Tips for ADHD and eating disorders

Does ADHD make you more hungry (why or why not)?

It’s not necessarily about feeling “more hungry” but rather how someone with ADHD manages their relationship with food. For example, people with ADHD may turn to food as a form of self-medication or a source of comfort, which may be linked to another ADHD symptom—trouble with regulating emotions. On the other hand, there may be more complex neurological factors at play when it comes to ADHD and eating disorders. Researchers in a 2020 study found that the reward response to food may be higher in some people with ADHD. So, while ADHD may be a factor in eating disorder development, it’s certainly not the only one at play. There isn’t a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Instead, having ADHD appears to increase the risk of having an eating disorder.

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Does ADHD cause food cravings?

Notably, ADHD appears to be closely linked to only certain types of eating disorders—namely, binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. In fact, a 2010 study found that children with ADHD had more symptoms of bulimia nervosa than those without ADHD. Additionally, the findings showed that childhood impulsivity was the best predictor for adolescent symptoms of bulimia nervosa, especially among girls. And some of the common symptoms of ADHD, especially poor impulse control, can contribute to behaviors like binge eating. That said, there may be more complex neurological factors at play when it comes to ADHD and eating disorders. Researchers in a 2020 study found that the reward response to food may be higher in some people with ADHD. Using MRI scans, they monitored neural responses to images of food items and nonfood items. The photos of food were met with stronger responses in the reward-related areas of the brain.

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Tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with food

Not everyone with ADHD struggles with disordered eating. If you receive an ADHD diagnosis, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop an eating disorder. But here are some tips to keep in mind:

Healthy habits: Don’t underestimate the power of simple changes to eating routines, like portioning out food before a meal, limiting purchases of go-to binging foods, and sticking to a regular meal schedule.
Mindfulness: Distraction and inattention can contribute to excessive consumption. Practicing mindfulness while eating, including eating more slowly and paying attention to how full you feel, may help deter binge-eating episodes.
Medication: Treatment for ADHD can help you manage the symptoms that may contribute to eating disorders. If you’re struggling with binge eating, you may want to ask your doctor about Vyvanse, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of ADHD and binge-eating disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: Also known as CBT, this form of therapy can help address self-esteem issues, negative thought patterns, and unhealthy eating habits.

Keep in mind that these studies didn’t come to firm conclusions about the connection between ADHD and eating disorders. However, similar results across multiple studies demonstrates that this link may be more prevalent than previously thought.

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