ADHD and Bulimia: Relationship between attention and eating disorders

The ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), as have found numerous studies, may be associated with other pathologies such as eating disorder (bulimia, in particular) or greater risk of addiction or pathological gambling in the adulthood.

The common thread between ADHD and Bulimia disorders lies in the impulsiveness and inattentiveness associated with ADHD. According to prevalence of the World Health Organization (WHO) is estimates that 6% of people diagnosed with ADHD have throughout his life a history of bulimia nervosa, and 15% of people diagnosed with bulimia nervosa have a history of ADHD throughout his life.

It should be noted that ADHD has nothing to do with the intellectual capacity of a person. In medical terms, it is a neurobiological origin dysfunction caused by the immaturity of the systems responsible for regulating the level of movement, attention and impulsivity.

See also: Akathisia as a movement disorder

ADHD is a behavioral disorder that makes it difficult for those who have it to perform certain tasks, both in the workplace and family (difficulties in maintaining attention, to plan time or organize tasks, tendency to forget where they left things, frequent forgetfulness in daily tasks, difficulties to follow complex instructions and tendency to act without thinking).

ADHD and eating disorders

Why people with ADHD are more vulnerable to bulimic disorders? All eating disorder involves an imbalance in the relationship with food. Several studies have suggested that ADHD may be associated with an impulsive, poorly planned relationship with food. We cannot forget that people with ADHD tend to be more absent-minded and disorganized which does that do not follow some regular schedules of food.

Logically, this makes them more vulnerable to eating disorders and overweight.

In addition, people with ADHD are more impatient when to get instant rewards, something that would achieve with binge eating. When the person does not feel comfortable with his image, or have self-esteem issues and security, impulsive binge eating can give way to purges or provoked vomiting. A conduct which maintained over time can lead to serious physical and emotional problems. Hence the importance, first of all, diagnose ADHD and conducts a multidisciplinary approach involving revising eating behaviors.