ADHD & Binge Eating: Understanding the Connection

What Is the Connection Between ADHD & Binge Eating?

ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and is also seen in adults. Estimates state that ADHD occurs in 8.4% of children and adolescents and 2.5% of adults.² Binge eating, affecting roughly 1.6% of adult females and 0.8% of males, is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder in the United States.³

Binge eating occurs in a significantly higher number of individuals with ADHD than the general population, with estimates finding that roughly 30% of adults with binge eating also have a history of ADHD. While binge eating is not a symptom of ADHD, many of the traits associated with ADHD seem to make it more likely that an individual with ADHD may also experience binge eating. Additionally, similar brain processes may contribute to both ADHD and binge eating.

ADHD symptoms that increase the risk of binge eating include:

ADHD Dopamine Deficiency

For individuals with ADHD, there may be problems with the reward circuits in the brain.¹ One problem may impact dopamine-related rewards in the brain, with dopamine being responsible for feeling pleasure and satisfaction. The resulting low dopamine may lead to an individual with ADHD seeking dopamine rewards or having a “dopamine addiction” through binge eating. Binge eating can include high-carbohydrate and/or high-fat foods that produce dopamine rewards.

Individuals with ADHD and binge eating may have similar genetic abnormalities resulting in low dopamine, with research identifying similar impairments to the brain’s reward circuits in binge eating as found in ADHD.¹ In binge eating, these impairments may be both general and specific to food.⁴

ADHD Impulsivity

Impulsivity is a common symptom of ADHD and can contribute to an increased risk of binge eating for several reasons. First, impulsivity can relate to delay aversion or not wanting to wait.¹ It may be more instantly gratifying to eat what is most easily accessible, like “fast food,” versus planning and preparing a meal at home.

Impulsivity can also relate to difficulty controlling one’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.¹ Stopping something like eating can be hard for someone with ADHD once the thought or behavior starts, even if the individual isn’t hungry.

ADHD Inattention

Inattention in ADHD can cause planning and memory challenges.¹ These problem areas could contribute to irregular eating patterns, including binge eating. Individuals with ADHD may not notice or may even ignore hunger cues and satiety cues, waiting until they are very hungry to eat and/or eating past fullness.

Compulsive eating may also develop as a coping mechanism. Inattention and problems with organization can be frustrating for individuals with ADHD, and binge eating may be an effort to soothe these frustrations.¹

ADHD Emotional Dysregulation

Problems with emotional processing and regulation are other symptoms common to ADHD and binge eating.⁴ In individuals with ADHD, these symptoms may increase the risk of binging.

Emotional dysregulation and difficulties in identifying or coping with emotions may lead to maladaptive coping strategies such as binge eating. Individuals with both ADHD and binge eating may eat in response to negative emotions or stressful situations. This can include eating in response to boredom, anger, sadness, and anxiety, among other difficult emotions.

ADHD & Eating Disorders

In addition to binge eating, there does seem to be a connection between ADHD and eating disorders. Individuals with ADHD have a higher risk of also having an eating disorder.⁵ Loss of control can be associated with the inattention and impulsivity common to ADHD and with the binge eating and purging behaviors present in some eating disorders.⁶

ADHD and eating disorders share several co-occurring symptoms and causes, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsion, and low self-esteem.⁶

Eating disorders that are more common in people with ADHD include:

• Binge eating disorder
• Bulimia nervosa
• Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
• Anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type

ADHD & Binge Eating Treatment

Because of the connection between ADHD and binge eating, treatment for both may be similar. Medication and psychotherapy can be a part of treatment for ADHD and binge eating. Often, medication alone is not enough, and the addition of psychotherapy can improve ADHD and binge eating.

Accurate diagnosis is important to help develop an appropriate treatment plan for each individual. Untreated ADHD could be a barrier to treating binge eating. Managing both ADHD and binge eating at the same time could be helpful for some individuals.

Treatment options for ADHD and binge eating include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT for ADHD helps provide behavioral interventions and address negative thinking patterns. Targeting impairments in daily functioning through CBT may also positively impact and decrease binge eating.
• ADHD medication: The use of ADHD medication may help reduce binging by treating impulsivity and inattention. These medications may treat the brain pathways responsible for ADHD and binge eating behaviors.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Emotion regulation is important to DBT. Addressing emotion regulation can help treat both ADHD and binge eating.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT can help cultivate mindfulness and connection to an individual’s values to identify value-directed actions the individual can take.
• Family therapy: Family therapy can be used in the treatment of both ADHD and binge eating, especially with children, adolescents, and young adults. In family therapy, all family members may be able to learn skills and strategies for addressing symptoms.
• Nutritional counseling: Nutritional counseling may help provide education and support to address symptoms associated with ADHD and binge eating. A registered dietitian can provide support around meal planning.
• Health at Every Size (HAES) principles: Working with a professional such as a therapist or dietitian who incorporates HAES principles may be an important part of addressing binge eating. HAES principles prioritize inclusivity, including weight and neurodiverse individuals such as those with ADHD, and help move towards eating for well-being.
• Intuitive eating principles: Learning and practicing the principles of intuitive or mindful eating may help address the inattention to hunger and fullness that can relate to ADHD and binge eating. These principles can also help address eating for emotional reasons.

7 Strategies to Help Cope with ADHD & Binge Eating

Addressing ADHD and binge eating can be challenging. However, there are healthy ways to cope. Many of these coping skills can help to increase dopamine. These natural ways of increasing dopamine throughout one’s day may help prevent binge eating by addressing the role of the reward circuit in the brain.

Here are seven tips to help cope with binge eating with ADHD:

1. Nutrition & Diet: Scheduling meals and eating smaller, more frequent, and regular meals may help cope with binge eating and ADHD. It’s important to allow for a variety of foods to avoid restriction, which can lead to boredom and later dopamine seeking through binging, and practicing mindfulness while eating may help in better noticing hunger and fullness cues.
2. Exercise: Research shows exercise for mental health works. Practice joyful movements that highlight pleasure, choice, flexibility, celebration, and intuition, such as yoga and dance.
3. Sleep: Regular, high-quality sleep can help with dopamine throughout one’s day. Good sleep hygiene and a healthy bedtime routine, including limiting screen time before bed, are important in coping with binge eating and ADHD.
4. Meditation: Meditation for ADHD involves attention to the present moment without judgment, and dopamine can be released through the practice of meditation. Many simple meditations can be found in an online search, or start with box breathing by inhaling for a 4-second count, holding for 4 seconds, exhaling for a 4-second count, holding another 4 seconds, and repeating this about 12 times.
5. Music: Listening to certain music, like music you love, can boost dopamine levels. Music-based therapies, including the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), may be helpful in the treatment of ADHD and binge eating for some individuals.
6. Sunlight: Moderate sun exposure can increase dopamine levels in the brain. Walking outside can combine exercise with sunlight and can be a healthy way to cope with binge eating and ADHD.
7. Nature: Humans tend towards other living things, including plants and animals. Spending time connecting with nature or with your pets can help increase dopamine.

When to Seek Professional Support

It’s important to work with professionals who are familiar with binge eating and ADHD. You can find a neurodiverse-affirming therapist who will explore treatment options. A first step would be to use an online therapist directory. You may also want to see a psychiatrist for ADHD medication management. While an online therapy platform and online psychiatrist options are choices, you may benefit from in-person testing and treatment.

In My Experience

In my experience, many individuals with ADHD also struggle with binge eating. Addressing ADHD and binge eating can feel overwhelming; however, treatment is possible and often starts with an accurate diagnosis. Medication may be a part of the treatment journey, and working with professionals who you feel comfortable with is important in exploring all treatment options that are right for you as an individual. Addressing both ADHD and binge eating is important for long-term recovery. If you’re experiencing distress due to symptoms associated with ADHD or binge eating, start the conversation with someone you trust and know that help is available.