ADHD and Binge Eating: Why They’re Connected (and What Could Help)
If you have ADHD and find yourself struggling with episodes of binge eating, you’re far from alone. A growing body of research suggests that people with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience disordered eating patterns, especially binge eating and loss of control eating, than those without ADHD.1
But what does that actually mean — and more importantly, what can you do about it?
In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind the connection, break down the driving factors, and offer practical strategies to help you build healthier patterns with food — all in a compassionate, evidence-informed way.
What the Research Says
Studies have consistently shown an association between ADHD and binge eating behaviors:
A systematic review found that ADHD symptoms are positively associated with overeating behaviors, including binge eating, with moderate strength of evidence across 75 studies.2
ADHD has been linked to higher rates of binge eating disorder (BED) and loss of control eating, particularly when impulsivity is present.1
Meta-analyses indicate that people with ADHD have a 3.8-fold increased risk of any eating disorder compared with those without ADHD — and the risk is highest for binge eating behavior.3
While researchers are still exploring why this link exists, evidence points to multiple overlapping mechanisms that help explain the connection.
Why ADHD and Binge Eating Often Occur Together
Here are five key factors that researchers and clinicians believe help explain the link:
1. Impulsivity and Reward Sensitivity
ADHD often involves impulsivity — acting without much planning or self-monitoring. Many people with ADHD also experience a heightened response in the brain’s reward system, especially around food, which may make highly palatable foods harder to resist.4
This blend of impulsivity and reward sensitivity can make binge episodes more likely.
2. Executive Function Challenges
ADHD affects planning, organization, and memory — all of which play a role in eating patterns. Tasks like deciding when and what to eat, preparing meals, or noticing hunger and fullness cues can become much harder when executive function is impaired.
3. Emotional Regulation Struggles
Many people with ADHD also experience intense emotions or difficulties regulating mood. When stressful or overwhelming feelings hit, food (especially high-sugar or high-carb foods) can become a quick emotional regulator, even if only temporarily.
4. Irregular Eating Patterns
Forgetfulness, hyperfocus, or getting absorbed in tasks — classic ADHD traits — can lead to skipping meals or eating erratically. Going too long without eating raises physiological hunger, which makes bingeing episodes more likely.
5. Shared Neurobiological Factors
There’s some evidence that ADHD and binge eating share neurobiological pathways involving dopamine and executive control networks in the brain, suggesting the connection isn’t just psychological but also biological.2
Does Everyone With ADHD Experience Binge Eating?
Not everyone with ADHD will develop binge eating disorder — and having occasional episodes of overeating doesn’t automatically mean you have a clinical disorder.
However, if you notice that:
you frequently eat large amounts of food in a short time,
you feel out of control during eating,
you experience distress or shame afterward,
…it’s worth exploring these patterns with a professional who understands both ADHD and eating behavior.
Evidence-Aligned Strategies That Help
1. Support Your Executive Function Around Eating
Set consistent eating times.
Prepare default meals and snacks you enjoy.
Use reminders or alarms for meals.
2. Reduce Shame Around Eating
Shame can fuel secrecy and avoidance. Acknowledge that ADHD makes food regulation harder, but it doesn’t mean you lack willpower. Compassion matters.
3. Eat Regularly to Prevent Extreme Hunger
Planning balanced meals spaced throughout the day can stabilize blood sugar and reduce the likelihood of automatic binge episodes.
4. Build Urge-Surfing Skills
Instead of trying to suppress cravings, acknowledge them with curiosity and create a short delay (e.g., 5–10 minutes) before acting — this can empower self-regulation over time.
5. Seek Support That Understands Your Brain
Therapies that are ADHD-informed can help you build sustainable eating routines while addressing executive function challenges.
Medication may also be part of treatment for some individuals. For example, stimulant medications used for ADHD are sometimes also approved to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder, indicating overlapping neurobiological pathways.4
Common Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is ADHD actually causing binge eating?
Not exactly. ADHD doesn’t cause binge eating in a direct, linear way, but the traits of ADHD (like impulsivity, emotional regulation problems, or attention challenges) can make binge eating patterns more likely.2
Q: Are there biological reasons for the overlap?
Some research suggests shared neurobiological features between ADHD and binge eating — especially in how the brain processes reward and controls impulses.2
Q: Should I talk to a clinician?
If binge eating is frequent, distressing, or interferes with your life, a clinician experienced in both ADHD and disordered eating can help you understand your patterns and develop effective strategies.
References
Reinblatt SP et al., “Are Eating Disorders Related to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?” Journal of Psychiatry, 2015. Evidence shows higher rates of binge eating behavior in people with ADHD. PMC
Kaisari P et al., “Review: ADHD and Disordered Eating Behaviour,” Clinical Psychology Review, 2017 – systematic review finding a positive association between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating, including binge eating. ScienceDirect
Meta-analysis data indicating increased risk for eating disorders in people with ADHD, especially binge eating behaviors. adhdevidence.org
Research and clinical observations suggest heightened reward system response to food cues in people with ADHD, which may contribute to binge tendencies.
