Dysorexia

Definition of Dysorexia from the PharmacyDictionary.in

Dysorexia

This term refers to diminished or perverted appetite.

Dysorexia is a term used to describe a condition where there is a distortion of normal appetite or a disturbance in normal eating behavior. This can often be associated with emotional or psychological disorders. It refers to any abnormality or impairment of the appetite, which can be either diminished (reduced) or perverted (deviated from what is considered normal or healthy).

Originally, and in some contexts even now, dysorexia refers to a general disturbance in appetite. This can include:

  • Diminished appetite: This is what you mentioned, where someone has a lack of desire to eat.
  • Perverted appetite: This describes a craving for unusual or non-food items.

However, in the field of eating disorders, the term dysorexia has evolved to describe a broader range of unhealthy eating patterns that don’t meet the strict criteria of specific disorders like anorexia or bulimia. This is the more common usage you’ll encounter today.

Here’s a breakdown of the two main ways “dysorexia” is understood:

  • Original meaning: A general term for any disruption in normal appetite, including both decreased desire to eat and cravings for unusual things.
  • Modern usage in eating disorders: Refers to a spectrum of unhealthy eating behaviors that don’t fit the specific criteria of diagnosed eating disorders. This can include restrictive eating, excessive focus on specific foods or routines, and unhealthy purging behaviors.

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