Therapy for Orthorexia
What is Orthorexia?
Orthorexia is an eating disorder that is characterized by an obsession to eat “clean” or so called “healthy foods." The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders - fifth edition (DSM-5) does not formally recognize orthorexia nervosa as an eating disorder, however it has been on the rise for decades as new diets have evolved and that there has been more emphasis to eat “clean” or “healthy." Not having a diagnostic criteria can make it difficult for people to be diagnosed and treated with orthorexia nervosa.
Similar to anorexia nervosa, orthorexia nervosa includes restriction of food groups, rigidity around food, potential weight loss, potential health impacts, and body image disturbance.
Note: Just being orthorexia nervosa is not in the DSM-5, does not make it any less dangerous of an eating disorder. Many people struggling with orthorexia nervosa suffer emotional, physical, and psychological consequences as a result of this disorder. If you think you are struggling with orthorexia nervosa, you deserve help and treatment!
From constantly thinking about food and obsessing over ingredients, to anxiety around eating out, to your world shrinking as your food rules expand. Living with orthorexia is exhausting.
If this resonates with you — we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from orthorexia and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for orthorexia in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for orthorexia virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from orthorexia, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Similar to anorexia nervosa, orthorexia nervosa includes restriction of food groups, rigidity around food, potential weight loss, potential health impacts, and body image disturbance.
Note: Just being orthorexia nervosa is not in the DSM-5, does not make it any less dangerous of an eating disorder. Many people struggling with orthorexia nervosa suffer emotional, physical, and psychological consequences as a result of this disorder. If you think you are struggling with orthorexia nervosa, you deserve help and treatment!
From constantly thinking about food and obsessing over ingredients, to anxiety around eating out, to your world shrinking as your food rules expand. Living with orthorexia is exhausting.
If this resonates with you — we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from orthorexia and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for orthorexia in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for orthorexia virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from orthorexia, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Symptoms of Orthorexia:
- Not eating processed or already prepared foods
- Spending a lot of time preparing and measuring foods
- Not eating foods that they have not prepared themselves
- Food rules
- Potential weight loss or lab abnormalities
- Obsession over eating “clean” or “healthy"
- Having a hard time finding something to eat when going out to restaurants
- Believing that self worth is tied to being able to eat “clean” or “healthy”
So, how can we help?
At The Eating Disorder Center we are highly skilled in providing therapy for individuals who are struggling with orthorexia. We help clients to make peace with food, their bodies and ultimately themselves. We will work as part of a treatment team to help you to recover from orthorexia, which may include a physician, dietitian, and/or psychiatrist.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. We also work with clients with orthorexia to expand and challenge their definition of "health." If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from orthorexia.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. We also work with clients with orthorexia to expand and challenge their definition of "health." If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from orthorexia.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia refers to an unhealthy obsession with eating “clean,” “pure,” or “healthy” foods. While wanting to eat well is not a problem, orthorexia becomes concerning when rigid food rules, fear of “unhealthy” foods, and moral judgments about eating begin to interfere with physical health, mental well-being, and daily life.
What are the signs and symptoms of orthorexia?
Signs may include extreme focus on food quality or purity, rigid food rules, elimination of entire food groups, anxiety or guilt after eating “imperfectly,” spending excessive time planning meals, and avoiding social situations involving food. Physical symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies.
How do I know if I have orthorexia?
If thoughts about eating “right” dominate your day, cause distress, or limit your social life, it may be orthorexia. When food choices are driven by fear rather than nourishment or enjoyment, professional support can help assess whether an eating disorder pattern is present.
Is orthorexia a real eating disorder?
Orthorexia is not currently a formal diagnosis in the DSM, but it is widely recognized by eating disorder professionals as a harmful eating pattern that can cause serious health and psychological consequences. Many individuals with orthorexia meet criteria for another eating disorder or related condition.
What causes orthorexia?
Orthorexia can develop from a combination of factors, including diet culture, wellness misinformation, perfectionism, anxiety, history of dieting, or desire for control. Social media and rigid health messaging can also contribute to disordered eating patterns.
What are the health risks of orthorexia?
Untreated orthorexia can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal disruptions, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Over time, rigid food rules can significantly impact both physical health and quality of life.
How is orthorexia treated?
Treatment focuses on restoring flexibility around food, challenging rigid beliefs, addressing underlying anxiety or perfectionism, and supporting nutritional adequacy. At The Eating Disorder Center, care is individualized and designed to help clients develop a balanced, sustainable relationship with food.
Is orthorexia linked to anxiety or OCD?
Yes. Orthorexia often overlaps with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive traits, particularly around control and fear of harm. Addressing these underlying patterns is an important part of effective treatment and recovery.
How do I help someone with orthorexia?
Support begins with empathy rather than confrontation. Avoid criticizing food choices and instead express concern about how their eating affects their health or well-being. Encouraging professional help from an eating disorder specialist can make a meaningful difference.
Can orthorexia be cured? / What does recovery look like?
Full recovery from orthorexia is possible. It involves reducing fear-based food rules, increasing dietary flexibility, improving mental well-being, and reconnecting with food as nourishment rather than a measure of worth. With support, many people achieve lasting recovery.
Therapy for orthorexia, in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of orthorexia in Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Germantown and Olney.
Therapy for orthorexia, in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of orthorexia.