scholarly journals Orthorexia Nervosa: over concern or obsession about healthy food?

Author(s):  
Caterina Novara ◽  
Susanna Pardini ◽  
Eleonora Maggio ◽  
Sofia Mattioli ◽  
Sara Piasentin

Abstract Purpose Orthorexia Nervosa is characterized by specific behaviors frequently related to other psychopathological conditions, such as Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Eating Disorders (EDs). Whereas ON can mainly be described as an excessive concern regarding healthy food, the study’s principal aim was to investigate if ON could be considered a condition related and differentiated from worry, other than OCD, EDs, perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. Method To achieve these aims, 302 individuals from the general population were enrolled and were divided into two groups named “High EHQ” and “Low EHQ”, based on their Eating Habits Questionnaire’s score (EHQ-21). Results Correlations of ON with EDs and non-adaptive perfectionism constructs emerged independently from Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) symptoms, and the same pattern was observed when comparing the High and the Low EHQ groups. The two groups also differ in the worry anxiety and depression constructs and are not affected by OC symptoms removal. Discussion Our results confirm a relationship between ON with the typical ED, perfectionistic, anxious, and depressive symptomatology, mainly when the OC features are controlled; moreover, worry constructs could be considered characteristic of the ON phenomenology. This study does not entirely exclude the relationship with obsessive and compulsive characteristics, which could be associated with or serve as a mediator of the orthorexic behavior. Future research could explore the potential mediating or collateral role of OC symptoms. Level of evidence Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Author(s):  
Anna Brytek-Matera ◽  
Susanna Pardini ◽  
Justyna Modrzejewska ◽  
Adriana Modrzejewska ◽  
Paulina Szymańska ◽  
...  

Abstract There is limited evidence of a link between Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and no definitive conclusions can be drawn. The interplay between socio-cultural context and ON has been poorly investigated as well. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: (1) to investigate the differences in ON and OCD symptoms and (2) to assess the relationship between ON and OCD symptoms among university students. Six hundred and sixty-six university students participated in the present study: 286 from Poland and 320 from Italy. No age, gender and marital status differences were identified between two samples of university students. However, on average, Polish university students had a higher Body Mass Index than Italian ones. Our findings showed that Polish students present more problems related to obsessive symptomatology, core beliefs of OCD, perfectionism traits, and a major ON symptomatology than Italian ones. Also, Polish students with a higher level of ON exhibited higher levels of OCD symptoms and parental expectations/parental criticism. While Italian students with a higher level of ON showed higher levels of perfectionism features (organization and concern over mistakes). In general, correlations were low as confirmation of partial independence ON from OCD symptoms and core beliefs of OCD in both Polish and Italian university students. The present results highlight a need for further investigation of the correlates of ON across different cultural groups. Future research may screen individuals with ON to determine the comorbidity between ON and OCD symptomology to facilitate appropriate treatment choices. Level of evidence Level V, Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne M Cosh ◽  
Jemma Olson ◽  
Phillip J. Tully

Abstract PurposeOrthorexia Nervosa (ON) is characterised as obsessional healthy eating that results in malnutrition and/or psychosocial impairment. Yet, its diagnostic classification remains uncertain, with theoretical overlap with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This study aimed to further understand appropriate diagnostic classification by assessing the ability of ON for detecting the presence/absence of AN and OCD.MethodAn observational survey was completed by 362 participants recruited through eating-disorder, dieting and mental health support groups. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analyses determined the predictive ability of ON symptoms (assessed by ORTO-15 and ORTO-9) for detecting AN (determined by EAT-26 cut-scores and BMI >17.5), and OCD and Obsessional thinking (assessed by the OCI-R).ResultsResults showed both ON measures are able to adequately predict AN, however ON was poor to moderate at detecting OCD and Obsessional thinking. Specificity for detecting AN was poor and ability to discriminate between AN and ON was low.ConclusionThese results suggest that ON, as it is currently measured, may be more closely related to EDs than OCD, and that ON may represent a subtype or subset of AN; although results are limited by the lack of definitive ON diagnostic criteria and limitations of ON measures.Level of evidence – Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study


Author(s):  
Jordana Muroff ◽  
Abigail Ross ◽  
Joseph Rothfarb

While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy are “gold standard” treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), complementary and alternative treatments are frequently sought for anxiety disorders. The purpose of this chapter is to review and discuss the available research on the application, efficacy and effectiveness of complementary and alternative methods for treating OCD. The first section identifies and reviews studies focusing on specific alternative and complementary treatments that are independent from, or work in conjunction with CBT, such as yoga, herbal remedies, motivational strategies, and bibliotherapy. The second section discusses alternative and complementary methods of more mainstream CBT and related techniques, with a particular focus on technology-supported approaches. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the methodological issues in the existing research on complementary and alternative methods in the treatment of OCD, questions for future research, and implications for providers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel González-Panzano ◽  
Luis Borao ◽  
Paola Herrera-Mercadal ◽  
Daniel Campos ◽  
Yolanda López-del-Hoyo ◽  
...  

Abstract: Mindfulness and social cognition skills in the prediction of affective symptomatology in schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and nonclinical participants. The aim of the study was to investigate significant predictors of affective symptomatology in schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and healthy controls. The sample was of 91 participants who completed the following instruments: the Eye Test (emotional recognition), the Hinting Task (theory of mind), the Ambiguous Intentions and Hostility Questionnaire(AIHQ; attributional style), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI; empathy), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS; mindfulness trait), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form(FFMQ-SF), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). Significant predictors of affective symptomatology were: mindfulness (dispositional or trait mindfulness, nonreactivity and nonjudgment), and social cognition (SC) (attributional style and theory of mind). Mediation analysis showed that theory of mind was the only significant mediator of affective symptomatology. This paper shows the role of mindfulness and SC skills in the prediction of affective symptomatology.Keywords: mindfulness, social cognition, theory of mind, affective symptomatology, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder.Resumen:El objetivo del estudio fue investigar predictores significativos de sintomatología afectiva en Esquizofrenia (EZ), trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) y controles no clínicos. La muestra fue de 91 participantes que completaron los siguientes instrumentos: Eyes Test (reconocimiento emocional), Hinting Task (teoría de la mente), Ambiguous Intentions and Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ; estilo atribucional), Índice de Reactividad Interpersonal (IRI; empatía), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS;mindfulness rasgo), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (FFMQ-SF), y Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Los resultados mostraron que el mindfulness (mindfulness rasgo, no reactividad y no juicio) y la cognición social (estilo atribucional y teoría de la mente) fueron predictores significativos. Los análisis de mediación señalaron la variable de teoría de la mente, como único mediador significativo de la sintomatología afectiva.Los resultados de este estudio señalan el papel de las habilidades de mindfulness y cognición social en la predicción de sintomatología afectiva.Palabras clave: mindfulness, cognición social, teoría de la mente, sintomatología afectiva, esquizofrenia, trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
Ángel Rosa-Alcázar ◽  
José Luis Parada-Navas ◽  
María Dolores García-Hernández ◽  
Sergio Martínez-Murillo ◽  
Pablo J. Olivares-Olivares ◽  
...  

Background: The main aim was to examine changes in coping strategies, anxiety and depression in obsessive–compulsive and schizophrenia patients during COVID-19, in addition to controlling the influence of intolerance to uncertainty and experiential avoidance. Method: The first time, the study comprised (15–30 April 2020) 293 patients, 113 of whom were diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder, 61 with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls, aged 13–77 years (M = 37.89, SD = 12.65). The second time (15–30 November), the study comprised 195 participants (85 obsessive–compulsive patients, 42 schizophrenic patiens and 77 healthy controls participants). The evaluation was carried out through an online survey. Results: The clinical groups worsened over time in cognitive coping, anxiety and depression, while the control group only worsened in depression. Intergroup differences in anxiety, depression and coping strategies were maintained, highlighting the use of some maladaptive strategies (avoidance, spiritual) in clinical groups. Experiential avoidance and tolerance for uncertainty mainly affected coping. Conclusions: The duration of COVID-19 not only produced changes in anxiety and depression in clinical groups but also in coping strategies to face this pandemic and its consequences.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  

The purpose of the article was to provide an overview of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and related measures that have been examined in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The current review focused on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that evaluated three broad outcome domains: functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and OCD-related symptoms. The present review ultimately included a total of 155 unique articles and 22 PROMs. An examination of the PROs revealed that OCD patients tend to suffer from significant functional disability, and report lower HRQoL than controls. OCD patients report greater symptom severity than patients with other mental disorders and evidence indicates that PROMs are sensitive to change and may be even better than clinician-rated measures at predicting treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the measures reviewed lacked patient input in their development. Future research on PROMs must involve patient perspectives and include rigorous psychometric evaluation of these measures.


Author(s):  
Damian Mellifont

The inclusivity of neurodiversity conferences is a new field of research. Utilising Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as an example, this study aims to critically investigate issues of inclusivity in the flyers advertising these conferences. This exploratory research is informed by 22 conference flyers and 14 scholarly articles retrieved from respective internet and Google Scholar enquiries. These articles offered evidence-based justifications for a greater inclusion of OCD-focused content in neurodiversity conferences. The study cautions that the lack of explicit inclusion of OCD as a topic among conferences can be harmful to persons who identify with this particular type of neurodivergence. This study offers a sound base from which future research focusing upon other forms of neurodivergence and issues of neurodiversity conference inclusivity and intersectionality can develop.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel R Chamberlain

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) now have their own category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Disorders currently classified as OCRDs are obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), excoriation (skin picking) disorder, hoarding disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder. Collectively, the OCRDs are prevalent, cause considerable functional impairment, and are often overlooked by clinicians. This review surveys current definitions and diagnosis of OCRDs, highlighting recommended assessment tools, differential diagnoses, and medical issues. The heritability of OCRDs is examined, based on available twin data, along with implicated genetic factors. Neurobiological understanding of OCRDs is outlined, focusing on dysregulation of habit generation and top-down response control corticostriatal pathways. The review then highlights evidence-based treatments for OCRDs, which differ considerably between individual disorders. Treatment guidance includes descriptions of target medication doses and therapy content. Lastly, limitations in the current knowledge base for OCRDs are reviewed, with implications for future research directions. This review contains 1 figure, 7 tables, and 40 references. Key words: compulsivity, dopamine, glutamate, impulsivity, screening for OCD, serotonin 


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 205520761988217
Author(s):  
Susan Thorpe ◽  
Alexander Bolster ◽  
Nick Neave

While the hoarding of physical objects has been extensively explored, there is little research relating to the hoarding of digital materials. The research that has been conducted suggests that digital hoarding (DH) behaviours appear to have some similarities with physical hoarding (PH) behaviours, and can be just as psychologically distressing. This study uses the framework of the cognitive behavioural model of PH to explore DH behaviours, including possible similarities regarding emotional attachment to digital possessions, and possible links with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and indecisiveness. For the study, 282 participants completed an online survey which measured levels of digital and physical hoarding, compulsive acquisition, OCD, indecisiveness and mood. Strong emotional attachments to particular types of digital possessions were evident: this was especially true for photographs and videos. Significant positive relationships were found between all the variables measured. However, a regression analysis revealed that only OCD and PH scores were significant predictors of DH. DH thus appears to share some of the features of PH. Implications, limitations and future research possibilities are discussed.


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