Supporting Someone with Orthorexia
Compassion • Support • Recovery
Orthorexia is a term used for an unhealthy preoccupation with eating foods considered healthy, clean, pure or correct. It is not currently a standalone diagnosis in DSM-5-TR or ICD-11, but the difficulties associated with it can still become serious, restrictive and life-limiting.
This Support Hub guide looks at what happens when the pursuit of health begins to create fear.
Inside:
• when healthy eating becomes rigid
• food rules, checking and fear
• perfectionism and food noise
• social isolation and loss of flexibility
• wellness culture and online nutrition claims
• meals and practical support without policing
• autism, ADHD, ARFID and sensory differences
• anxiety, control, trauma and life events
• a practical flexibility reflection
• nutritional and physical health
• assessment and treatment
• urgent warning signs
• questions for professionals
• supporter wellbeing
• UK support and further reading
Recovery does not mean abandoning health. It can mean finding a relationship with food in which nourishment, flexibility, connection and quality of life can exist together.
Space to Breathe Therapy • Support Hub
