Why Are Eating Disorders More Prevalent in Girls and Women with ADHD?

PostedSeptember 24, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 29, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD and eating disorders are more common in girls and women due to the interplay between impulsivity, emotional regulation, and behavioural patterns associated with ADHD. Women with ADHD often struggle with impulsivity, which can lead to problematic eating behaviours, such as binge eating or bulimia. These issues may stem from difficulties in managing emotions and coping with stress, both of which are exacerbated by ADHD symptoms.

Girls and women with ADHD frequently experience challenges with emotional regulation, leading to impulsive decisions when it comes to food. The inability to manage emotions effectively can result in turning to food for comfort or using eating as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings of frustration, anxiety, or boredom. This can contribute to the development of eating disorders like binge eating or restrictive eating patterns, which are seen more frequently in individuals with ADHD than in the general population.

Common Symptoms

Impulsivity and Overeating

Women with ADHD often act impulsively, leading to binge eating episodes or overeating. This behaviour is directly linked to the impulsivity that is a hallmark of ADHD, causing difficulty in controlling food intake.

Emotional Dysregulation and Food Use

The emotional regulation difficulties associated with ADHD may cause women to use food as a coping mechanism. Feelings of sadness, stress, or frustration can trigger emotional eating, contributing to disordered eating patterns such as bulimia.

Understanding the connection between ADHD and eating disorders is important for effective diagnosis and treatment. Addressing both ADHD symptoms and disordered eating behaviours can improve overall well-being and support healthier coping strategies.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert advice tailored to your needs.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Girls and women with ADHD.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.