orthorexia treatment
orthorexia diagnoses and treatment programs
If you or someone you love is overly conscious of eating “pure” foods, to the point of diet affecting your daily life, orthorexia may be the cause. Contact Galen Hope for comprehensive orthorexia treatment programs that identify symptoms and result in thorough treatment.
what is orthorexia?
Simply put, orthorexia refers to an obsession with “healthy” eating of the “right” food. In fact, orthorexia often begins as a desire to eat healthier. Depending on the individual, this could be limiting processed food, or not eating foods that are high in sugar or sodium, or that contain preservatives, animal products, and so on. These choices are often encouraged and supported by family, physicians, and society at large.
Orthorexia is common in individuals who have not fully recovered from their eating disorders. In many ways it can be viewed as a “bargain” with their eating disorder and their treatment team so that they feel less overwhelmed by the demands of treatment. In doing this, they hope to resolve their current eating disorder by replacing it with orthorexia.
Although people around them may see these individuals eating, what they don’t see is that the person continues to eat in a way that is highly driven by rules and labels (good food versus bad food, healthy versus unhealthy foods). These rules continue to create rigidity and often limitations in everyday life that diminish joy, freedom, and flexibility with eating.
This is not an effective outcome, as it leaves the door open for a potential relapse. Replacing a fully symptomatic eating disorder with orthorexia is a partial recovery – and we know that full recovery is possible.
orthorexia symptoms in adults and adolescents
Orthorexia develops when eating healthily progresses into an obsession or extreme preoccupation with what they believe to be healthy eating. Individuals may fixate on details associated with meal prep and nutrition, such as by excluding entire food groups or refusing to eat anything that is not organic.
Orthorexia may also be accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
identifying orthorexia
Orthorexia can be one of the more challenging conditions to identify because, so often, it presents as being very “health conscious.” Who would argue with the idea that taking care of your health is a bad thing? And, how is this an eating disorder? It’s understandable that this may be confusing, but there are clear indicators that a person’s interest in healthy eating may have crossed over into disordered eating.
People with orthorexia are quite rigid about the way they need to eat. While their eating patterns may appear to be based in a certain food philosophy that is popular in our culture, such as vegan, low-carb, or gluten free, the degree to which they adhere to this diet goes way beyond what would be required for their health. (Note: this would not be true for someone who actually has a disease, like celiac disease.)
These individuals may believe that they are preventing future health consequences by being quite strict about what they eat but it interferes with their daily functioning and it can also impair the experience of others who regularly eat with them. Additionally, although they are eating what appears to be 3 meals a day, their food rules are so restrictive and rigid that, over time, they become malnourished. In everyday terms, what clinicians may consider to be a “sub-clinical eating disorder” is actually orthorexia.
One way to know if your beliefs and behaviors related to “eating healthy” have become disordered is to identify whether you experience fear or anxiety when faced with foods that you consider to be unhealthy or off limits. Food is not something that is inherently harmful and the idea that it would cause emotions like this suggests that the thinking around good foods versus bad foods may have become much too rigid. Furthermore, if your need to eat healthy leads you to decline social invitations, prevents you from eating in restaurants, receives complaints or criticisms from others, or if you will only attend events or travel if you can bring your special foods with you, then this has probably reached a disordered level of behavior. In general, if your food rules are interfering with your ability to engage in everyday activities or if they are reducing your ability to fully enjoy your life, this is disordered.
treating orthorexia
The challenge in treating orthorexia centers around our culture, one that is constantly filled with information and messages about the “right way to eat” and often regards individuals with orthorexia as highly health-conscious people who are doing the right thing for their physical well-being. During treatment, then, we begin by examining functional impairment, asking questions such as:
- To what degree does eating this way prevent you from fully enjoying your life?
- Does your current diet and/or restrictions around what you can eat prevent you from being fully present?
- Does deviating from your prescribed diet cause you stress, fear, anxiety, or shame?
If so, this is evidence of orthorexia. Once identified, we educate clients on principles of mindful eating and strategies to help them become more aware of their own thought processes around food, while helping them loosen the grip of disordered eating and live in a more spontaneous and flexible way. This includes building in weekly nutrition education and counseling along with extensive food exposure work in order challenge our clients’ belief systems related to food. They are encouraged and supported by their entire team to explore these beliefs and take risks in order to reduce the burden created by living with intense rules related to food, weight, and eating. Through this education, exposure, and psychotherapy, clients can examine the true roots of this kind of thinking and how it is impacting their experiences today.
what orthorexia treatment might look like at galen hope
1. connect
Connect with us: A compassionate care coordinator will listen and help you take the first step towards healing and moving forward with your life.
2. Collaborate
Collaborate on your treatment plan: Our expert clinical team will design a personalized roadmap based on your goals, needs, and life circumstances.
3. Engage
Engage in our healing community: Participate in a structured, supportive treatment program alongside peers and professionals who understand trauma.
4. Healing
Begin your journey toward lasting healing: As symptoms ease, you will develop skills, insight, and a renewed sense of self to carry with you long after treatment ends.
typical orthorexia clients we work with
Galen Hope serves clients from across the United States and beyond, offering compassionate, expert care to individuals from states like: Florida, New York, Texas, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Washington, Maryland, Virginia, and more. Many clients travel nationally and internationally to receive personalized treatment in our welcoming, supportive environment. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of those seeking deeper healing—no matter where they’re coming from.
At Galen Hope, we work with a diverse range of individuals who are navigating the complex and often isolating experience of orthorexia. Many of our clients are adolescents, teens, college students, and adults who initially pursued “clean eating” or wellness trends with good intentions, only to find themselves trapped in rigid food rules and anxiety. We frequently support high-achieving individuals—professionals, athletes, dancers, and students—whose drive for discipline and perfectionism has become entangled with their relationship to food.
We are especially attuned to how orthorexia can intersect with identity, trauma, and culture. Our care is inclusive and trauma-informed, with deep experience supporting the LGBTQ+ community, Jewish clients, BIPOC and Latinx communities, and survivors of grief and loss. Many of our clients have also experienced trauma, neurodivergence, or identity-related stressors that make traditional treatment approaches feel limiting. At Galen Hope, we create a space where each person’s story is heard, honored, and supported with individualized care.
we invite you here to heal in your own very special way
At Galen Hope, every client is immediately acknowledged as an individual whose story may not be represented by traditional diagnostic criteria. We seek to fully understand their life experience and to provide them with an affirming environment where they feel accepted and supported.
For someone struggling with an eating disorder or mental illness, finding a place in the world, forming connections, developing meaning and purpose in life, and having day-to-day support is vital to better outcomes, long-term health, and well-being. We create a sense of community inside our doors, where we facilitate a commitment to recovery. We find tremendous meaning in bringing someone into our circle and helping them recognize the importance they play in it. It is through these relationships that healing takes place and clients begin to develop the skills to live both independently and in relation to others.
orthorexia disorders faqs
is orthorexia considered an eating disorder?
While orthorexia is not officially recognized as a standalone eating disorder in the DSM-5, it is increasingly acknowledged by clinicians as a serious disordered eating pattern. It involves an obsessive focus on eating only foods perceived as “pure” or “healthy,” often at the expense of physical health, emotional well-being, and social relationships. Like other eating disorders, orthorexia can be deeply distressing and impair daily functioning. Many treatment providers, including Galen Hope, recognize and treat orthorexia as a legitimate and harmful condition.
what causes orthorexia?
Orthorexia often develops from a mix of personal, cultural, and psychological factors. A desire for control, perfectionism, anxiety, or a history of trauma can contribute to obsessive food rules.
Social pressures, like wellness culture, diet trends, or misinformation about health—can also reinforce disordered thinking. It’s rarely about just food; rather, it can reflect deeper emotional needs and identity concerns.
what are the health consequences of orthorexia?
Despite its focus on “healthy” eating, orthorexia can lead to serious physical and mental health consequences. Nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, hormonal imbalances, and digestive issues are common physical outcomes. Emotionally, people may experience anxiety, depression, social isolation, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The rigidity around food can also interfere with relationships, work, and quality of life.
what is the connection between orthorexia and body image issues?
Though orthorexia often centers on health rather than weight loss, body image concerns can still play a significant role. Some individuals may equate being “clean” or “disciplined” with being morally superior or more attractive. The desire to achieve a certain aesthetic, especially one tied to wellness or fitness ideals, can fuel restrictive eating. In many cases, body image issues and orthorexic behaviors reinforce each other.
can orthorexia be cured?
Yes, recovery from orthorexia is possible with the right support and care. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying beliefs and fears around food, body, and identity, while gradually rebuilding a flexible and nourishing relationship with eating. Healing also includes restoring trust in the body, reconnecting with values, and rebuilding social and emotional connections. At Galen Hope, we believe in full recovery through personalized, compassionate care.
is orthorexia the same as anorexia or ocd?
Orthorexia shares some features with both anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it is distinct. Like anorexia, orthorexia may involve restriction and perfectionism, but the focus is more on food purity than weight loss. It also overlaps with OCD in terms of rigid rituals and anxiety-driven behaviors around eating. However, orthorexia has its own unique presentation, and treatment should be tailored accordingly.
what's the difference between an inpatient vs outpatient treatment center?
Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 care in a structured setting, often necessary for those with severe medical or psychiatric needs. Outpatient treatment offers a more flexible approach, allowing individuals to receive therapy and support while continuing with aspects of daily life. For orthorexia, the best level of care depends on medical status, mental health needs, and support systems. Galen Hope offers an intensive outpatient program, and a partial hospitalization program, each blending clinical expertise with individualized, community-based healing.
how can i support a loved one with orthorexia?
Start by approaching them with empathy, not judgment, orthorexia often stems from deep fears and emotional pain. Avoid commenting on food choices or bodies, and instead focus on how they’re feeling and what they may be struggling with. Encourage professional help from providers who understand the complexity of disordered eating. Galen Hope offers resources and guidance for both individuals and their families, so no one has to face recovery alone.
does galen hope take insurance?
Yes. Galen Hope accepts insurance for mental health and eating disorder treatment. We are in-network with ComPsych, Claritev (formerly called Multiplan), Aetna, and Optum/UnitedHealthcare plans. We also work with many out-of-network insurance providers and offer benefit verification to help you understand your options.
What insurance plans does Galen Hope accept for eating disorder and mental health treatment?
Galen Hope is currently in-network with ComPsych, Multiplan, Aetna, and select Optum/UnitedHealthcare plans. Through our Optum contract, we may also be able to work with commercial plans such as UnitedHealthcare, AvMed, and Oscar. We also support many clients through out-of-network benefits with providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, First Health, and others. To determine how your specific plan may apply to treatment, please contact us for a complimentary insurance verification.
Can I use out-of-network insurance to pay for treatment at Galen Hope?
In some instances, we can accept out-of-network (OON) as full payment while in others, we provide a scaled partial payment. This may also be connected with your out or pocket max, as well as co-pays and co-insurance. The degree to which out of network benefits cover the full cost of treatment varies greatly from policy to policy. In some instances it can serve as full payment, while others may cover a portion. In all cases, individuals using out of network benefits will be subject to paying their out-of-network deductible and other fees such as the out of pocket max, co-insurance or co-pays as dictated by your insurance policy.
Does Galen Hope help verify insurance benefits for treatment?
Absolutely. We offer free insurance benefit verification to help you understand what your policy may cover before you begin treatment. We aim to provide full transparency around coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
Can I get a Single Case Agreement (SCA) for treatment at Galen Hope?
When clinically indicated and appropriate, we pursue Single Case Agreements (SCAs) to help families access in-network-level coverage with an out-of-network provider. Our team advocates on your behalf and provides clinical documentation to support the request. We encourage you to call us so that we can determine if a SCA is warranted.
What happens if my insurance stops covering treatment early?
If your insurance coverage ends unexpectedly and we believe the denial of care is not in your best clinical interest, our team will work directly with your insurance carrier to appeal the decision. You will receive timely notification of any changes in authorizations for care in order to explore financial options and clinical recommendations to help minimize any disruption in care.
How can I find out what my insurance covers for eating disorder or mental health treatment?
Our admissions team will assess your insurance policy, the recommended level of care, and your treatment location to give you a clear understanding of what your plan is likely to cover. We’ll guide you every step of the way.
Are insurance benefits different depending on where I live?
Yes. Insurance coverage may vary by state and plan type. We consider your plan’s regional requirements when evaluating your benefits.
Will I know my treatment costs before starting at Galen Hope?
Yes. Before admission, we’ll walk you through all anticipated costs, including what insurance is likely to cover and any out-of-pocket expenses, so there are no surprises.
Can Galen Hope help me understand my insurance coverage?
Yes. Our experienced admissions team will break down your policy, explain your mental health or eating disorder benefits, and help you make the most informed decision possible.
our orthorexia treatment centers in florida
With two state-of-the-art orthorexia treatment centers in South Florida, Galen Hope is committed to helping individuals reclaim freedom, balance, and well-being in their relationship with food. Our approach goes beyond surface-level symptom management; we offer deeply personalized, integrative care that addresses the root causes of orthorexia and co-occurring mental health challenges.
Whether you’re a Florida resident or traveling from out of state, our programs provide a warm, inclusive environment where lasting healing and transformation can take place. At Galen Hope, we walk alongside you every step of the way.
coral gables
Address: 806 Douglas Road, Suite 625
Coral Gables, FL 33445
delray beach
Address: 4600 Linton Blvd.
Delray Beach, FL 33445