ADHD and eating disorders

[Hermanfromguesswho]

Hi
Does anyone have any advice or links to
support for young people (pre teen) struggling with disordered eating probably linked to ADHD?
Im at a loss as to how to support my 11 year old. She’s overweight and is unable to stop the impulsive over eating. I feel I make things worse sometimes by trying to help. Not sure where to turn for help 😢

Is she on medication? Stimulants reduce appetite, so children with ADHD on meds are usually very thin.

If your daughter is 11, is she still at primary? I found primary much easier to manage, because they eat what and how much you give them. Things became more difficult during secondary. So in case she is not at secondary yet, you want to get this sorted now.

Do you give her lots of raw veg? I found that helpful, because my daughter could eat a lot of them without it becoming a problem.

She’s at high school (very young in the year) and is not medicated for the ADHD

That's tricky. Can your daughter tell the difference between being hungry and being anxious? My daughter struggled with that and would eat to calm herself down. Chew necklaces, fidget toys etc. can be helpful. We did a lot of "Are you sure you want more? You look quite full to me. Feel into your tummy. What does that feel like?"

Depending on how overweighed she is, you could consider medication. "The parent's guide to ADHD medicines" is an incredibly helpful book.

www.additudemag.com/adhd-and-obesity-how-to-end-binge-eating/
chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-adults/brain-reward-response-linked-to-binge-eating-and-adhd/

I find that it's the chewing that helps to regulate me so would she be willing to try things like dried mango or raw carrot to chew?

Has she tried medication?

Do you do anything else to try and regulate her together like trying the C25K together, doing yoga or mediation?