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How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

ale_inmelbSenior Contributor02 May 2025, 4:26 pm AEST

How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been looking into the relationship between ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and eating disorders, especially ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), and I’m hoping to understand this connection better. Specifically, I’m curious about how ADHD might contribute to the development of ARFID—or even other types of eating disorders—over time.

What factors (like sensory sensitivities, anxiety, emotional regulation issues, or executive dysfunction) might cause someone with ADHD to develop ARFID or other eating difficulties?

For those with personal experience, did symptoms appear gradually, or were they linked to specific life stages or events?

Are there particular risks for different types of eating disorders (e.g., overeating, undereating, bulimia, anorexia) in people with ADHD?

I’m also wondering about the best path to get a proper diagnosis. Would this typically be done through a psychologist, psychiatrist, or an eating disorder specialist? Any tips on starting the process, especially when ADHD has already been diagnosed (y ADHD has been diagnosed 6 years ago), would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance for sharing your experiences, insights, or trusted resources on this topic!

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In response to: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

ale_inmelbSenior Contributor02 May 2025, 10:39 pm AEST

Re: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

@Bow

Thank you for all the resources. I'll make sure to give them a go.

In response to: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

SillySausageSenior Contributor03 May 2025, 5:07 pm AEST

Re: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

G'day Ale!

Just some ideas for you.

ADHD is usually treated with medications to increase dopamine in a specific area of the brain at the front where our decisions are made and impulsivity tends to come from. Trouble is these medications also tend to have an affect on a group of molecules called catacholemines, which include adrenaline, a molecule responsible for the "fight or flight" response. Putting it extremely simply, when we are in a "fight or flight" mode we are no longer in the opposite mode of "rest and digest", so essentially appetite is suppressed by these types of drugs. It's difficult to have an appetite with butterflies in the tummy.

Having said that, kids with ADHD are more likely to be found somewhere on the autism spectrum. In this case picky eating can be a result of sensory issues to food like colour, texture, taste, size etc.

Talk to the practitioner who diagnosed/prescribed your child first and foremost. Also strict parameters surrounding meals need to be adhered to. Which means meals at the same time every day, a certain percentage of a meal must be consumed every sitting, and a certain amount of time per sitting must be enforced also. So not eating meals for ten minutes then TV for twenty minutes, then the meal for another five minutes, and setting a reasonable amount of time in which a meal should be consumed. It's ok to be the last one to complete a meal out of the family but an hour after the last family member might be an issue.

Talk to the practitioner who diagnosed/prescribed your child first and foremost.

God bless!

In response to: Re: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

tymeModerator04 May 2025, 4:27 pm AEST

Re: How Can ADHD Lead to ARFID (or Other Eating Disorders) Over Time? Advice on Diagnosis?

Hey @ale_inmelb ,

It's good that OSHC cover psychology. Defo start looking for a therapist because wait times can be lengthy.

I have to book months in advance.

It's good to see you so proactive in getting yourself support.

@Bow , thanks for sharing those supports and resources.

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