ADHD And Binge Eating Disorder: Exploring The Connection And Treatment Options
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can bring impulsivity, hyperactivity, and focus difficulties. People with ADHD often seek more stimulation, which could potentially lead to binge eating, as research suggests. This article explores the link between ADHD and binge eating, providing insights into coping strategies for those dealing with these challenges.
Understanding ADHD
To understand the link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and binge eating, it is important to understand the nature of each of these individual disorders.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulties in focusing on specific tasks. As part of this condition, individuals with ADHD often exhibit a heightened need for stimulation. An older study suggests that the part of the brain associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation may tend to malfunction in those with ADHD.
The presentations of ADHD
According to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), ADHD typically takes one of three presentations: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, or a combined type. Below is a breakdown of the three core symptoms that appear in the various ADHD presentations.
Inattention
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to sustain focus on tasks, especially those that they don’t find interesting. This can make it challenging to complete work assignments, follow through on responsibilities, or organize activities efficiently.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity may manifest differently in adults than in children. That said, some adults with ADHD may still experience restlessness, an inability to stay seated, or a constant need for movement.
Impulsivity
Adults with ADHD may exhibit impulsive behavior. This could take the form of making decisions without careful consideration, interrupting others during conversations, or engaging in risky activities without fully assessing the consequences.
Other common symptoms of ADHD
While the disorder affects every individual differently, there are several common ADHD symptoms that tend to occur in adults. These symptoms include:
Forgetfulness. Difficulty in remembering appointments, deadlines, or important details is common in adults with ADHD. Forgetfulness may affect daily tasks and contribute to disorganization.
Time management challenges. Adults with ADHD often have issues with managing time effectively, leading to difficulties in prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a consistent daily routine.
Procrastination. Chronic procrastination can be a symptom of ADHD, as individuals may find it challenging to initiate tasks or may experience a fear of failure.
Impaired executive function. Executive functions, such as planning, problem-solving, and organization, may be impaired in adults with ADHD, impacting their ability to navigate various aspects of life.
Mood swings. Emotional dysregulation, including mood swings and difficulty managing frustration or anger, can be part of ADHD symptoms in adults.
Relationship challenges. Adults with ADHD may experience difficulties in maintaining relationships due to communication issues, forgetfulness, or impulsive behavior that can strain interpersonal connections.
Workplace challenges. Issues with maintaining consistent performance, meeting deadlines, and staying organized in a work environment are common among adults with ADHD.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder today. It’s characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort. Individuals with binge eating disorder experience a loss of control during these episodes and may eat even when they are not hungry. Unlike other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, BED does not usually involve purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise.
Key symptoms of binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a common eating disorder, meaning it impacts millions of people. As such, it can affect all adult eating disorder patients a bit differently, but common symptoms include:
Recurrent binge eating: consuming excessive food with a sense of loss of control during the binge eating episode
Rapid food intake: ingesting large quantities quickly, often beyond fullness
Emotional eating: frequently eating when not hungry, driven by emotions or stress
Secrecy and shame: hiding eating habits due to feelings of shame or embarrassment
Guilt and remorse: feeling negative emotions after binge episodes
No purging behaviors: Unlike bulimia, BED involves no regular purging activities.
Body image concerns: heightened focus on weight and appearance
Isolation: eating alone to conceal overeating, leading to social withdrawal
Comorbidities: BED often occurs with other mental health conditions (like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder) and, sometimes, other eating disorders.
Weight fluctuations: possible weight changes
The link between ADHD and binge eating
Though binge eating patterns are not directly linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, research suggests that there may be a number of co-occurring factors, or comorbidities, between the two. Individuals with an ADHD diagnosis may find themselves more susceptible to developing binge eating patterns due to various factors associated with the ADHD brain.
In a 2017 clinical review, seventy-five studies were conducted to assess the potential association between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating. While additional research was suggested, initial findings indicated moderate evidence for a positive link between ADHD and disordered eating, with an emphasis on binge eating.
The dopamine connection between ADHD and binge eating disorder
Those with ADHD often possess low dopamine levels. This deficiency can lead to a reduced ability to feel internal satisfaction. As a result, people with this condition might turn to external stimulation, like food, to stimulate dopamine release and activate the brain's pleasure center. This could result in engaging in binge eating patterns, which may develop into a disorder.
ADHD and eating disorders: the role of structural differences in the brain
Additionally, the structural differences in the ADHD brain may impact the interpretation of fullness cues, making it difficult for individuals to control eating based on internal signals. As a result, they may rely on external cues and seek satisfaction through binge eating. This can create a cycle of using binge eating to cope with ADHD symptoms.
In essence, the impulsive behaviors associated with ADHD can often easily affect eating habits. Much like ADHD might make it difficult to understand verbal cues, internal cues like sadness, boredom, and stress can be misinterpreted as hunger.
Coping with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and signs of eating disorders
Note that it can be crucial to address symptoms of ADHD and eating disorders with a medical or mental health professional. With eating disorders in particular, early intervention can be key to reducing one’s risk of severe long-term outcomes.
Treatment for both ADHD and eating disorders usually involves some form of talk therapy, sometimes in combination with medication. Support groups and lifestyle changes may be suggested as well. For more severe cases of eating disorders, inpatient treatment may be required. In any case, as part of your treatment, your provider may also recommend healthy coping mechanisms like the following.
Reduce distractions
It may help to set up your environment in such a way that helps reduce ADHD distractibility. For example, eating while you have the TV on may make it harder to focus on your food and notice fullness cues. Similarly, having long periods of unstructured time may make you likelier to snack out of boredom when you’re not hungry, so finding stimulating activities to engage in during down time may be helpful.
Set an eating schedule that works for your attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Some people with ADHD find it harder to recognize when they are hungry, or they may forget to eat due to their symptoms. Certain medications may also interfere with hunger cues. As a result, a person may end up overeating after not eating for long periods. Preparing meals ahead of time and setting reminders throughout the day to eat may help.
Unwanted eating habits could mean ADHD
Practice mindfulness as part of your treatment
Regularly practicing mindfulness may help you build a stronger ability to notice feelings and sensations in your body. This skill could help you when distinguishing between hunger cues and desires to eat emotionally, for example, or enable you to notice fullness cues earlier.
How therapy can help
If symptoms of ADHD or worrisome eating habits are impacting your emotional well-being, health, work, social life, or daily functioning or are causing distress, it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can screen for ADHD, eating disorders, or other conditions and recommend treatment as necessary. They can also provide a safe space where an individual can explore their relationship with food, learn to manage their ADHD symptoms, and feel supported on their well-being journey.
The option of online therapy for ADHD or eating disorder treatment
While therapy can be a valuable next step for those experiencing mental health challenges, commuting to and from in-person appointments is not feasible for everyone. For those who have a busy schedule or few mental health providers in their area, online therapy may be a more readily available option for receiving care.
With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist according to your needs and preferences. Then, you can connect with them remotely through video call, audio call, and/or in-app messaging. Online therapy also tends to be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy without insurance. Plus, research suggests that online therapy can often be similarly effective to in-person therapy for treating a variety of symptoms and conditions.
Takeaway
While binge eating patterns are not directly attributed to ADHD, substantial evidence suggests a complex interplay between the two, with factors such as low dopamine levels contributing to an increased susceptibility to binge eating behaviors. Understanding these dynamics is important for developing effective coping strategies that address both ADHD symptoms and challenges with disordered eating.
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