Orthorexia EXPLAINED

Orthorexia Treatment

We help individuals reduce the anxiety, guilt, and rigid dietary rules associated with orthorexia, working towards a more balanced and flexible pattern of eating.

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Orthorexia EXPLAINED?

What Is Orthorexia?

Orthorexia describes an increasingly common pattern in which a well-intentioned focus on “healthy eating” becomes rigid, consuming, and distressing. While taking care of your health is positive, orthorexia develops when food rules become inflexible, anxiety-provoking, or begin to dominate daily life. For some, these rules start harmlessly — but gradually grow into strict routines, avoidance, and deep concern about food purity or quality.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

Many people with orthorexia feel compelled to follow extremely rigid standards, experience guilt or “failure”

With specialist orthorexia treatment and orthorexia therapy, it is entirely possible to restore balance, reduce anxiety, and rebuild a healthy relationship with food and wellbeing.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about appearance

How We Support you

Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia

Orthorexia can be difficult to recognise, especially when the behaviours initially look like “healthy habits.” These behaviours are treatable, and early support can prevent symptoms from worsening. Common signs include:
  • Fixation on food purity, quality, or “clean” eating
  • Avoiding foods perceived as “unhealthy,” “impure,” or “toxic”
  • Feeling anxious, distressed, or guilty when food rules are broken
  • Social withdrawal or difficulty eating meals prepared by others
  • Planning life around food preparation, sourcing, or rules
  • Planning life around food preparation, sourcing, or rules
  • A sense of superiority tied to food choices
  • Using food restrictions as “punishment” for perceived mistakes
  • Confusion about hunger and fullness due to rigid external rules

How The London Centre Treats Orthorexia

At The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image, we provide confidential, specialist support for individuals struggling with orthorexia and related eating difficulties. Our team of psychologists, psychotherapists, dietitians, and other clinicians work collaboratively to understand the underlying patterns that maintain rigid food rules — such as perfectionism, fear of illness, identity, or the need for control. Treatment is highly personalised and grounded in evidence-based therapies. We focus on helping you rebuild flexibility, reduce anxiety, and separate your sense of self-worth from the foods you eat. Throughout the process, you will be met with compassion, understanding, and professionalism.
Recovery is possible, and you do not need to work through this alone.

Personalised Care

Therapies Used in Orthorexia Recovery

Orthorexia is best addressed through a combination of psychological and nutritional therapies. At The London Centre, we offer a range of evidence-based approaches, tailored to each individual:

  • CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders)
  • Schema Therapy
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • MANTRA Therapy
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

Benefits of Professional Orthorexia Therapy

  • Reduced anxiety and guilt around food
  • Improved social connection and daily functioning
  • More balanced and flexible eating patterns
  • Restored trust in hunger and fullness cues
  • Increased confidence and self-acceptance
  • Practical strategies for long-term resilience and wellbeing
A Place of Specialist Support

When to Seek Help for
Orthorexia

It can be difficult to recognise when “healthy eating” has become something more restrictive or distressing. If food rules are dictating your choices, causing anxiety, or limiting your life, it may be time to reach out for support. Early intervention can make recovery smoother, but help is beneficial at any stage — whether symptoms have developed recently or been present for many years.

FAQ’s

FAQs About Orthorexia Treatment

Healthy eating is flexible, balanced, and integrated into a full life. Orthorexia involves rigid rules, guilt, anxiety, or isolation around food, and often requires therapeutic support to resolve.

Sessions focus on understanding the underlying beliefs driving rigid eating, challenging unhelpful rules, reducing anxiety, and building more flexible, intuitive habits. You will also explore emotional or perfectionistic patterns linked to food.

Yes. If untreated, orthorexia can progress into more restrictive patterns or overlap with conditions such as anorexia nervosa, ARFID, or bulimia. Early support reduces these risks.

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of symptoms and the individual’s needs. Your clinician will work with you to set a pace that feels safe and sustainable.

Yes. We offer both in-person and online sessions to accommodate different needs and preferences.

Absolutely. When appropriate, involving loved ones can support recovery, improve understanding, and help reduce unintentional reinforcement of food rules.

Yes — orthorexia can affect individuals of any gender, age, or background, and our clinicians work inclusively with all clients.

Yes. Many people seek help after long periods of restriction, and with structured, compassionate support, recovery remains entirely possible.

Start your journey

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

You deserve to feel free, confident, and at ease with food again. The London Centre offers discreet, professional, and compassionate support for those experiencing orthorexia or concerns about rigid healthy eating. If you recognise yourself or someone you care about in these descriptions, we’re here to help.

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