Adult ADD and disordered eating

[lurchermummy]

I think I have had a breakthrough in understanding myself but it's left me feeling confused and a bit sad. I am pretty sure (done lots of research and reading) that I have ADD (not ADHD). I have developed my own coping strategies and can cope fine in most ways, apart from one big one. I also have what I think is an eating disorder - I literally can't seem to stop eating, not bingeing as such but just constant non stop grazing. I'm fat and fed up but I just can't stop. I've read some articles about a link between the two. Anyone else struggling with this? Any tips to help me? I can't discuss with DH as he doesn't really believe in ADD or things like it and just thinks I'm greedy and disorganised! Thank you.

Yes I identify with this massively but can't help any further I'm afraid...sorry!
In other areas of my life I cope by giving myself a really tight structure to work within. Lots of lists, jobs broken down into small pieces then dates and times allocated to each. I've wondered if I could apply the same sort of approach to eating but giving myself food rules have been a disaster in the past.

If you have ADD then this might be explained as dopamine seeking behaviour. In which case I guess you'd need to either get on medication or look at other sources of dopamine. Alternatively, could you swap your grazing foods for cucumber etc?

I also have ADHD and an eating disorder and haven't really had much success dealing with it.

It’s very interesting. I think I am in a similar position. One thing I have learned is that there is a physical side to it as well in terms of the addictive nature of processed foods and junk foods. It’s much easier not to snack and binge if you cut them out and prioritise regulating your blood sugar at every meal eg protein, slow release carbs. I too have developed lots of effective strategies in this other areas apart from food. I have read reports from others on here that when they started meds for ADHD it helped massively with eating patterns and weight loss.

Thanks yes I think the dopamine thing might be it. Rules don't work for me I've done a million diets and can't stick to any of them.

I'm not massively happy at the moment for various reasons and am also post menopausal, my eating feels out of control. Today I ate some Twiglets then a slice of cheese then two chocolate digestives then about 5 ryvita with butter, then an apple, then a handful of nuts etc etc...none of it terrible in itself but literally one thing after the other. I felt sick but was still looking for food. It's awful I feel like it's my guilty secret.

I'm the same. I've never dieted. If I start a diet, I break it by midday. I feel constantly hungry. It's much easier when I'm on my own. I just buy healthy food. But DH keeps a regular supply of crisps and biscuits in the house - I wish he wouldn't but he just smirks and says, 'You don't have to eat them.' Bit I do,. Because the message in my brain is like someone tapping me on the shoulder all day long saying, 'There's crisps downstairs you know. Do you want crisps now?'

A friend got medication for her ADD and she said the first thing she noticed was it switched off the message in her brain that said 'I'm hungry. I'm hungry' all day long. She lost a fair bit of weight.

Thanks that's exactly like me! I'm a nightmare at situations when there is food in front of me like a cheeseboard. I have no stop mechanism. In terms of medication can anyone tell me options - can I just go to the GP or do I need a psychologist? Thanks so much I'm actually excited to have an explanation for my behaviour!

Very interested to read this. I have self diagnosed myself to have ADHD as an adult nearly 15 yeas ago now (mind you when I rang my mum to tell her this shocking breaking news she said 'oh we've always known you've got that Oncey!' 🙄)

Anyway I've always had an unlimited appetite I was called the mange toute as a kid.

I've found cutting out all carbs especially sugar helps and having a fairly boring eating routine is very helpful.
So coffee and oat milk for breakfast
peanut butter, rice cakes and celery for snacks
Tuna Mayo salad for lunch
Casserole/Stir fry/curry/steak/chicken & veg for tea.
I'd have no choc or crisps in the house but my teens see this as a human rights issue.

Ps. Afternoon snack is 2 x sesame ryvita and wafer thin slices of extra strong cheddar with a smear of pickle

Thanks yes I think low carb helps me too - I bought Tom Kerridges Dopamine Diet cookbook today, maybe it will help. And I know exercise also helps but reminding myself why is useful.

I've realised I do a lot of sensory eating if I'm stressed so try to find things that take a bit of chewing liked dried mango.

List absolutely everything you consumed yesterday. Everything.

Today… refer back to that list and just once, omit something. Just once.

Then tomorrow, 2x

baby steps

List it here. So you can’t tear up!

How are you getting in with the Dopamine Diet @lurchermummy?

I think I have ADHD, both DC are currently going through the diagnostic process and frankly, it would explain a lot and I too seem to graze constantly.

One thing that has helped me is the C25K as running seems to help me to self regulate a bit better.

Hi thanks for asking. To be honest I found a lot of Tom Kerridges recipes a bit odd, lots of pork and pickles etc but I am generally eating lower carb and I am also going to the gym regularly which I am definitely feeling the benefit of. I still find I'm a bit all or nothing though when it comes to food- if I fall off the wagon and eat sugar/bread/carbs it takes me ages to get back onto a healthy plan. It's very addictive I find.

I am in a similar situation, constantly eating. Not because I am hungry but because I can, there is something interesting in the cupboard, bored stressed, feeling nothing at all..I think.I forgot how hunger feels!

I read that cutting out sugar from your diet as much as possible helps with concentration. I don’t know about ADD but after the pain of a sugar and caffeine detox I did (off the wagon again now) I felt like I was able to concentrate and focus a lot more than normal.