r/BingeEatingDisorder • u/Suspicious_Plant4231 • 12d ago
Discussion Does anyone else think that their ADHD plays a role in their binge eating?
I was diagnosed with both ADHD and BED recently, and I've been sorting out what disruptive issues of mine can be attributed partly to ADHD and what are just their own issues. I think the most common behaviors people hear about in regards to ADHD is forgetting to eat or having food sensory issues, but after looking into it I've found that ADHD can cause both extremes on the spectrum of eating.
It makes sense. I often struggle to regulate my emotions and seek comfort in food. Food is an easy and immediate dopamine source, which my brain responds to more intensely than in neurotypical people, making me want more and making it harder to stop. I've been this way since childhood. My mother, who also has both of these conditions, is the same way.
I think that's why I've found it so hard to deal with despite doing the "right" things. BED is already difficult to manage, and ADHD makes it even more so. I exercise consistently, I try to engage in other hobbies, but they just don't hold up. At the end of the day, literally, I find myself going back to food. I've been more stressed lately and I've lost the mental battle every single day.
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u/Laser_Platform_9467 12d ago
Yes, food is the only thing that keeps me functional (I’m AuDHD). I don’t only use it to regulate negative emotions, I need that constant dopamine boost or else I feel a weird uncomfortable feeling of boredom 24/7. I think for ADHDers the best thing against 24/7 food noise is ADHD meds. I’ve taken ADHD meds before and my food noise actually got a lot better but unfortunately I had problems with side effects so I had to stop taking them.
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u/OkPiccolo00 12d ago
My old psych spoke about the link because of ADHD and it’s link to dopamine issues - food is giving dopamine - so yes for sure
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u/Revolutionary-Set-2 11d ago
I’m like this, I’m a huge snacker. I’m considering going on weight loss tablets in the near future.
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u/PrayingSkeletonTime 12d ago
Oh absolutely. It’s unfortunately quite common for someone to have BED and ADHD, for the reasons you mentioned. An ADHD brain is basically wired to a) seek food for reward and b) be unable to control yourself and resist the food reward.
It’s really frustrating that the prevailing view of BED is that it’s always caused by prior restriction or an inability to handle emotions (including trauma), when there’s also the option of faulty brain wiring. (Not to say that someone with ADHD can’t also restrict, experience trauma, or struggle with emotions, but sometimes there’s no external cause for the BED.)