Next Steps for my ADHD and Eating Disorder?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition of inattention and distractibility, with or without accompanying hyperactivity. There are 3 basic forms of ADHD described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5): inattentive; hyperactive-impulsive; and combined. According to statistics, approximately 11 percent of students, aged 4-17 years of age, have been diagnosed with ADHD by 2011 in the United States and ADHD is known to be three to five times more common in boys than in girls. Symptoms usually initiate in childhood before age 12 however there is no specific age limit to when a diagnosis must be made. ADHD is known as a childhood disorder, however at least 10-20% of children will carry this disorder into adulthood and approximately 2-7 percent of adults are newly diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD may lead to difficulties with academics or employment and social difficulties that can profoundly affect normal development. While many individuals have symptoms such as restlessness, the inability to concentrate or hold attention, and impulsivity, there is rarely a connection made to eating disorders, however, studies have demonstrated there, are commonalities between ADHD and eating disorders.
Sensory processing, eating disorders and ADHD
Many individuals who struggle with ADHD typically exhibit irregularity with the interoceptive sense, which is how the brain interprets signals and cues from the rest of the body. For example, cues transmitted to the brain about thirst, hunger, pain, and fatigue may be distorted in a person who struggles with ADHD. When a child or teenagers misinterprets signals about their body’s basic needs they can develop abnormal behaviors, specifically if there is a disruption in their hunger cues. An individual who is unable to recognize when they are hungry or when they are full may eat abnormally, under or overeat, or develop food aversions in response to a malfunction with their interoceptive signals.
Food sensitivities and ADHD
Individuals with ADHD may be more sensitive to stimuli, scents, textures, flavors, and foods. As a result, a person with ADHD may not as readily accept certain foods, and these behaviors can manifest as restricting or avoiding certain type of foods.
Inattention and impulsiveness
These characteristics associated with ADHD can make it difficult for an adult or child to maintain a healthy diet or eat adequately. For example, a child who is restless at the dinner table may avoid eating out of anxiousness or restlessness. Impulsivity can result in impulsive eating behaviors such as binge eating, restricting, and even purging.
Having structured meal times and planning ahead can be a helpful way to enforce healthy eating and habits around the table.
ADHD can often be a root problem for eating disorder behaviors, and treatment for ADHD can often help alleviate symptoms related to the eating disorder. For individuals who struggle with ADHD, food may become a way of self-medicating or exercising control in an environment that feels chaotic or out of balance. Eating disorders are not just about food but rather they are strongly linked with an underlying trigger or alternative disorder such as ADHD and treating the underlying disorder can help treat the eating disorder at hand.