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By: Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C, Eating Disorder & Trauma Therapist  What Is Orthorexia? Orthorexia nervosa is a pattern of disordered eating marked by an intense fixation on eating foods that are perceived as “clean,” “pure,” or “healthy.” Orthorexia goes far beyond balanced self-care. It becomes rigid, all-consuming, and often harmful to both physical and mental health. At this time, orthorexia nervosa is not formally listed as a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). However, the absence of an official diagnosis does not mean the condition is rare or insignificant. In fact, concerns about orthorexia have grown steadily over the past several decades, particularly as diet culture, wellness trends, and social media have increasingly promoted “clean eating,” detoxes, and food rules disguised as health advice. The lack of standardized diagnostic criteria can make orthorexia harder to identify, which may delay appropriate treatment and support. How Orthorexia Compares to Other Eating Disorders Orthorexia shares many features with other eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. Individuals may eliminate entire food groups, follow strict and inflexible food rules, and experience anxiety or distress when those rules are challenged. Weight loss may occur, though it is not always the primary focus. Health complications, nutritional deficiencies, and disruptions in daily functioning are also common. Additionally, body image concerns and a sense of moral superiority or self-worth tied to food choices may be present. It is important to note that just because orthorexia is not officially recognized in the DSM-5 does not make it any less serious. People struggling with orthorexia often experience significant emotional distress, physical consequences, and social isolation. If you suspect that your relationship with food has become rigid or obsessive, you are deserving of care, compassion, and professional help. Common Signs of Orthorexia Nervosa Orthorexia can look different from person to person, but some common signs include:
What Does “Clean Eating” Really Mean? The term “clean eating” is largely a diet culture buzzword with no consistent medical definition. Generally, it refers to eating foods that are considered whole, natural, organic, or minimally processed. This may include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and foods prepared from scratch. The problem arises when foods are morally labeled as “clean” versus “dirty,” “bad,” or “toxic.” This kind of thinking can create unnecessary fear around food and ignores the reality that all foods can fit into a balanced diet (barring genuine medical conditions). No single food determines health, and health itself is influenced by many factors beyond what we eat. Demonizing certain foods often does more harm than good. How Do You Know If You’re Struggling? If you recognize yourself in several of the signs listed above, it may be worth exploring whether orthorexia is affecting your life. A key indicator is not just what you eat, but how much mental space food occupies and how distressed you feel when your eating rules are disrupted. The first step toward support is reaching out to a licensed eating disorder therapist or a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders. These professionals can help assess your relationship with food and guide you toward appropriate treatment. There is also a notable overlap between orthorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The rigid rules, obsessive thoughts about food quality, and compulsive preparation behaviors can resemble OCD patterns. Understanding this overlap can be helpful in determining the most effective treatment approach. Treatment and Recovery Options Orthorexia is treatable, and recovery is possible. Treatment often looks similar to that of other eating disorders and may include a combination of therapeutic approaches. Evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be effective in addressing rigid thought patterns, anxiety around food, and avoidance behaviors. In some cases, medical monitoring may also be necessary to address nutritional deficiencies or other health concerns. Treatment focuses not only on expanding food variety, but also on reducing fear, increasing flexibility, and rebuilding trust with one’s body. The therapists at The Eating Disorder Center are trained in these therapeutic modalities and are dedicated to supporting individuals on their recovery journey from orthorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. If you’d like to learn more, you can explore how Dialectical Behavior Therapy is used in the treatment of eating disorders through this blog post. Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom. 🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy 🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide  Megan Samuels, MSW, LCSW-C (she/her), is an eating disorder and trauma therapist at The Eating Disorder Center. She offers therapy for teens and adults, focusing on the intersection of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, & ARFID, and trauma (including complex trauma and dissociative disorders). Megan uses a blend of relational therapy, EMDR therapy, ego state interventions, DBT, and ACT with clients. She is passionate about providing compassionate and supportive care for folks struggling with an eating disorder and/or complex trauma. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not constitute an endorsement of any specific treatment plan, provider, or service. Information may change without notice. Use of this information is at your own discretion and risk. By: Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center  The overlap between neurodivergence and eating disorders is real, and yet it is still under-discussed in many eating disorder treatment spaces. In our work at The Eating Disorder Center, we see ADHDers struggling with binge eating disorder who have spent years being told the problem is a lack of ‘willpower,’ or motivation. That framing is not only inaccurate, it is harmful. When we understand binge eating through a neuroaffirming lens, behaviors that once felt shameful start to make sense. ADHD brains tend to seek stimulation and dopamine, struggle with time blindness and task initiation, and often experience challenges with interoceptive awareness. Food can become one of the most accessible and reliable ways to regulate emotions, energy, and focus. Add in dieting, restriction, or food rules, and binge eating can quickly become a cycle driven by both biology and burnout. A neuroaffirming approach to binge eating disorder does not try to make ADHDers eat like neurotypical people. Instead, it focuses on working with the brain you have. At The Eating Disorder Center, this is central to how we approach treatment. Below are ten neuroaffirming strategies that can be especially helpful for ADHDers navigating binge eating disorder.
At The Eating Disorder Center, we take a neuroaffirming, trauma informed approach to treating binge eating disorder and other eating disorders. We work with ADHDers across the lifespan and focus on reducing shame, supporting nervous system regulation, and building sustainable recovery tools that actually fit real life. We provide therapy and recovery coaching to clients throughout Maryland, including Rockville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, North Bethesda, and surrounding Montgomery County areas, as well as Northern Virginia communities like Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Vienna, and Great Falls. Our clinicians also serve clients in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Florida, and additional states where we are licensed. If you are an ADHDer struggling with binge eating, you are not broken and you are not failing recovery. Your brain is responding exactly as it was wired to respond. With the right support, full recovery from binge eating disorder is possible! Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation to explore how eating disorder therapy or recovery coaching can help you to find freedom. 🌟 Available in MD, VA, DC, PA, FL, and CA for eating disorder therapy 🌍 Offering recovery coaching worldwide  Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C (she/her), is an award-winning eating disorder therapist and the founder of The Eating Disorder Center, a specialized therapy practice for eating disorders and body image concerns. Jennifer uses ACT, CBT, and DBT to help clients find freedom from eating disorders and body image struggles. Jennifer is recognized as a leading eating disorder expert and was named one of the top professionals in the field by a premier treatment center. She is the recipient of the Best of Bethesda Award for Best Individual Therapist (2025) and the Best of Rockville Award (2020–2024). She helps clients to live full, meaningful lives, beyond food and body image concerns. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington, D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
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The Eating Disorder CenterWe are a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center in Rockville, Maryland.
We also provide eating disorder recovery coaching to people worldwide via Zoom. Click here to book your free 15 minute phone consultation! Phone: 301-246-6856 Email: [email protected] Archives
May 2026
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