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Orthorexia Nervosa Orthorexia Nervosa is not recognized in the DSM-IV. If diagnosed, it would probably fall under EDNOS, or (if weight/menses requirements were met), it might be listed as a symptom of Anorexia Nervosa.
The term Orthorexia Nervosa was coined by Steven Bratman. His website goes into more detail. The following description of the disorder is taken from his website.
What is Orthorexia?
It's great to eat healthy food, and most of us could benefit by paying a little more attention to what we eat. However, some people have the opposite problem: they take the concept of healthy eating to such an extreme that it becomes an obsession. I can this state of mind orthorexia nervosa: literally, "fixation on righteous eating."
Such people are sometimes affectionately called "healthfood junkies." However, in some cases, orthorexia goes beyond a mere lifestlye choice. Obsession with healthy food can progress to the point where it crowds out other activities and interests, impairs relationships, and even becomes physically dangerous. When this happens, orthorexia takes on the dimensions of a true eating disorder, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
Do you wish that occasionally you could just eat, and not think about whether it's good for you? Has your diet made you socially isolated? Is it impossible to imagine going through the whole day without paying attention to your diet, and just living and loving? Does it sound beyond your ability to eat a meal prepared with love by your mother- one single meal- and not try to control what she serves you? Do you have trouble remembering that love, and joy, and play and creativity are more important than food? Have you gotten your weight so low that people think you may have anorexia?
If you recognize yourself in these questions, you might have orthorexia.
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