ADHD, Binge Eating, Uncomfortable in my Body

[smlawrence0413]

I am wondering why binge eating is so common with having ADHD. Is it the tendency to be impulsive? The struggle with executive functioning? I want to understand why I struggle to know when I'm hungry and full, and why eating food to the point of binging in the moment feels therapeutic, even though I feel terrible mentally, emotional, and physically afterwards. I feel so uncomfortable in my body and hate wearing almost all clothing, which feels equally uncomfortable. I dread the thought of gaining weight again, and having to buy new clothes. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I'm trying to understand why I function the way I do. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[EJ_C]

Hey! This one is a fairly personal one for me...

Some of it im guessing is the hyper focus? And the way our minds can run all over the place

Though, I don't binge eat, I used to have an ED and even to this day, weigh my self a crazy amount and will make sure my weight is reduced and hate my body.

I don't have any other tips, but I guess I wanted to say I have ADHD and you're not alone.

[BobJ72]

yeah I struggle with it too…mine is very mindless binge eating that makes me feel awful afterwards I’m a few different ways. Years ago I tried the whole 30 (before being diagnosed w ADHD), and for a while I felt great! I’m not sure what happened…maybe should try again🤷‍♂️

[ronosof in reply to BobJ72]

I felt the same way. Maybe whole 30 isn’t a sustainable way to live? I’ve had a healthier time outsourcing some of my meals, but I’m having a challenge even keeping up with that. Did you try again?

#falldown7timesstandup8

[smlawrence0413]

i am currently in two programs learning about intuitive eating, which has been very challenging because i seem so disconnected from my hunger and fullness cues

[wtfadhd]

I struggle with every prob every other impulsive behavior besides binge eating. if i had a natural love of food then im sure i would have that issue too 😭

its my understanding that binge eating n all other impulsive behaviors are attempts to get a dopamine hit from our dopamine deprived and starving brains.

alot of people have eating disorders and not ADHD and therefore, their compulsion to eat is rooted in different etiology. So your eating issue could or could not be explained by ADHD.

ADHD causes us to seek pleasure. not bc we are undisciplined or wretched, but because our brains dont make enough dopamine for us to easily moderate the things we personally find pleasurable ie sex, drugs, shopping, eating, working, etc etc.

❤️ experts seem to agree that for ADHD n controlling impulse, its all about meds n mindfulness.

im really not doing well with controlling my impulsive behaviors right now too. so im right there with ya on the struggle bus.

[GrowandSew in reply to wtfadhd]

yep, We are just dopamine hunting; because (as you rightly said) “ADHD causes us to seek pleasure. not bc we are undisciplined or wretched, but because our brains dont make enough dopamine for us to easily moderate the things we personally find pleasurable ie sex, drugs, shopping, eating, working, etc etc.”

[BobJ72]

Meds and mindfulness...yep! I generally have a good day when I medicate and meditate Your comment makes me want to keep an accurate journal/diary of the things I do during what I consider to be good days (like when I don't binge eat, or can't seem to get off of whatever media platform I'm caught it, actually make progress on a project, etc) and discover what things during the day seem to give me the best defense against impulsive behaviors...is it exercise? Meditation? Sex? Maybe housecleaning? I don't know. I feel so disorganized much of the time, I feel like I need a coach or manager to tell me what to do and keep me on track lol.

[Coonj in reply to BobJ72]

Meds and mindfulness - medicate and meditate. Nice groupingI know the consequences that occur when we don't take care like we should. Never take med like supposed , meditaoon is easier if i do moving meditation such as tai chi. That may good to try

My age group meditation was never a thing. Pretty sure never heard the word spoken at the dinner table

[emiL1234]

good news for you: Vyvanse and Concerta will make you forget to eat during at least 12 hours a day!!!

[Old_Owl]

I'm in this camp. I've done a lot of mindless eating, not knowing how much I have eaten until the food is gone. Additionally, I never feel full unless I totally over-stuff myself to the point of being really uncomfortable. On the other side, I don't feel hungry unless I not eaten for days. While there are behavioral factors in play for me, my ADHD brain chemistry is a factor as well (or so my own personal hypothesis).On meds I now have full sensations I've never had before and with mindfulness added to the meds I'm able to control that "out of control" eating which has been part of my life for a long time.

Still a process, and still learning- but feel I'm making progress

[smlawrence0413]

i really appreciate this community's authenticity. your vulnerability is a gift to me. i know i am not alone, but there is something more comforting about connecting with people who can relate to the direct and indirect struggle(s) with adhd. i have a very addictive personality and do fear taking prescribed meds daily. i am going to be really intentional about mindfulness work for now. i actually made a point to stop and do breathe work yesterday before each time that i ate and it helped way more than i imagined it would.

[Girl_Who_Misses_Much]

Great question and such thoughtful replies! I got some great tips and can identify with so much! Thanks everyone!! 🥰

I’m 44 and have struggled with disordered eating and undiagnosed ADHD since I was a kid. Binging is and has always been a huge struggle; self-loathing, lack of executive function and the instant dopamine rush I get when binging are to blame in my situation.

I was officially diagnosed with ADHD 8 years ago and have found that all of the “mental disorder” diagnoses that providers gave me throughout my earlier adulthood can all be connected to ADHD!! 🤯 The more I read, the more I realize how true that is!!!

ADDitude magazine’s website has been an incredible resource for educating myself and my loved ones. This is an article from October on the recently found correlation between ADHD and eating disorders…

additudemag.com/adhd-linked...

🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[Coonj]

I don't really binge on food. I eat at night though