Rumination Disorder Treatment

Rumination Disorder is a misunderstood but serious eating disorder that can lead to significant physical complications and emotional distress. At Virtue Recovery Center in Las Vegas, we provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with chronic regurgitation and re-chewing of food. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been silently suffering for years, our expert team is here to help you regain control and reclaim your health.

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What Is Rumination Disorder?

Rumination Disorder is a rare eating disorder that involves the repeated, voluntary regurgitation of food—often within minutes of eating—followed by re-chewing, re-swallowing, or spitting it out. Unlike vomiting due to illness, this behavior is habitual and often unconscious.

Common signs include:

  • Regular regurgitation after meals (without nausea)

  • Bad breath, tooth decay, or sore throat

  • Weight loss or malnutrition

  • Avoidance of eating in public

  • Shame, embarrassment, or distress over symptoms

Rumination Disorder can occur in both adults and children, and it often goes undiagnosed for long periods. Our Las Vegas treatment center offers compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to the unique needs of each client.

 What is Rumination Disorder

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Start With a Free Assessment

Our clinical team is here to listen, evaluate, and guide you toward the right level of care.

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Personalized Therapy for Rumination Disorder

At Virtue Recovery Center, therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Each client receives an individualized treatment plan that addresses the behavioral, emotional, and physical aspects of Rumination Disorder.

Treatment may include:

  • Behavioral interventions (habit reversal, diaphragmatic breathing)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Nutritional therapy to support healthy digestion

  • Anxiety & trauma-focused counseling

Clients gain tools to manage triggers, interrupt compulsive cycles, and rebuild trust in their bodies.

Residential Treatment for Rumination Disorder in Las Vegas

Our residential program provides 24/7 care in a structured, supportive environment. This level of care is ideal for individuals who:

  • Have severe or chronic symptoms

  • Need medical stabilization or nutritional rehab

  • Are struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders

Here, clients participate in daily therapy, supervised meals, psychiatric care, and experiential therapies. All services are delivered by licensed professionals in a state-of-the-art recovery setting.

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Family Therapy & Support for Rumination Disorder

Because Rumination Disorder can be isolating or misunderstood, we include families in the recovery process through structured education and therapy. Our goal is to help loved ones:

  • Understand the nature of the disorder

  • Support the client’s recovery process

  • Address feelings of frustration, worry, or guilt

  • Build healthy, compassionate communication

Whether you’re in Las Vegas or supporting someone from afar, you’re not alone.

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Trauma-Informed Care and Holistic Healing

Many clients with Rumination Disorder experience underlying anxiety, past trauma, or emotional dysregulation. Our trauma-informed approach helps clients feel safe, respected, and empowered as they heal.

We integrate:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  • Somatic experiencing and grounding techniques

  • Meditation, breathwork, and yoga

  • Co-occurring disorder treatment (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, OCD)

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What causes Rumination Disorder?

It may develop due to learned behavior, past trauma, stress, or a co-occurring condition. In many cases, there’s no clear cause—but effective treatment is available.

Is Rumination Disorder dangerous?

Yes, it can cause malnutrition, dehydration, dental erosion, and emotional distress if left untreated.

Can adults have Rumination Disorder?

Absolutely. While it’s often associated with children, many adults suffer in silence for years before receiving a proper diagnosis.

What types of therapy work best?

Behavioral therapy, CBT, and trauma-informed care have proven highly effective. Treatment plans are always tailored to the individual.

Is this the same as bulimia?

No—unlike bulimia, rumination disorder does not involve binge eating or forced vomiting. It is a distinct condition.

How soon can I start treatment?

We offer fast intake and assessment. Call today to learn more about our Las Vegas-based program.

Don’t Wait—Hope and Healing Are Possible

If you're struggling with symptoms of Rumination Disorder, you don’t have to manage it alone. Our expert team is here to guide your recovery with compassion, respect, and clinical excellence.

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Anorexia Nervosa

Evidence-based treatment to restore health and overcome restrictive eating and body image struggles.

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Bulimia Nervosa

Compassionate care to break the cycle of bingeing, purging, and harmful eating behaviors.

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Orthorexia Nervosa

Specialized treatment to heal the obsession with “clean” or “pure” eating.

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Binge Eating

Comprehensive therapy to address compulsive overeating and build a healthier relationship with food.

 Compulsive Overeating Disorder Diets Accommodated

Compulsive Overeating

Supportive programs to reduce emotional overeating and promote long-term recovery.

 Rumination Disorder Treatment - Virtue Recovery Center

Rumination Disorder

Targeted treatment for chronic regurgitation and re-chewing behaviors.

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OSFED

Personalized care for complex eating disorder symptoms that don’t fit one category.

 ARFID Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Treatment

ARFID

Treatment designed to help overcome restrictive eating and food avoidance.

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UFED

Compassionate support for eating disorder symptoms that don’t meet specific diagnostic criteria.

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Laxative Abuse

Safe, effective treatment for laxative misuse and its physical and emotional consequences.

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Diabulimia

Integrated care for individuals with Type 1 diabetes who struggle with insulin restriction and eating disorder behaviors.

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Body Dysmorphia

Holistic treatment to address obsessive thoughts and behaviors about perceived physical flaws.

Glossary of Key Terms in Rumination Disorder Treatment

Rumination

Rumination is the repeated regurgitation of food after eating, which may then be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. Unlike vomiting from illness, it is not usually accompanied by nausea and often happens automatically.

Regurgitation

Regurgitation means food comes back up from the stomach into the mouth without the forceful muscle contractions seen in vomiting. In rumination disorder, this process is voluntary or habitual rather than accidental.

Esophageal Irritation

The esophagus can become inflamed or damaged from repeated regurgitation. Over time, this irritation may cause pain, difficulty swallowing, or long-term complications if untreated.

Malnutrition

Because food is not fully digested, rumination disorder can lead to malnutrition. This condition deprives the body of essential nutrients needed for energy, growth, and repair.

Failure to Thrive

Failure to thrive is a medical term often applied to infants or children who are not gaining weight or growing as expected. In rumination disorder, this may result from consistent regurgitation of food.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is a therapeutic technique that retrains the body to use the diaphragm while eating and digesting food. It is one of the most effective behavioral treatments for rumination disorder.

Behavioral Interventions

Behavioral interventions are structured strategies used to break the cycle of rumination. These may include habit reversal training, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness practices.

Gastrointestinal Complications

Rumination disorder can cause issues in the digestive system such as acid reflux, stomach irritation, or esophageal damage. Medical monitoring is often needed to prevent long-term harm.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is the process of ruling out other conditions, such as GERD (acid reflux) or bulimia nervosa, that can look similar to rumination disorder. Accurate diagnosis ensures the right treatment approach.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention helps individuals maintain progress by practicing skills such as diaphragmatic breathing, managing stress, and recognizing early warning signs. Ongoing support reduces the risk of symptoms returning.

Virtue Recovery's Therapy Treatments

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that fuel addiction or eating disorders, replacing them with healthier coping strategies.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills, supporting recovery for individuals struggling with substance use and eating disorders.

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Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is a client-centered approach that helps individuals explore and strengthen their own motivation for positive change, making it a powerful tool in eating disorder and addiction recovery.

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Psychoeducation Group Therapy

These groups provide education on addiction, mental health, and recovery strategies, empowering clients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain long-term wellness.

Process Group Therapy

In process groups, clients share experiences and gain support while exploring emotions and behaviors in a safe, therapeutic environment that fosters healing and connection.

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Meditation Therapy

Meditation promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional balance, helping clients manage cravings, anxiety, and triggers throughout recovery.

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Music Therapy

Music therapy uses rhythm, lyrics, and sound to promote self-expression, reduce stress, and support emotional healing in addiction and eating disorder recovery.

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12-Step Group Therapy

Rooted in the proven 12-Step model, these groups provide structure, accountability, and peer support to guide clients toward long-term sobriety.

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Yoga Therapy

Yoga integrates breathwork, movement, and mindfulness to strengthen the mind-body connection, reduce stress, and support physical and emotional recovery.

Art Therapy

Through creative expression, art therapy allows clients to process complex emotions, reduce anxiety, and explore nonverbal ways of healing during treatment.