How do you treat ADHD and eating disorders?

There often isn’t just one solution that treats both ADHD and eating disorders together. It’s common for clinicians to recommend a mixed approach that might include therapy, medication, nutritional counselling, and wider systems of support. 

Therapy

Several therapy methods can help people manage both ADHD symptoms and disordered eating behaviors:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Identifies negative thought patterns and builds healthier eating habits. It’s also used for ADHD to work on impulsivity and improve focus.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Teaches emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. There’s a focus on staying present and managing emotions to better control your behaviour.  

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Can help to align your eating habits to be more in tune with your personal values and goals.

Executive Function Coaching – Helps provide realisable strategies. This can help with meal planning and effective routines.

Family-Based Therapy - This is more commonly used in teens with eating disorders. It helps give families structured support for living with ADHD, as well as recovery-focused eating behaviours.

Medication

Medication for ADHD might be considered to treat people with both ADHD and eating disorders, but it will be carefully monitored for its impact on appetite and eating patterns.

Some EDs, like anorexia, have no approved medication treatments. Treatment options will depend on your individual circumstances and severity of the disorder.

Nutritional counselling

A registered dietitian who specialises in ADHD and eating disorders can help by:

• Creating structured meal plans to prevent binge-restrict cycles.
• Addressing sensory issues and food aversions in ADHD.
• Helping you plan effectively for balanced nutrition - even if appetite is affected by medication.
• Teaching about intuitive eating and mindful food choices.

Support groups

It can be beneficial to connect with others who understand what it's like to have both ADHD and eating disorders.You might try:

• ADHD-specific support groups.
• Eating disorder recovery communities.
• Peer-led online forums where people share experiences and coping strategies.

Finding the right mix

Treating ADHD and eating disorders together is the best way to achieve long-term recovery, so a clinician may recommend a combination of the methods talked about here to help you address both conditions. 

If you or someone you know struggles with ADHD and an eating disorder, seeking specialised care can help.