A Story of the “Puritanical-Eater” (Orthorexia Nervosa): A Rare Case Report of How Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Multiple Themes Led to Extremes of Malnutrition

Abstract

Orthorexia Nervosa is a terminology used to describe the combination of obsessive-compulsive disorder adversely affecting eating patterns in the absence of anorexia or bulimia. And unlike their counterparts, these patients are neither focused on losing weight nor are they fettered by their body shape and looks. Although this terminology is yet to be recognized by the American Psychiatric Association with vague criteria to describe this clinical entity, several cases across the world report a similar pattern of presentation. This case report describes one such encounter.