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The connection between ADHD and disordered eating
Generally speaking, food comes with a lot of decision-making.
Danii Pollehn/Adobe Stock
How we eat, when we eat, and what we eat is pretty complicated, Dr. Pumar says.
And because people with ADHD dont tend to have strong executive functiona.k.a.
That means your internal dialogue could be as quick as: Im hungry.
What do I crave?
Ill eat that, Dr. Pumar says.
This can lead to impulsive decisions around food.
Its a disorder of difficulty regulating and directing your attention with intention.
Recent research also identifies this connection between impulsivity and disordered eating.
Someestimates suggestthat a third of adults with binge eating disorder also have a history of ADHD.
What’s happening with anorexia is perfectionism, she says.
Theemotional dysregulationthat comes with ADHD can fuel negative emotions and self-talk that come up for people with anorexia.
This may make you think that nobody will love you unless youre perfect, says Dr. Honos-Webb.
These thought distortions can then make you feel like you better restrict your calories.
We asked experts to explain the food-related patterns that ADHD often feeds into, and how to address them.
However, for people with ADHD,procrastinationmay be more of a pattern than an occasionalwhoops!moment.
ADHDers struggle with multistep activities, Dr. Stewart says.
), which can complicate the planning process.
Make a grocery list of what youll need and stick to it, she says.
The simpler, the better.
Use shortcut options like microwave rice, pre-cut veggies, or pre-cooked proteins.
It’s a way to reduce decision-making and decrease the cognitive load ofmeal planning, she says.
As a result, this could lead to underfueling or even binge-eating later at night, Larouche explains.
When Dr. Honos-Webb brought up this point, I felt seen.
The paradox of choice canslow down my decision-making.
What to do:Research your options beforehand if you might.
If the restaurant posts their menu online, consider choosing your top three picks before you get there.
People with ADHD can get bored really easily, Dr. Pumar says.
And food is fun, its interesting, exciting, and a lot of foods release dopamine.
Thats because all of these foods often make us feel good at that moment.
And among the people with binge eating disorderandADHD, the response was even higher, Dr. Stewart says.
What to do:There is nothing wrong with using food as stimulation, Larouche says.
Emotional regulation would be another way to address those emotions.
Then, calm yourself down by doing somedeep breathing.
I might say, How am I going to feel about this a month from now?
Is it really that big of a deal?
FYI, its okay to ask for help.
And identifying how ADHD may contribute to disordered eating habits can help you cut yourself some slack.
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