The Surprising Effect ADHD Has on Eating
ADHD can impact your life in a variety of ways. Most people recognize it as a disorder that can make it difficult to concentrate and stay focused. But, there are some surprising effects that you might not realize about ADHD right away—including the impact it has on eating.
It’s not uncommon for people with ADHD to struggle with different types of disordered eating. Sometimes, the condition can lead to a full-fledged eating disorder.
But why the connection? What does ADHD have to do with food, and why can it create such a complex relationship with what you eat?
Food Sensitivities
Some people with ADHD are hypersensitive to certain foods. They become extremely aware of the taste, smell, and textures of each food and will subconsciously label them as “good” and “bad.”
Unfortunately, foods labeled as “good” can often be unhealthy, leading to poor dietary habits, including binge eating. It tends to be hard for people with ADHD to resist foods that are tempting to them. Their meals seem more rewarding, so they want to eat more, even when they know they shouldn’t.
Trying to Manage Symptoms
Certain lifestyle changes can make it easier to manage ADHD symptoms, especially in children. So, it’s not uncommon for parents to want to monitor what their child with ADHD eats in an effort to ease the effects of the disorder.
That might include things like cutting out gluten or sugar. While it’s not necessarily a bad practice, it can lead to obsessive behaviors in a child. They will have to learn to read and understand every ingredient of everything they eat. As that carries over into adulthood, it could lead to an eating disorder like anorexia. People with that disorder pay close attention to everything they consume.
Sensory Processing Issues
Some people with ADHD struggle with cues to the brain from the rest of the body. That includes thirst and hunger.
Most people without ADHD recognize when they’re hungry or thirsty. But, for those with ADHD, those signals can become crossed and misinterpreted. That can lead to a variety of disordered eating problems. That person might not recognize when they are full, so they’ll continuously eat too much.
Or, they might not ever really feel hungry, so they don’t eat enough to sustain themselves. Some can also develop food aversions because of those misinterpreted signals.
What Can You Do?
If you have a child with ADHD and you’re worried about how their eating habits could be affecting their health, don’t hesitate to take action immediately. One of the best things to do is to focus on symptom management. Pay attention to your child’s eating habits and how they might be connected to ADHD. Ask yourself if they are exhibiting any signs of disordered eating. Or, consider whether they might be struggling with other mental health issues, like depression.
If you’re an adult with ADHD and you feel it’s impacted your eating habits, stand up for yourself and your health. Disordered eating is a very real and dangerous thing at any age. While symptom management is also important for adults, it’s even more important to recognize you don’t have to do it on your own.
Seeking out a therapist who specializes in ADHD can be beneficial for you or your child. Working with someone who understands how ADHD can impact your eating can make it easier to combat symptoms and develop a strategy that implements healthy eating habits. Doing so can help you feel more in control of your disorder. Not only will that benefit your mental well-being, but adopting healthier eating habits will improve your physical health, too.
Reach out to learn more about ADHD treatment.
