Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a higher risk of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa eating disorder like anorexia nervosa.
ADHD doesn't cause anorexia, but it does share similarities that can contribute to symptoms.
Managing symptoms starts with an accurate diagnosis. Look for a provider who understands eating disorders and neurodivergence.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that’s characterized by challenges with focus and self-regulation. Symptoms affect people in different ways and may include unhealthy eating behaviors.
Some research shows that having ADHD is associated with an increased risk of developing an eating disorder. ADHD most commonly co-occurs with binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa, but there’s also a notable link between ADHD and anorexia nervosa.
Not everyone with ADHD experiences disordered eating. However, if you do, it’s important to seek attention as soon as possible. Access to timely support can empower you to feel more in control of your thoughts and behaviors with food.
Ways ADHD and anorexia are connected
Anorexia is characterized by restrictive eating. People with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and look for ways to keep their weight as low as possible. ADHD may be more likely to occur with anorexia binge-purge subtype [1]. With this type of anorexia, you restrict the amount of food you eat but also experience episodes of binge eating and purging.
While ADHD doesn't directly cause anorexia, it can share similarities that can contribute to symptoms.
These ADHD traits may lead to restricted dieting or unintentional weight loss:
Sensory issues: ADHD sensory issues can lead you to avoid specific foods. Certain tastes, textures, or smells can be so overwhelming that they turn you off from eating.
Low interoception: It’s also common for people with ADHD to struggle with interoception, the ability to recognize sensations like hunger and thirst. You might go all day without realizing you're hungry.
Executive dysfunction: Planning and time management may not come easy to you. This can result in irregular eating habits and even increase your risk of binge eating.
Medication: ADHD medication is an effective tool for managing symptoms. That said, it can cause side effects like reduced appetite [2].
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Signs of restrictive eating in ADHD
ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness and impulsiveness are associated with restrictive eating habits [3]. These may not be intentional choices to lose weight or limit eating, but they can still influence your mental and physical well-being.
Here are some signs of co-occurring anorexia and ADHD:
You forget to eat. Have you ever been so focused on what was in front of you that you forgot to eat? Maybe you lost track of time or didn’t even realize that you were hungry. While this isn’t unusual for people with ADHD, it’s important to recognize if these behaviors become intentional.
You use food to feel in control. Black-and-white thinking is somewhat common among people with ADHD, and this mindset can extend to your relationship with food.
You follow a strict diet. Some experts believe that dietary choices can impact ADHD symptoms. As a result, you may follow a strict diet that avoids specific foods or ingredients. This type of extreme restrictive eating can lead to significant weight loss.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between typical ADHD and symptoms of an eating disorder.
These signs might be cause for concern:
You’re intentionally restricting food or losing weight in ways that feel hard to control.
You have a fear of gaining weight.
Your eating behaviors are causing medical issues.
Your relationship with food is interfering with daily functioning.
Food and eating cause you significant emotional distress.
How restrictive eating with ADHD can go unnoticed
It's not always easy to recognize symptoms of anorexia, especially when you have ADHD. Because symptoms often overlap, you may attribute weight loss to medication, poor planning, or sensory issues.
Similar misconceptions can occur with anorexia. If you’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms like irritability and lack of focus can be linked to malnutrition. Both conditions are also associated with perfectionism, meaning you hold yourself to unrealistic and unattainable standards. Many people with perfectionist traits mask their challenges, which can make a dual diagnosis even more difficult.
Eventually, you may begin to notice some physical signs of anorexia. These can include:
Dry skin
Brittle nails
Thinning hair
Severe constipation
Low blood pressure
What to do if you’re dealing with ADHD and anorexia
Living with ADHD and anorexia can be overwhelming — especially when shame is preventing you from getting help. If you’re ready to seek support, look for a provider who understands neurodivergence and how ADHD influences eating behaviors. Together, you can create a plan that addresses your unique challenges, strengths, and needs.
Treatment often starts by addressing the eating disorder and any immediate medical concerns. For example, if someone is severely underweight, a provider may first focus on medical stabilization and nutrition support. As recovery progresses, clinicians may also evaluate and treat ADHD symptoms to help support long-term recovery.
Generally speaking, treatment includes some combination of the following:
Talk therapy
Therapy is a powerful tool for both anorexia and ADHD. With the support of your therapist, you’ll develop the skills to challenge irrational thoughts about weight and food. Therapy can also help improve self-awareness, confidence, and coping mechanisms for challenging emotions.
Nutritional counseling
Nutrition therapy is another important component of care. You'll learn to address unhealthy eating behaviors and develop a healthier relationship with food (planning balanced meals and eating more mindfully, for example).
Medication management
ADHD medication is used to manage symptoms challenges with focus and impulsiveness. Once you’ve addressed these symptoms, it may be easier to treat the eating disorder.
Some other coping strategies for ADHD and anorexia include:
Use external eating cues. You may find it helpful to set reminders or associate mealtimes with daily activities.
Pack healthy snacks. Set yourself up for success by keeping healthy, portion-sized snacks with you.
Practice self-compassion. Remember to show yourself kindness and compassion as work through challenging thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Spend time with others. Social support can make a meaningful difference in how we learn, heal, and grow.
It can help for clients to see that control does not have to mean rigid rules around food. Instead, we work on building supportive routines that bring more stability to daily life. This might include consistent meals, simple planning strategies, and tools that help manage ADHD symptoms without relying on restriction.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
Find care with Rula
Having an eating disorder is a serious concern — especially when you don’t have the skills to understand and manage symptoms. That’s where therapy can help. Learning about the connection between ADHD and anorexia can empower you to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
References
- Are Eating Disorders Related to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4777329/
- Using Stimulants for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Clinical Approaches and Challenges https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3733520/
- Associations Between Core Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Both Binge and Restrictive Eating https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5884932/
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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