What is Orthorexia Nervosa

What is Orthorexia Nervosa?

Orthorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an unhealthy obsession with “clean” or “healthy” eating. Though often disguised as a wellness-focused lifestyle, orthorexia can lead to severe physical and emotional consequences due to rigid food rules and restrictive behaviors.

While not officially recognized in the DSM-5, orthorexia is increasingly acknowledged by professionals and treated with the same care as other eating disorders. It often involves anxiety, guilt, or shame around food, and may lead to social isolation or malnutrition.

5 Signs & Symptoms of Orthorexia

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Obsessive Focus on Healthy Eating

A compulsive desire to eat only foods deemed “pure” or “clean” can lead to the elimination of entire food groups and nutritional imbalances. This preoccupation often results in anxiety around eating and rigid control over meals.

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Food Anxiety and Guilt

Extreme guilt or distress can arise when deviating from self-imposed dietary rules, even slightly. This emotional response often triggers self-punishment, further restriction, or increased control over future meals.

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Nutritional Deficiencies

Despite good intentions, overly restrictive diets may deprive the body of essential nutrients. This can lead to fatigue, weakened immunity, hormonal imbalances, or other long-term health complications.

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Social Isolation Due to Food Beliefs

People may avoid social events or meals with others due to fear of eating something considered “unhealthy” or non-compliant. Over time, this isolation can lead to loneliness, anxiety, or worsening disordered eating patterns.

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Inflexible Food Rules

Strict adherence to self-created food guidelines can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. These rules often become difficult to break, increasing rigidity and stress around eating.

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

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Treatment Options for Orthorexia Nervosa

  • Medical & Nutritional Stabilization

    Clients receive medical monitoring to address any physical health complications caused by restrictive eating. The focus is on restoring balanced nutrition and stabilizing vital signs to support long-term recovery.

  • Therapeutic Intervention

    We use evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to challenge obsessive food-related thoughts. These interventions help reframe distorted beliefs and reduce anxiety around eating.

  • Meal Support & Nutritional Counseling

    Registered dietitians provide structured meal support and exposure to feared foods. Nutritional counseling aims to reduce food rigidity and increase dietary variety without guilt or fear.

  • Family Involvement

    We engage family members in the healing process through therapy and education. Strengthening the support system helps create a healthier environment and improves outcomes for long-term recovery.

  • Aftercare Planning

    Our team works closely with clients to develop an individualized aftercare plan that supports ongoing healing. This includes referrals, relapse prevention strategies, and access to continued therapy or support groups.

  • Body Image & Identity Work

    Clients explore the connection between self-worth, appearance, and control through guided therapy sessions. This helps build self-acceptance and reduce dependence on restrictive eating for validation or identity.

  • Mindfulness & Stress Management

    Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, and breathwork are introduced to reduce anxiety and increase awareness of emotional triggers. These tools support emotional regulation and create space between thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

  • Education & Psychoeducation

    Clients and families receive information about orthorexia, nutrition, and the psychological roots of disordered eating. Understanding the condition is key to breaking the cycle and fostering lasting change.

Client Testimonials

Luxury Treatment for Orthorexia Nervosa

Virtue Recovery offers a discreet and luxurious environment where clients can begin healing from orthorexia in comfort and privacy. Our serene settings are thoughtfully designed to reduce stress and foster emotional safety, allowing individuals to focus entirely on their recovery journey.

We combine the highest level of clinical care with world-class amenities, including private accommodations, chef-prepared meals, and therapeutic wellness experiences. With a focus on whole-person healing, our luxury treatment programs address the physical, emotional, and psychological components of orthorexia to promote lasting recovery.

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Our Las Vegas Luxury Inpatient Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment Center

Our Las Vegas inpatient treatment center provides 24/7 care in a structured and supportive environment. Here, clients receive individualized treatment plans that combine medical monitoring, nutritional counseling, and therapy to address the physical and emotional aspects of compulsive overeating.

This facility is designed to help individuals step away from daily stressors and immerse themselves fully in recovery with a dedicated care team available around the clock.

Our Las Vegas Outpatient Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment Center

For individuals who do not require inpatient care or who are transitioning back into daily life, our Las Vegas outpatient center provides flexible treatment options.

Outpatient programs allow clients to receive structured therapy, nutritional counseling, and group support while continuing to live at home. This level of care is ideal for those balancing recovery with work, school, or family responsibilities.

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Our Las Vegas Adolescent / Teen Inpatient Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment Center

At Virtue Recovery, we recognize that compulsive overeating and other eating disorders affect teens differently than adults. Our Adolescent / Teen Inpatient Eating Disorder Program is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of young people and their families.

Our teen program combines medical monitoring, therapeutic support, and nutritional counseling with age-appropriate strategies that foster resilience, confidence, and healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment

While not yet classified in the DSM-5, it is increasingly recognized by professionals and treated alongside other eating disorders due to its serious health implications.

Clean eating is typically a flexible approach to wellness, whereas orthorexia involves rigid rules, anxiety, and guilt that disrupt daily life and health.

Yes. Despite focusing on “health,” orthorexia can lead to malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, and social isolation due to extreme dietary restrictions.

Effective treatment includes therapy (CBT, DBT), nutritional counseling, medical care, and holistic support. Virtue Recovery offers personalized, evidence-based programs.

Glossary of Terms for Orthorexia Nervosa Treatment

An eating disorder involving an obsessive focus on healthy eating.

Lack of essential nutrients due to restricted food intake.

Therapy focused on identifying and changing unhealthy thought patterns.

Therapeutic support during meals to reduce food-related anxiety.

The ability to eat a wide range of foods without distress.

Treatment that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

A strategy to support long-term recovery after treatment.

24/7 clinical care in a residential setting.

Guidance from registered dietitians to establish balanced eating habits.

Anorexia Nervosa

Virtue offers medically supervised treatment for individuals struggling with severe food restriction, body image distortion, and extreme weight loss associated with anorexia.

Bulimia Nervosa

Comprehensive care is provided for those experiencing cycles of bingeing and purging, helping them restore physical health and emotional balance.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Treatment focuses on addressing obsessive behaviors around “clean” or “healthy” eating that interfere with daily functioning and well-being.

Binge Eating

Individuals receive therapeutic support to overcome compulsive overeating and emotional eating patterns that impact mental and physical health.

Compulsive Overeating

Virtue’s approach helps clients manage chronic overeating behaviors linked to stress, trauma, or emotional triggers.

Rumination Disorder

Specialized therapy is offered for the repeated regurgitation of food, often tied to anxiety or developmental concerns.

Laxative Abuse

Care targets both the physical effects and underlying psychological issues related to the misuse of laxatives for weight control.

Diabulimia

Integrated treatment supports individuals with type 1 diabetes who manipulate insulin for weight loss, addressing both eating disorder and medical risks.

Body Dysmorphia

Treatment involves cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce obsessive thoughts and distorted self-image tied to body appearance.

OSFED

A flexible, individualized treatment plan is developed for those whose symptoms don’t fit neatly into other diagnostic categories.

ARFID

Virtue helps clients expand their food choices and overcome fear-based or sensory-related food avoidance.

UFED

Clients receive personalized care for disordered eating patterns that require clinical attention but lack a specific diagnosis.

Special Eating Disorders

We provide tailored treatment for less common or overlapping eating disorders that fall outside standard diagnostic categories.

Dual Diagnosis

Our integrated approach addresses both eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions for complete, whole-person healing.

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