Orthorexia nervosa through the eyes of psychiatrists: A large population study

Akbaş İ. H., Yıldırım S., Peker O., Güney O., Yıldırım B., Brytek Matera A.

PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH, cilt.1, sa.357, ss.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 357
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116916
  • Dergi Adı: PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Orthorexia nervosa (ON), characterized by an obsessive focus on healthy eating and rigid dietary rules, is not yet

recognized in major diagnostic systems such as the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11. Although healthcare professionals-

especially those in dietetics-show elevated rates of orthorexic tendencies, the perspectives of psychiatrists,

who play a key role in diagnosis and treatment, remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to assess Turkish

psychiatrists’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical experiences regarding ON, as well as their own orthorexic

tendencies. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adult and child-adolescent psychiatrists in

Türkiye. The survey included demographic questions, items on knowledge and attitudes toward ON, clinical

experience with ON symptoms, and the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI). A total of 1067 psychiatrists

completed the questionnaire. Although 84.5% of participants had heard of ON, only 13% rated their knowledge

as “good” or “very good.” The prevalence of ON symptomatology (ONI ≥72) was 0.28%. Psychiatrists commonly

associated ON with obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders, but only half supported its inclusion in diagnostic

manuals. Key challenges in clinical recognition included a lack of clear criteria and significant symptom overlap

with other disorders. Psychotherapy was the most recommended treatment, though difficulties with patient

adherence were frequently reported. Despite growing awareness, ON remains poorly understood and inconsistently

conceptualized among Turkish psychiatrists. The findings underscore a critical need for standardised

diagnostic criteria, clearer clinical definitions, and the integration of ON into psychiatric education and training.

Developing consensus-based guidelines may improve recognition, diagnosis, and management of ON in clinical

settings.