The Effect of ADHD On Eating Habits

As we all know, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD is quite a life-altering disorder to have. People with ADHD struggle with things that others can’t imagine having problems with, leading to misinformation and stigma.

In an afflicted person’s life, ADHD is the blinding sun which various resultant issues orbit. Without appropriate treatment, there is no avoiding the consequences of the disease which the person cannot control. Even with people who get the best treatment, being fully cured is still a far-fetched idea that may take years.

Since ADHD is a disease that commonly takes root in childhood, many basic habits crafted under the influence of ADHD stay with the person for their whole life. With decades of research, a better understanding of patterns and links has come along in the psychiatric field.

Exploring the eating habits of people with ADHD has allowed researchers to discover a fact.

Fact: ADHD And Eating Disorders Overlap, More Often Than Not

Though somebody with ADHD won’t immediately develop an eating disorder when they’re in their early stages, the symptoms of ADHD usually create a path for the afflicted person to develop eating disorders like bulimia or Binge-Eating Disorder (BED).

ADHD has been categorized into three primary types- the inattentive type, the impulsive type, and the combined type.

When it comes to eating habits, people with the inattentive type of ADHD neglect their stomachs and don’t realize that they’re hungry during a task. Later on, they may eat a large amount and this irregularity may cause damage to their bodies in the long run. ADHD can also cause people to impulsively eat beyond their stomachs’ capacities without realizing it.

Anorexia, as common as it is, doesn’t have anything to do with ADHD as the basis of anorexia and the impulsivity associated with ADHD are opposite.

On the other hand, BED is the most common eating disorder, and 30% of people who have BED also have ADHD in the US.

Since ADHD is notorious for causing problems with self-regulation, under-stimulation, and the reduced efficiency of the production of dopamine in the brain, binge eating is a swift and natural reaction to combat these issues. Hence the development of BED for many people with ADHD.

Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD- The Triad For Harmful Eating Habits

Anxiety and depression, as different as they are, often form alongside one another in a troubled human brain due to environmental factors and trauma. ADHD, usually detected in childhood, co-occurs with these mental illnesses, practically setting up the afflicted person for unhealthy eating habits which are difficult to control.

Eating too much can give one anxiety. Depression can reduce someone’s appetite. As informed above, ADHD leads to neglecting hunger and binge eating at irregular times. When all of these form an eventful timeline in somebody’s life, a vicious cycle sends the process of regular digestion of food into turmoil and can lead to eating disorders.

Ways To Improve Eating Habits With ADHD In The Picture

1. Meds Work!

Since ADHD involves the reduced efficiency of dopamine production in the brain, consuming stimulant medication greatly helps suppress the chances of binge eating. In the long run, medication will help in grasping self-control in various aspects of daily life and make healthy eating habits for the afflicted person.

2. Therapy

The job of a therapist is to help patients work through various issues, and it is considered the appropriate method of treatment for people with ADHD. It is expensive and requires the full enthusiasm of the patient, but when coordinated, it allows for the achievement of good eating habits and self-care. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat eating disorders and ADHD and has proven to work for multiple patients.

3. Write, Write, Write!

To exercise mindful eating, noting down everything you eat or taking pictures of your food could help you construct an idea of how much you believe you eat versus how much you actually eat. Once you absorb this information, you’re naturally more conscious of the quality and quantity of your food.

4. Eat At A Designated Spot

In the same way, you should have a distraction-free spot to do homework or study, having such a place to eat can instigate a routine of eating regularly and at certain times. This can assure fewer messes in your bedroom as well!

5. Drink A Glass Of Water Before Starting Your Meal

This is a surefire way to prevent overeating as your stomach will warn you when it has had enough food and you’ll be satisfied with how much you’ve eaten.

6. Take Advantage of Your Forgetful Tendencies

If snacks are behind barriers, it is easier to avoid binge eating. Out of sight, out of mind- that quote tends to be quite literal for people with ADHD, but in this case, it’ll help a ton with overeating.

There is no way to get rid of ADHD or bad eating habits overnight. A lot of progress is still required so people with ADHD can live more comfortably and fulfill their potential. Thankfully, science is ever-progressing, and it is never too late or harmful to try out new ways to balance life with ADHD.

Written by - Maleeha Asif Damda