nutritional deficiencies, medical complications, and poor quality of life. Despite its being a distinct behavioral pattern that is frequently observed by clinicians, orthorexia has received very little empirical attention and is not yet formally recognized as a psychiatric disorder. In this review, we synthesize existing research to identify what is known about the symptoms, prevalence, neuropsychological profile, and treatment of orthorexia. An examination of diagnostic boundaries reveals important points of symptom overlap between orthorexia and anorexia nervosa, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and psychotic spectrum disorders. Neuropsychological data suggest that orthorexic symptoms are independently associated with key facets of executive dysfunction for which some of these conditions already overlap. Discussion of cognitive weaknesses in set-shifting, external attention, and working memory highlights the value of continued research to identify intermediate, transdiagnostic endophenotypes for insight into the neuropathogenesis of orthorexia. An evaluation of current orthorexia measures indicates a need for further psychometric development to ensure that subsequent research has access to reliable and valid assessment tools. Optimized assessment will not only permit a clearer understanding of prevalence rates, psychosocial risk factors, and comorbid psychopathology but will also be needed to index intervention effectiveness. Though the field lacks data on therapeutic outcomes, current best practices suggest that orthorexia can successfully be treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and medication. Keywords: orthorexia nervosa, diagnosis, psychometrics, neuropsychology, endophenotypes, treatmentKoven NSAbry AWDove Medical PressarticleNeurosciences. Biological psychiatry. NeuropsychiatryRC321-571Neurology. Diseases of the nervous systemRC346-429ENNeuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Vol 2015, Iss default, Pp 385-394 (2015)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
RC321-571
Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
RC346-429
spellingShingle Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
RC321-571
Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
RC346-429
Koven NS
Abry AW
The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
description Nancy S Koven, Alexandra W Abry Department of Psychology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA Abstract: Orthorexia nervosa describes a pathological obsession with proper nutrition that is characterized by a restrictive diet, ritualized patterns of eating, and rigid avoidance of foods believed to be unhealthy or impure. Although prompted by a desire to achieve optimum health, orthorexia may lead to nutritional deficiencies, medical complications, and poor quality of life. Despite its being a distinct behavioral pattern that is frequently observed by clinicians, orthorexia has received very little empirical attention and is not yet formally recognized as a psychiatric disorder. In this review, we synthesize existing research to identify what is known about the symptoms, prevalence, neuropsychological profile, and treatment of orthorexia. An examination of diagnostic boundaries reveals important points of symptom overlap between orthorexia and anorexia nervosa, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and psychotic spectrum disorders. Neuropsychological data suggest that orthorexic symptoms are independently associated with key facets of executive dysfunction for which some of these conditions already overlap. Discussion of cognitive weaknesses in set-shifting, external attention, and working memory highlights the value of continued research to identify intermediate, transdiagnostic endophenotypes for insight into the neuropathogenesis of orthorexia. An evaluation of current orthorexia measures indicates a need for further psychometric development to ensure that subsequent research has access to reliable and valid assessment tools. Optimized assessment will not only permit a clearer understanding of prevalence rates, psychosocial risk factors, and comorbid psychopathology but will also be needed to index intervention effectiveness. Though the field lacks data on therapeutic outcomes, current best practices suggest that orthorexia can successfully be treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and medication. Keywords: orthorexia nervosa, diagnosis, psychometrics, neuropsychology, endophenotypes, treatment
format article
author Koven NS
Abry AW
author_facet Koven NS
Abry AW
author_sort Koven NS
title The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
title_short The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
title_full The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
title_fullStr The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
title_full_unstemmed The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
title_sort clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives
publisher Dove Medical Press
publishDate 2015
url https://doaj.org/article/87d97f2706744c47bfaf844c1a086d08
work_keys_str_mv AT kovenns theclinicalbasisoforthorexianervosaemergingnbspperspectives
AT abryaw theclinicalbasisoforthorexianervosaemergingnbspperspectives
AT kovenns clinicalbasisoforthorexianervosaemergingnbspperspectives
AT abryaw clinicalbasisoforthorexianervosaemergingnbspperspectives
_version_ 1718401678689959936