Disordered Eating, Dubious Diagnoses, and Autoimmune Disease with Abbie Attwood

OCD & Orthorexia

The intersection of OCD tendencies and orthorexia is heavily influenced by wellness culture, as Abbie Attwood explains. She describes how the allure of wellness norms can drive individuals into obsessive behaviors, particularly those with OCD, leading them to rigid dietary protocols and alternative medicine. This obsession is not only dangerous but also exacerbates chronic illnesses due to the stress and hypervigilance it creates 1.

It was such a precarious place to be, to feel like every choice you made could make or break your health.

--- Abbie Attwood

Christy Harrison adds that wellness culture often pushes individuals into a cycle of fear and hope, making them susceptible to dubious diagnoses like adrenal fatigue and leaky gut 2.

   

Managing Anxiety

Managing anxiety alongside chronic health challenges is a complex journey, as Abbie Attwood shares. Her experiences with severe anxiety and OCD began in her youth, influenced by her identity as an athlete and her struggles with health conditions. This led her into a disordered relationship with food and exercise, as she sought control over her anxiety through rigorous routines 3.

I was really obsessed with breathing, and I couldn't stop focusing on my breathing.

--- Abbie Attwood

The onset of multiple chronic illnesses further complicated her mental health, driving her towards disordered eating behaviors as she attempted to manage her symptoms through diet 4.