Eating disorders and ADHD

Research suggests that people with ADHD are almost four times more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition that affects how the brain works. It’s often associated with difficulty paying attention and is also a form of neurodivergence.

Other common symptoms of ADHD can affect how eating disorders develop and make recovery more challenging. It’s important to remember that these extra challenges aren’t your fault, and that you deserve access to treatment that works for you.

Below, we’ve put together some information to help you navigate experiencing an eating disorder alongside having ADHD.

How is ADHD linked with eating disorders?

Eating disorders can affect people with ADHD in the following ways:

• Many people with ADHD experience emotional dysregulation, which means they find it more difficult to manage strong feelings like stress or anxiety. As a result, they may develop different ways of coping with these feelings, which can include changes in eating patterns.
• Impulsivity, another symptom of ADHD, can make it more challenging to follow a routine and make decisions around food. Difficulties with time management and organisation can lead to a lack of structure around mealtimes.
• Hyperfocus is a state of intense concentration on a task the person finds rewarding. This can lead to neglecting personal needs or other responsibilities. Some people with ADHD may hyperfocus on food or eating routines, which can lead to eating disorder behaviours.
• Sensory issues can also lead to difficulty recognising things like hunger cues.
• Accessing support can be confusing, and this can take an additional toll on the person and those supporting them. For example, they might struggle booking or remembering appointments.
• One of the most common treatments for ADHD is stimulant medication, which can affect appetite in some people, which may contribute to the development of eating disorder behaviours.

Everyone’s experience of ADHD is different, so it’s important to remember your experience is still valid if you don’t relate to the points we’ve made above. People with ADHD can often live with shame around their symptoms, so it’s also incredibly important to remember that you aren’t to blame for any of this - your brain functions differently to others and your treatment should reflect that. Recovery is always possible, and we’re here for you.

What support is available?

At the moment, medical guidelines for eating disorders don’t provide specific guidance on how to support people with eating disorders and ADHD.

Treatment may be approached differently across the UK, but it should always be taken very seriously.

As knowledge and understanding of the link between ADHD and eating disorders grows in the medical community, new approaches to treatment are being developed. It's important to try and find the right support for you, or your loved one.

Treatment for any eating disorder should take a multidisciplinary approach, meaning that multiple professional teams work together to provide care that fits each person.  Addressing eating disorder behaviours alongside ADHD symptoms gives people the best chance at recovery.

It’s common for treatment to involve things like family-based therapy (for young people), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behavioural interventions and medication. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can help to address emotional dysregulation and harmful eating patterns, supporting patients to form new habits and feel more in control of their emotions.

Making an appointment with your GP is the first step to accessing this kind of support. You can read more about this here - Going to the doctor - Beat

If you are already receiving support for ADHD, it might help to let your healthcare professional know about any difficulties with eating so they can take this into account. They may also be able to support you with seeking specialist help.

Ways you can support yourself

Alongside professional support, there are things that some people find helpful when managing both ADHD and eating difficulties. Everyone is different, so it’s important to explore what works for you as an individual. You might want to try:

• Using reminders, alarms, or visual prompts to support regular eating if this is something you struggle with
• Asking someone you trust to support you with routines, meals, or doctor’s appointments
• Decision-making can be challenging, so reducing this where possible can help e.g., by planning in advance
• Be gentle and flexible with yourself
• Do something you enjoy whilst you eat, like watching your favourite show or listening to music
• Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks e.g., by writing down each step of a task and completing them one by one. Pause if you need to!
• Use distraction techniques if you feel the urge to engage in eating disorder behaviours
• Develop an action plan to use throughout your recovery journey
• Express yourself through journalling

It may take time to find what works for you, and that’s okay.

What kind of reasonable adjustments can be made?

Reasonable adjustments are changes to care that help make services more accessible and supportive for you.

You can ask for adjustments such as:

• Information on what to expect, what the treatment environment is like and who you will be meeting. Upfront information can include pictures, schedules, written checklists, and examples.
• To see the same person in the same appointment room each time if sessions are ongoing.
• Appointments/sessions at a quieter time of the day.
• If there is a quiet area for you to wait in, if you find the environment of a waiting room challenging. Or you could ask if you could wait in your car or outside, and for someone to call you when it is time for you to see the healthcare professional.
• Longer appointments/sessions.
• Information to be provided in an accessible format e.g., Easy Read.
• A written summary of what has been discussed at the appointment/session and any next steps.
• For some information to be communicated in writing if it’s easier for you.
• To observe a group session initially if group therapy is a part of your treatment.
• 1-2-1 therapy sessions if you do not feel comfortable participating in group sessions.
• If there is a space you could use, should you need to take a short break and agree in advance how any breaks would work.
• To bring in items that help you to engage in appointments/sessions e.g., fidget toys