(Oxford) Diploma : Mental health - eating disorder therapy

🍃 Unlock the Secrets of Healthy Eating: A Deep Dive into Orthorexia Nervosa

🚀 Course Title: Oxford Diploma in Mental Health - Eating Disorder Therapy: Orthorexia Nervosa

🌍 Your Instructors: Chris Sivewright & Johana Alandete

🤝 About Your Instructors: Chris Sivewright brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of mental health. Johana Alandete, while not a medical professional, shares her deeply personal journey with orthorexia nervosa, offering unique insights from a lived experience perspective. Her narrative is powerful and informative, blending scientific research with real-world understanding.

📚 Course Overview: This course delves into the complex and often misunderstood realm of orthorexia nervosa - an obsession with healthy eating that becomes a detriment to one's mental and physical health. We explore the nuances of this condition, its psychological impact, and the societal influences exacerbating its prevalence, particularly among those who pursue clean eating, veganism, vegetarianism, or maintain an active lifestyle.

🔍 What You'll Learn:

• Understanding Orthorexia Nervosa: Learn about this eating disorder, its diagnostic challenges, and why it hasn't been officially included in the DSM-5 yet.
• Impact on Lifestyle: Discover how orthorexia nervosa can affect individuals who are vegan, vegetarian, fitness enthusiasts, or athletes, and the psychological toll it takes.
• Social Dynamics: Examine the role of social media and digital platforms in shaping body image and self-worth, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
• Personal Stories: Gain profound insights through Johana Alandete's personal journey with orthorexia nervosa, including her experiences with isolation, guilt, binge eating, and the toll it took on her mental health.
• Therapeutic Strategies: Explore effective therapy and intervention strategies to manage and treat orthorexia nervosa, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery.

📈 Key Points:

• Orthorexia nervosa is an emerging eating disorder with symptoms that may include social withdrawal, extreme anxiety about food purity, and nutritional deficiencies.
• The condition can manifest in various forms, often coexisting with other eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.
• Orthorexia affects individuals who are conscious of their diet's cleanliness, calorie content, and macronutrient composition.
• The disorder can lead to severe depression, anxiety, and a breakdown in personal relationships.

🤫 Johana's Perspective: Through her articles on "Asunto de Mujeres" (Women Affairs), Johana Alandete provides an intimate look at living with orthorexia nervosa. Her journey highlights the importance of recognizing signs, seeking help, and understanding the psychological impacts of societal pressures on body image and health.

🌱 Why This Course Matters: In a world where healthy eating is celebrated and often idealized on social media, it's crucial to distinguish between a healthy lifestyle and an obsessive one. This course equips you with the knowledge to identify orthorexia nervosa, understand its consequences, and provide compassionate, effective support and therapy for those affected.

Join us on this enlightening journey to unravel the complexities of orthorexia nervosa and pave the way for healing and recovery. Let's break the stigma and offer a beacon of hope to those struggling with this disorder. 🌱✨