Is there a link between ADHD and overeating? 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There is also scientific evidence to support a link between ADHD and obesity. Eating disorders associated with overeating include bulimia nervosa, known as bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Both of these conditions involve eating large amounts of food in a short period. They can severely affect a person’s mental and physical health. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that can produce a range of symptoms relating to the inability to focus, impulsive or hyperactive behavior, or both. Keep reading to learn about the link between ADHD and overeating, including the causes and treatments. Can ADHD lead to overeating Share on PinterestCappi Thompson/Getty ImagesAs ADHD involves difficulty with staying focused, impulsive behavior, or both, people with the condition may find it hard to prioritize and plan meals. They may eat impulsively or find it difficult to notice when they need to eat. If they leave it too long between meals, they can end up extremely hungry when they finally notice that their body is in need of energy. This can result in overeating. Evidence to support the connection between ADHD and overeating includes a 2017 study in BMC Psychiatry that showed a high frequency of ADHD symptoms among people with eating disorders, especially those with conditions involving binging and purging. A 2017 systematic review in Clinical Psychology Review found evidence of a link between ADHD and disordered eating — especially overeating. In particular, the researchers reported a link between the impulsivity symptoms of ADHD and behaviors associated with bulimia. In 2019, the authors of a study in PLOS ONE found that people with a type of anorexia nervosa that involves binging and purging had the highest rates of ADHD symptoms and experienced sustained attention deficits. Research from 2018 found that after taking demographic variables and other psychiatric health problems into account, there was still a statistically significant link between ADHD and bulimia. Causes of overeating with ADHD Researchers have not yet been able to confirm the exact reasons for the link between ADHD and overeating. However, they believe that the links between ADHD and eating disorders could be due to the fact that people with ADHD often also have other psychiatric disorders. The findings of a 2020 study provide another possible reason for the link. This study showed that overeating and raised levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine play a role in the relationship between ADHD and obesity. Dopamine is part of the reward system in the brain, and people with obesity may experience greater reward from eating. This tallies with a 2019 narrative review in Brain Sciences, which found evidence of a significant relationship between ADHD and obesity in adults. How to treat or manage ADHD and overeating Doctors may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for people with ADHD and compulsive overeating. Research shows that this type of talk therapy can be effective for treating disordered eating, as well as ADHD and obesity. For example, a 2018 study reported the following benefits of CBT, which lasted for at least 5 months after the course of therapy:reduced ADHD symptomsimproved executive functionreduced anxiety and depression symptoms Additionally, a 2019 study notes that experts regard CBT as the first-line treatment for binge eating disorder and bulimia. A 2021 randomized controlled trial in Frontiers in Nutrition showed that an obesity treatment program involving CBT — which the participants received alongside physical training, nutritional advice, and physical therapy — was more effective than treatment programs involving only physical training or lectures about health. Doctors may also prescribe medication for some people who have ADHD and an eating disorder that involves overeating. Some medications treat both of these conditions. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially authorized the stimulant lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of ADHD. However, they later approved it for the treatment of adults with binge eating disorder. Other symptoms of ADHD The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) splits most of its ADHD diagnostic criteria into two categories. The first is inattention, and the second is hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is possible to link these criteria with forgetting to eat for a long period and then eating an excessive amount due to extreme hunger. Difficulty with prioritizing and planning meals could also be related to these symptoms. The ADHD criteria regarding inattention are:often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school, at work, or during other activitiesoften has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activitiesoften does not seem to listen when a person speaks to them directlyoften does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplaceoften has trouble organizing tasks and activitiesoften avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over an extended periodoften loses things necessary for tasks and activities, such as school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, or cell phonesoften easily becomes distractedis often forgetful in daily activities The ADHD criteria relating to hyperactivity and impulsivity are:often squirms in seat or fidgets with or taps hands or feet often leaves their seat in situations when people expect them to remain seatedoften runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriateis often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietlyis often “on the go” and acting as though “driven by a motor”often talks excessivelyoften blurts out an answer before the end of a questionoften has trouble waiting their turnoften interrupts or intrudes on others Some of the above behaviors are much more likely in children. For example, adolescents and adults may remain seated when necessary but appear restless. Seeking help People with ADHD and their families can reach out to a range of nonprofit organizations for help and support, including:American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryAttention Deficit Disorder AssociationAmerican Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychiatric AssociationCHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) For people with eating disorders and their families, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website provides:a helpline with trained volunteersan online screening tool to determine whether support is necessaryinformation on how to get started on the road to recoveryinformation on finding treatmentguidance on helping someone with an eating disorder ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) also provides a helpline, recovery mentorship program, and support groups. Summary Overeating occasionally is not usually a problem. However, it can become a problem for people with ADHD, who might find it difficult to control this behavior. Research also shows a link between ADHD and obesity. Overeating may be a symptom of an eating disorder, such as binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa. The FDA has approved the drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of both binge eating disorder and ADHD. Research also shows that the talk therapy CBT can be an effective treatment for eating disorders, ADHD, and obesity. If a person has symptoms of ADHD, an eating disorder, or both, they should contact a doctor. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Mental HealthADHD / ADDNutrition / DietObesity / Weight Loss / Fitness 11 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Agras, W. S. (2019). Cognitive behavior therapy for the eating disorders [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31046920/Anastopoulos, A. D., et al. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for college students with ADHD: Temporal stability of improvements in functioning following active treatment [Abstract]. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1087054717749932#Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/index.htmlCortese, S. (2019). The association between ADHD and obesity: Intriguing, progressively more investigated, but still puzzling. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826981/dos Santos Moraes, A., et al. (2021). Cognitive behavioral approach to treat obesity: A randomized clinical trial. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.611217/full#h1Guerdjikova, A. I., et al. (2016). Novel pharmacologic treatment in acute binge eating disorder - role of lisdexamfetamine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4841437/Halevy-Yosef, R., et al. (2019). The complexity of the interaction between binge-eating and attention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6481844/Kaisari, P., et al. (2017). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disordered eating behaviour: A systematic review and a framework for future research. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027273581630232XPatte, K. A., et al. (2016). A behavioral genetic model of the mechanisms underlying the link between obesity and symptoms of ADHD [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26794671/Svedlund, N. E., et al. (2017). Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adult eating disorder patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5240294/Ziobrowski, H., et al. (2018). Associations between ADHD and eating disorders in relation to comorbid psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29172099/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — By Lauren Hellicar on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the symptoms of ADHD in adults?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. 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