Understanding Eating Disorders

Before exploring their connection to ADHD, it helps to know what eating disorders are. They are not simply about food or weight. At their core, eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that impact one’s relationship with food, body image, and self-worth. See my post on The 3 Most Common Eating Disorders for more information.

Understanding ADHD

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is more than restlessness or having trouble focusing. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults, regarding how the brain manages attention, impulses, and activity levels. A quick, comprehensive read on ADHD can be found here.  

The Link Between Eating Disorders and ADHD

Recent research highlights a significant overlap between eating disorders and ADHD, especially in adolescents and young adults. Here’s what studies are revealing:

Shared Genetic and Neurological Pathways

Both ADHD and eating disorders share genetic factors. Neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which influence reward, mood, and self-control, are often imbalanced in both conditions.

Impulsivity and Emotional Regulation

Impulsivity is a hallmark symptom of ADHD. When it combined with food, it may lead to impulsive eating behaviors—binges, emotional eating, or difficulty following structured meal plans. Research shows that girls and women with ADHD are almost four times as likely to develop an eating disorder.

Attention, Reward, and Control

ADHD can cause challenges with delayed gratification and make seeking quick rewards (like comfort food) more tempting. For some, food becomes a way to cope with emotional discomfort or manage stress when impulse control falters.

Evidence From Studies

A review published in BMC Psychiatry (2024) concluded that individuals with ADHD are at significantly higher risk for all major eating disorders, particularly BED and bulimia. Another study in The Lancet Psychiatry found that treating ADHD symptoms can sometimes reduce binge eating and improve outcomes for those with overlapping diagnoses. 

Common Challenges

• Higher Anxiety and Depression: Research consistently shows that the rates of anxiety and depression are higher among those dealing with both conditions. This can amplify feelings of isolation or hopelessness.
• Self-Esteem Issues: Struggling to manage symptoms may erode confidence and increase self-criticism.
• Suicidal Ideation: Studies indicate an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors with comorbid ADHD and eating disorders, especially if other mental health concerns are present.

Treatment Approaches

Managing both ADHD and an eating disorder requires a nuanced, compassionate approach. Integrated treatment is often most effective.

Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing problematic thinking and behaviors. For eating disorders, CBT helps restructure beliefs around food and body image. For ADHD, it supports planning, organization, and impulse control.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Especially helpful for emotional regulation, DBT offers skills for handling distress and building better coping mechanisms.
• Family-Based Therapy: Can be essential for younger individuals with eating disorders by engaging loved ones in care.

Medication

For some, medications may help manage ADHD symptoms (e.g., stimulants, non-stimulants). Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be considered if mood disorders are present. Collaboration with a knowledgeable prescriber is key, as medications can occasionally affect appetite or eating behaviors.

Nutritional Counseling

Registered dietitians with experience in eating disorders play a vital role by helping people create balanced, realistic food plans and helping challenge harmful beliefs about food. They can also offer practical strategies to support regular meals and snacks.

Coping Strategies for Dual Diagnosis

Finding what works for you may take experimentation and patience. Here are some tools that have helped others managing both conditions:

• Routine and Structure: Create a daily routine with regular meals and snacks. Structure helps curb impulsivity and reduce stress.
• Mindful Eating: Practice tuning into hunger and fullness cues. Eating mindfully makes it easier to separate emotional from physical hunger.
• Set Reminders: Use alarms or apps to prompt meals, hydration, or taking medication.
• Journaling: Track your mood, eating patterns, and ADHD symptoms. Journaling can reveal triggers and uncover patterns.
• Seek Connection: Lean on trusted friends, support groups, or online communities facing similar struggles.
• Self-Compassion: Progress is not linear. Practice gentle self-talk and forgive slip-ups. Learning what works best for you takes time. 

Early Recognition and Comprehensive Care Is Key

The research is clear: the link between eating disorders and ADHD is real and meaningful, shaped by both biology and lived experience. While managing both can feel overwhelming, you have options, support, and hope. Seeking an integrated, compassionate treatment approach is the best path toward healing.

No two journeys are the same, and it is more than okay to ask for help. Talk to your healthcare provider, find a therapist who is well-versed in both conditions, explore supportive communities, and proceed with patience. Each step taken is a step forward.

Resources for Further Support

If you’re looking for more information or a sense of community, these resources offer expert guidance and empathy:

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): nationaleatingdisorders.org
• ADHD Awareness (CHADD): chadd.org
• ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America): adaa.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): nami.org
• Local therapists or dietitians: Many specialize in treating comorbid ADHD and eating disorders. Ask for recommendations from reputable organizations above.