When Does Healthy Become Unhealthy?
This is one of the most frequent questions I get asked and it’s a great question so many people struggle with themselves or regarding a loved one. Whether we realize it or not, every single day we are flooded with hundreds of messages through social media, TV, radio, billboards, friends, family, (the list goes on) about what is “healthy” to eat and not to eat, how much exercise we should be doing, what supplements we should take, what makeup will make us look 20 years younger or fresh from the beach….It’s completely overwhelming and exhausting!
The way that our society as a whole view's nutrition, exercise, and (lack of) self-acceptance, fuels and almost supports disordered eating. How do we know when our focus to be “healthy” becomes an obsession? When is being “healthy” actually destructive? The term ‘Orthorexia’ is a term (not an official diagnosis) to describe a condition where someone becomes so obsessed with healthy eating that it can affect their well-being. Orthorexia can lead to an eating disorder and should not be taken lightly or ignored.
A few things to ask yourself or your loved one if you’re worried things are getting out of control:
Is my worry to be “healthy” consuming my thoughts during the day where it makes it hard to think about other things?
Do I struggle to actually enjoy eating out with my friends and family because I’m worried about what to order and/or what I ate?
Do I exercise as a way to undo what I ate or so I can feel more comfortable eating?
Have people close to me expressed concern and I haven’t been able to make changes?
I’ve done things to alter my body that I’m not proud of and/or feel ashamed of…
If you answered yes to any of these questions you are not alone.
If you’re ready to take a turn in living a more balanced and healthful life, check out the body positive movement and Health At Every Size (HAES) on Instagram and Facebook as well as NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) for resources, tools, and support.
Whitney Harken,
LSCSW, CEDS-S
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