Everything You Need to Know About ADHD and Eating Disorders

Feeling neurospicy?

Living with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can feel like your mind is in constant overdrive. This makes it difficult to manage impulses and stay focused throughout the day.

The differences associated with ADHD have been referred to as “neurospicy,” a playful term that describes neurodivergent characteristics. ADHD can turn everyday tasks into significant challenges — especially when it comes to eating habits. 

How is being neurospicy linked with eating disorders? For starters, the impulsivity that comes with ADHD can lead to binge eating. And sensory sensitivities commonly associated with ADHD can cause intense reactions to certain foods or fixations on specific textures. It’s understandable, then, that up to 20% of children with ADHD will develop eating disorders like bulimia, binge eating and anorexia ^[1].

Let’s explore how ADHD and eating disorders can influence each other, as well as strategies for managing both conditions. Whether you’re experiencing these challenges yourself or supporting someone who is, we’re here to help you learn about and navigate them.

The link between eating disorders and ADHD

“We can understand the relationship between eating disorders and ADHD by looking at biological, genetic, cognitive-behavioral and emotional factors,” says Kim Anderson, PhD, CEDS, executive director at Eating Recovery Center. “Insufficient levels of certain neurochemicals like dopamine, as well as impulsivity and low self-esteem, appear to connect the illnesses.

“People with ADHD often have low levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurochemicals serve as messengers in the nervous system,” Anderson continues. These important chemicals are essential for regulating mood, attention and appetite.

Disruption of these chemical signals, especially in key brain regions like the frontal cortex, can distort hunger, thirst or pain cues and lead to various ADHD food aversions. Here are two examples of how this might work in an individual with ADHD.

• Food sensory issues in ADHD can make certain textures or tastes overwhelming, causing individuals to avoid specific foods (more on this below).
• Hyperfocus can lead to ADHD food hyperfixation, resulting in repetitive eating habits.

Let’s take a closer look at how the neurospicy nature of ADHD and food-related behaviors contributes to specific eating disorders.

ADHD and binge eating disorder

Many people with ADHD find themselves eating large amounts of food in a short period, often not realizing they might be struggling with binge eating disorder (BED). ADHD makes it tough to tell when you’re full or hungry, and the impulsivity and executive dysfunction that come with ADHD make it harder to resist tempting foods and plan regular meals ^[2]. Research also indicates that some individuals with ADHD find eating more rewarding and pleasurable than those without the disorder and thus are more likely to binge ^[3].

These dynamics can manifest in various eating behaviors:

• Boredom eating and ADHD. Eating can help stimulate the brain when individuals feel bored due to low dopamine levels ^[4].
• Impulsive eating and ADHD. Acting on immediate cravings without considering hunger can lead to spontaneous and excessive eating ^[4].
• Compulsive eating and ADHD. Sometimes food is used to cope with emotion dysregulation instead of satisfying physical hunger, which might result in compulsive overeating.

The guilt associated with binge eating can have huge implications for self-esteem, causing individuals to repeat the cycle of overeating and shame. Recognizing these habits, having patience for yourself or a loved one during a binge cycle and implementing proven tips can help break free from the disorder.

How to manage binge eating with ADHD

• Consume meals slowly and mindfully, focusing on your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Minimize distractions like TV or phones.
• Set regular meal and snack times with reminders to prevent impulsive eating. Plan grocery trips for a variety of foods.
• Stimulate your brain with activities like exercise, meditation, yoga or your favorite hobbies to prevent emotional eating.
• Seek professional support from an expert who specializes in ADHD and eating disorders for care that is tailored to you.

ADHD and bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder whereby individuals go through repetitive episodes of eating large amounts of food, then try to get rid of the food by purging — vomiting, using laxatives or overexercising. The impulsivity and emotion regulation challenges of ADHD can make individuals living with it more prone to bulimia.

The urge to binge eat often stems from a need for immediate gratification. After a binge, the distress and discomfort might make purging seem like the only way to regain control. Research underscores this connection, revealing that girls with ADHD are almost six times more likely to develop bulimia than their peers ^[5]. Additionally, about 11% of women with ADHD report a history of bulimia nervosa, compared with 1% of women without ADHD ^[6]. This higher risk is likely due to the impulsivity seen in people with ADHD, making it hard to resist the urge to binge.

ADHD and anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is marked by extreme food restriction, distorted body image and a serious fear of gaining weight, often resulting in very low body weight. Individuals with ADHD tend to face a higher risk of developing anorexia than those without ADHD ^[7]. This increased risk is due to ADHD's neurospicy traits like inattentiveness and hyperactivity, which can lead to restrictive eating habits.

These restrictive practices help individuals feel more in control and reduce anxiety, especially when they feel overwhelmed. Some people with ADHD also take an all-or-nothing approach to making food-based decisions, which simplifies their thinking and makes it more manageable.

ADHD, picky eating and ARFID

Many individuals with ADHD face challenges with picky eating, which can sometimes be a sign of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). These challenges often arise because sensory sensitivities to textures, tastes or smells can make eating stressful.

Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID doesn’t involve distorted body image or a focus on weight, body size or shape. Instead, ARFID is characterized by:

• Extreme sensitivity to food textures, tastes and smells
• Fear of certain foods and their possible effects (e.g., choking or vomiting)
• Forgetting to eat
• A lack of interest in food altogether

As a result of these behaviors, individuals, especially children, may avoid entire food groups or eat only a very narrow range of foods, leading to nutritional issues.

How to manage picky or selective eating with ADHD

If you or someone you know is struggling with ADHD and not eating or demonstrating picky eating, try the following tips.

• Introduce new foods gradually by starting with small portions and adding a variety of textures and flavors as comfort levels rise.
• Get involved in meal preparation to reduce anxiety and increase interest in food.
• Create a positive mealtime environment that is enjoyable and pressure-free.
• Set regular eating schedules to help manage the tendency to forget to eat.

If ADHD symptoms interfere with daily life, especially for a child or teen, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional who specializes in ADHD. Early support can make a huge difference.

When to seek help for an eating disorder

If ADHD symptoms are impacting your relationship with food and disrupting your daily life, it’s important to reach out for support.

“Untreated ADHD may contribute to the development of eating disorders when symptoms like impulsivity or reduced concentration begin to impact a person’s functioning in social settings, school or work,” says Dr. Anderson. “This may lead to sadness, frustration or low self-esteem and culminate in other mental health concerns.”

ADHD in girls often goes undiagnosed, and since girls and women are at higher risk for some eating disorders, “early identification and treatment is very important to positive outcomes and recovery,” advises Dr. Anderson. By recognizing ADHD symptoms early and seeking help, you can prevent the development of additional disordered eating behaviors.

It’s important not to self-diagnose ADHD. While social media influencers are raising awareness and terms like “neurospicy” resonate with some neurodivergent groups, self-diagnosis can be dangerous. Dr. Anderson emphasizes that “a thorough ADHD assessment by an experienced, licensed mental health professional is essential for an accurate and evidence-based diagnosis and treatment.”

Now that we’ve covered when to seek support, let’s explore the various approaches to managing ADHD and its related disorders.

Treating eating disorders and ADHD

Treating ADHD and eating disorders together requires an integrated approach. Regardless of causality, “clinicians treating individuals with ADHD must assess for these co-existing conditions and gain understanding of the relationship between ADHD and eating disorder symptoms to create and implement an effective treatment plan,” says Dr. Anderson. “If someone with ADHD is in treatment for an eating disorder, evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders and co-occurring ADHD can help patients understand the impact of their ADHD symptoms on their eating disorder and vice versa.”

Supporting neurodivergence is another crucial aspect of the treatment process. “Our entire clinical team here at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center receives training to understand neurodiversity and care for neurodiverse patients,” adds Dr. Anderson. “This includes detailing individual communication preferences and challenges, as well as providing environmental accommodations like sensory rooms and consistent routines.” By combining these personalized strategies and supportive environments, individuals learn how to better manage both ADHD and eating disorders.

If you’re an adult with ADHD and an eating disorder, or suspect a loved one is dealing with these conditions, contacting a professional for a comprehensive assessment is an important first step.

To learn more about treatment, call us at 877-825-8584 or reach out for a free assessment. One conversation can make all the difference.

What to Read Next:

• Social Media and Eating Disorders: Is There a Link?
• ARFID in Adults
• 11 Common Eating Disorder Facts