Understanding The Connection Between ADHD And Eating Disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that impacts how a person takes in sensory information. It’s not uncommon for ADHD to be comorbid, or to co-occur, with other mental health conditions—including eating disorders. Both ADHD and eating disorders are considered treatable with the right kind of professional support. See below for more information on the ADHD-eating disorders connection, how symptoms of the two can interact with one another, and how therapy may be helpful in the recovery process.
What is ADHD and how is it connected to eating disorders?
ADHD is a type of neurodivergence that is commonly diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms that can last into adulthood. Individuals may experience ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and/or inattentiveness, which may lead to challenges with daily functioning, work and school responsibilities, relationships, and overall mental health and well-being. Difficulty regulating emotions and maintaining healthy self-esteem can also be caused or exacerbated by ADHD.
In some individuals, the impulsive and inattentive tendencies common in ADHD may be linked to comorbid eating disorders—particularly bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The compulsive eating behaviors that are symptomatic of these two disorders may be triggered by strong emotions or be used as a coping strategy for managing them.
If a person who uses food to cope with emotions also has ADHD, impulsivity can make it difficult to stop eating or even to recognize that they are using food to manage emotions. Over time, a continued pattern of this behavior may increase one’s risk of developing binge eating disorder or other eating disorders related to difficulties with impulse control.
Which eating disorders are linked to ADHD?
Understanding which eating disorders are linked to ADHD and being able to recognize their symptoms can be beneficial. One reason is that you may potentially be able to identify signs of an eating disorder if you notice them in yourself and start working with a mental health professional to develop coping strategies sooner. As research suggests, early intervention for eating disorders may improve outcomes.
Although there are many eating disorders that may be connected to ADHD, the three most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. These disorders are considered serious and have the potential to significantly impact both mental and physical health.
Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa (BN), also called bulimia, is characterized by two behaviors that occur back to back: binge eating, or overeating, followed by a period of purging food by vomiting or taking laxatives. With bulimia, a person may impulsively binge eat to feel better emotionally, only to realize how much they ate and purge the food from their system in an effort to “undo” it.
Individuals with ADHD may be at a higher risk of developing BN. Agan, this might be due to the challenges with impulse control and emotional regulation that are common symptoms of ADHD.
Binge-eating disorder
Severe binge eating disorder (BED) is similar to bulimia, but it lacks the purge stage. Individuals with binge-eating disorder may eat uncontrollably for a period of time in response to stress, anxiety, or negative emotions. Over time, binge eating can lead to obesity and weight-related health concerns.
Like BN, BED can relate to trouble with impulse control, making individuals with ADHD more susceptible. Rather than the brain telling the body to resist more food, there is no signal to stop. That, combined with the rush of dopamine from eating food, can make it hard to regulate consumption.
Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness characterized by an obsession with food and body weight. Unlike with binge eating disorders such as bulimia and binge eating disorder, the connection between ADHD and anorexia is less concrete. However, studies suggest that there is still a comorbidity between the two.
There are two subtypes of anorexia: the restrictor type and the binge-and-purge type. Individuals with the restrictor subtype tend to restrict calories and food to lose weight, while those with the binge-and-purge subtype may eat food but subsequently purge to restrict the calories absorbed by the digestive system. The difference between individuals with the anorexia nervosa binge-and-purge subtype and individuals with bulimia is that individuals with bulimia may be at or above what’s considered a healthy body weight for their age and height, whereas individuals with anorexia are often dangerously below.
The binge-and-purge subtype may be linked to ADHD in a similar way to bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. An individual may eat too much due to lowered impulse control from ADHD, decide that they have eaten too much or feel ashamed, and force themselves to purge the food.
Treatment approaches for ADHD and co-occurring eating disorders
Treating ADHD and co-occurring eating disorders can be complex and is generally done in a multidisciplinary manner. A team including mental health professionals, nutritionists, and medical providers may be assembled and leaned on throughout treatment for advice and guidance.
More specifically, a team of doctors and dieticians can help the individual manage eating habits and any medications. During this process, a psychotherapist may also work with the individual on cognitive and behavioral interventions to help them identify and manage the mental and emotional aspects of living with these conditions. A therapist may also provide coping strategies the person can use on a daily basis. Examples may include cognitive techniques to help them replace the impulse to eat with another behavior and mindfulness strategies to help control impulses in general.
Seeking professional support
For individuals living with both ADHD and an eating disorder, finding the right therapist to work with—in tandem with receiving support from doctors and nutritionists—may be essential to success. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find a provider who is a good match in your area, and regularly commuting to and from appointments can be inconvenient or impossible for some. In cases like these, it may be easier to get started with online therapy, where you can meet with a licensed therapist virtually from home.
Research suggests that online therapy may be an effective approach when it comes to managing ADHD symptoms. Studies also indicate that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be an effective tool in helping manage an eating disorder over the long term.
Takeaway
In some people, ADHD and eating disorders co-occur, perhaps because of the challenges with impulse control that many neurodivergent individuals experience. Some of the most common co-occurring eating disorders with ADHD include bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa. The care team for an individual with an eating disorder and ADHD may include doctors, nutritionists, and therapists.
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