From Distraction to Disorder: The ADHD-Eating Disorder Connection
Presented by Prof Heba Essawy M.D. Psychiatry, CEDS, Prof of Psychiatry, Medical School Ain Shams University Cairo-Egypt
Meeting Details:
When: Friday, October 31, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Where: Zoom Link provided after registration Course will be held live and in English. Must register by Wednesday 10/29/2025 For technical assistance, please email: maricarmen@iaedpfoundation.com
For registration assistance, please email: information@iaedpfounation.com AbstractAttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed according DSM -5 as persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and development. Eating
Disorders (EDs) are one of the serious mental health conditions characterised by diviant eating behaviors, distorted body image, and significant medical and neuropsychological consequences. New reserachs highlights an intersection between ADHD and eating
disorders, suggesting shared neurobiological and psychological mechanisms.
Statistically, recent studies indicate that clients with ADHD have a three- to five fold higher risk of developing an eating disorder or disordered eating compared to
the general population. Approximately 31% of individuals with ADHD screen as being at risk for an eating disorder specialy binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa—compared to about 12% of those without ADHD. On the other hand ,among patients with eating
disorders, 25–37% exhibit clinically significant ADHD symptoms, with the highest rates observed in bulimia nervosa and the binge/purge subtype of anorexia nervosa.
Sex differences play an important role in this association : females with ADHD
are nearly twice as likely to develop an eating disorder compared to females without ADHD, while this association appears nonsignificant in males. The explanation for this sex difference rely on hormonal difference , level of impulsivity and social pressures
in females on the body image.
Aetiologically, the intersection of ADHD and eating disorders arises from shared neurobiological, emotional, and cognitive dysfunctions — particularly dopamine pathway alterations, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation
— leading to parallel patterns of reward-seeking and loss of control behaviors.Understanding this comorbidity is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, early detection, and ameliorating treatment outcomes. Traditional eating disorder interventions
may be less effective when ADHD symptoms remain untreated. Therefore, integrated, multimodal treatment approaches—combining behavioral, nutritional, and pharmacological strategies—are recommended to target both attentional and emotional regulation challenges.
Conclusion: Recognizing, diagnosing and assessing the ADHD–Eating Disorder overlap is crucial for clinicians , as it enhances individualized care, reduces relapse risk, and improves long-term prognosis
Presentation Objectives
1. Describe the diagnostic criteria according to DSM-5 of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Eating Disorders (Eds).
2. Highlighting the epidemiological data and prevalence of ADHD and eating disorders.
3. Explore
the shared psychological and neurobiological aetiology that underlie their intersection.
4. Shed light on behavioral and the pharmacological lines of therapy for this comorbidity to improve patient outcomes and to decrease relapse rates.
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