ADHD and Binge Eating Disorder

AshGirl · 2022-09-09T18:06:35+00:00

I've just got my ADHD diagnosis (privately), and the psychiatrist has also diagnosed depression and binge eating disorder. Does anyone else have this diagnosis? I'll be starting Elvanse soon which I know is used for BED in the US. Feel a bit all over the place about the diagnoses. It's not a surprise but it still feels like quite a heavy weight(!) and I haven't shared it with my best friend, although I told her about the ADHD. There's still so much stigma about BED and the idea that you should just 'move more and eat less'!

mscampbelle · 10/09/2022 00:24

Hopefully someone will be along soon, I'd love to know more too.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 24/09/2022 22:03

I have this - my psych said the BED was a way of getting dopamine. Makes sense, I've been through weigh management and counselling for the eating, and none of it made any difference to me because I knew about how to cook and eat, its impulsive and trying to relax, not an eating disorder.

Elvanse cut the bingeing by about 70% instantly. Amazing.

Original poster

AshGirl · 25/09/2022 09:21

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 24/09/2022 22:03

I have this - my psych said the BED was a way of getting dopamine. Makes sense, I've been through weigh management and counselling for the eating, and none of it made any difference to me because I knew about how to cook and eat, its impulsive and trying to relax, not an eating disorder.

Elvanse cut the bingeing by about 70% instantly. Amazing.

Thanks @vivariumvivariumsvivaria . I have found the Elvanse helpful as well, though it is very strange to be eating like a 'normal' person.

Did you have any specific ED counselling / therapy? I also know lots about cooking and nutrition, but I am thinking about trying to access a specialist ED psychologist or similar. I have a counsellor who is great but not massively helpful around my food issues.

OP posts:

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 25/09/2022 15:08

No, in fact, once I had my ADHD diagnosis the ED team dumped me because I didn't fall into their remit. I don't have a BED that would respond to what they do, so they had nothing to offer me.

Which I understand, but, FFS. Now what?

I'm about 2 stones lighter, and my self reading and you tubing means I am much better at recognising patterns that lead to bingeing.

I am trying to exercise, trying to sleep, trying to get a routine. It is going to take some time, but I do think it would be easier with some support! I'm middle aged, trying to sort a routine now is a challenge!

There are so many women in the same position as us, it's a huge market for some fit pro or dietician who wants to make some cash!

IAmWibliWobli · 26/09/2022 01:55

I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression and BED last year. I immediately started taking Elvanse and it's been life changing.. the diagnosis on its own made me feel so much more in control, understanding why I was BE, indeed, the dopamine hunt.. I've lost 3 stone and haven't been dieting.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 26/09/2022 10:00

Do you find it becomes less effective in time? I am more scatty and Icant decide if that's because I am more aware arm more symptomatic.

Original poster

AshGirl · 26/09/2022 18:33

IAmWibliWobli · 26/09/2022 01:55

I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, depression and BED last year. I immediately started taking Elvanse and it's been life changing.. the diagnosis on its own made me feel so much more in control, understanding why I was BE, indeed, the dopamine hunt.. I've lost 3 stone and haven't been dieting.

Agree @IAmWibliWobli - I have found the diagnosis empowering in a way. I can finally accept that my relationship with food is disordered and that it isn't just about trying harder, being more disciplined, just getting my act together etc

My counsellor said that she didn't agree with the BED diagnosis, which I found quite hurtful and invalidating

OP posts:

Original poster

AshGirl · 26/09/2022 18:35

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 25/09/2022 15:08

No, in fact, once I had my ADHD diagnosis the ED team dumped me because I didn't fall into their remit. I don't have a BED that would respond to what they do, so they had nothing to offer me.

Which I understand, but, FFS. Now what?

I'm about 2 stones lighter, and my self reading and you tubing means I am much better at recognising patterns that lead to bingeing.

I am trying to exercise, trying to sleep, trying to get a routine. It is going to take some time, but I do think it would be easier with some support! I'm middle aged, trying to sort a routine now is a challenge!

There are so many women in the same position as us, it's a huge market for some fit pro or dietician who wants to make some cash!

Ridiculous that you would be denied access to services because of your ADHD diagnosis. It sounds like you are doing the work on your own, which is amazing, but it seems very unfair that you have to go solo

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vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 27/09/2022 14:27

It does to me too, @AshGirl but I'm mostly relieved to have a reason why none of it really fitted in the first place.

Most of the people I met at the ED service either had trauma or no clue about what a portion was or how to cook. So, the emotional management stuff was not very helpful, in fact, mindfulness makes me anxious and counselling makes me angry - which according to my psychiatrist is an ADHD thing.

I cook well, I understand nutrition, I don't have trigger foods, I've been seeking the "nothing" from being stuffed. So, they are focussed on "how do you feel when you binge" and I only have "nothing, I feel nothing and I think nothing" as an answer. Which doesn't give them anything to work from in their model, you know?

I am reading Atomic Habits by James Clear and aiming that by this time next year I will have built a habit of swimming (that turns my brain off, the mindless up and down and up and down works), cleaning (I live in chaos) and bullet journaling (started that, seems to work pretty well. I don't do it the way the you tubers suggest, it's very basic and not at all pretty, but all my scribbles are in once place and having an index of "where to find random thoughts about x, y or z" has been hugely useful. Hugely. Plus, it showed me how MUCH I was trying to do. I had no idea before that. Ridiculous.

deedeeweewoo · 06/04/2023 13:36

Hiya,

It could be that you just enjoy the feeling of being fit to burst? I've found I'm binge eating even more since starting Elvanse. So fed up and I came here to see if I can buy any, I filled out my phone and it was sent before 7am on 3 April and they still haven't sent the meds. Panicking now.