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Last updated on June 17th, 2024 at 08:01 pm
Written by Samantha Mullins, Dietetic intern, Reviewed by Shena Jaramillo, MS, RD
ADHD and eating disorders share many common behavioral patterns. However, an eating disorder may be overlooked as behaviors associated with the condition are often attributed to a diagnosis of ADHD.
Symptoms commonly shared between ADHD and eating disorders include:
- High Anxiety
- Being easily distracted or fidgety
- Getting overwhelmed easily
- Constant fatigue
- Feeling overly sensitive
- Feeling rejected by peers
80% of people with ADHD have other things going on alongside it, like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood swings, and more. These conditions are also commonly co-occur with eating disorders.
Let’s dig into some of the reasons why we see a connection between ADHD and eating disorders, how to recognize triggers for disordered eating behaviors, and what you should do if you are trying to manage ADHD and an eating disorder simultaneously.
What is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a condition that can make it hard for us to sit still, pay attention, or control our actions. We may have trouble staying focused, or be really active and impulsive.
Interest in ADHD and how ADHD symptoms impact our daily lives continues to increase as awareness of the disorder increases and more people are becoming diagnosed.
In 1997, about 6.1% of kids had ADHD, but by 2022, it went up to 11.3%. And did you know that if you had ADHD as a kid you may still have it as an adult? About 65% of kids with ADHD will still have to manage symptoms as an adult.
ADHD Symptoms Can Impact Eating Habits
You might think about how ADHD affects your work, chores, and managing your finances. However, it’s important to realize that ADHD symptoms can also have a big impact on our health and well-being.
ADHD can make it hard to pay attention to when and what we eat. When we eat foods that don’t give our bodies the right energy and nutrients, it can make our ADHD symptoms worse.
Here are a few symptoms of ADHD that can impact our relationship with food:
- Impulsivity: You might eat too quickly or too much without thinking about if you’re hungry or not. You might have times when they eat a lot in one go or eat even when you’re not really hungry.
- Inattention: It can be hard for you to focus on planning meals or remembering to eat regularly if you have ADHD. This might lead to eating at odd times or skipping meals without realizing it.
- Hyperactivity: You may have a hard time sitting still, even during meals. We might prefer snacks or fast meals because you find it tough to stay calm and sit through longer eating times.
- Emotional ups and downs: ADHD can also make emotions feel harder to control. This might lead to eating for comfort when feeling stressed or upset.
- Impulse control: Because of these challenges, we might find it tough to say no to unhealthy snacks or foods, which can make it hard to eat a balanced diet.
- Thinking ahead: Planning meals and staying organized can be tricky because of ADHD. This can make it harder to stick to a healthy eating routine.
We all experience ADHD symptoms differently, so not everyone has the same difficulties with food. However, being aware of about these possible challenges can help us come up with ways to cope with our symptoms.
ADHD and Eating Disorders
The symptoms listed above, along with others, contribute to why if you have ADHD, you are more than three times more likely to develop an eating disorder than if you don’t have ADHD.
One eating disorder that you may be at a higher risk for is anorexia nervosa. There are a few different reasons this may be the case:
- Thinking and Planning: ADHD can make it hard to plan and think ahead. This can lead to unintentional food restriction. It can disrupt the way you think about and plan your meals.
- Control: Eating disorders are often about wanting to control your body and food. ADHD can also make you feel like you’re not in control sometimes. So, you might try to control what you eat too much.
- Feeling Upset: Both ADHD and eating disorders can make you feel sad or anxious. When you feel like this, it can be tough to make good choices about eating and taking care of yourself.
- Medications: Many ADHD medications have the common side effect of decreased appetite, so it’s very important to keep this in mind and you may have to actively work to make sure you eat enough each day.
- Getting Help: Sometimes, if you have ADHD and an eating disorder together, it’s harder for people to notice and help you. They might think your problems are just because of one thing and not see the connection between the two. It’s important if you’re struggling to tell someone you trust about your eating disorder.
ADHD and Binge Eating
If you have ADHD, you might find yourself binge eating, eating a lot of food really quickly, or eating even when you’re not hungry.
Here are some ADHD symptoms that can contribute to this:
- Distracted Eating: A person with ADHD can get easily distracted, which means you might not pay attention to when you’re full. You might keep eating because you’re not focused on listening to your hunger cues.
- Emotional Eating: You might eat more when you’re feeling stressed, sad, or bored if you have ADHD. Food can make us feel better temporarily. While it’s always okay to eat for emotional reasons, if this is your only coping tool it can become problematic.
- Impulsive Eating: Having ADHD means a person can sometimes act without thinking, including when it comes to food. You might see food you like and eat a lot of it without thinking about your hunger cues.
- Seeing the Big Picture: One struggle with ADHD is sometimes not being able to predict long-term consequences of their current behavior. The lack of the ability to see multiple steps ahead and the consequences for one’s actions can make it very difficult to manage impulses.
How to Address Eating Disorders with ADHD
Remember, not everyone with ADHD has an eating disorder, and not everyone with an eating disorder has ADHD. But it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider if you’re struggling. They can help you feel better and find ways to manage your feelings and behaviors.
Some steps you should take immediately if you think you have an eating disorder include:
- Connecting with an ED dietitian, therapist and physician
- Follow an eating disorder meal plan
- Rely on meal support
- Stop calorie counting if you are doing so
- Weight restore if necessary
- Do body image work with a professional
Routine and Structure: Having a routine and structure can be really helpful for people with ADHD. When there’s a routine for meals and snacks, it can help you eat at regular times.
If you are experiencing an eating disorder alongside of ADHD, you are worthy of recovery and there are many tools and resources to help support you.
- Help, I Feel Like I Don’t Deserve To Eat - September 7, 2024
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- Intuitive Eating For Eating Disorders: What You Should Know - September 3, 2024