Are you taking medication prescribed by a doctor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Have you ever noticed that this medication is causing you to gain or lose weight? You may be a little worried and anxious about this. But don't worry, this is a common occurrence for many people. Let's talk about it in detail to understand it better.
Can ADHD medication really help you lose weight?
Yes, sometimes the main medications prescribed for ADHD can cause weight loss. Simply put, these fall into the category of stimulant medications. You may have heard of them, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall).
These medications work by reducing your appetite and increasing the rate at which your body burns calories. In fact, some of these medications are used to treat binge eating disorders and to help you lose weight.
Children with ADHD, in particular, may experience problems with eating and weight gain when given these stimulant medications. Doctors are always on the lookout for this as it can have an impact on a child's development.
So why do some people gain weight?
Here's where the problem lies. Imagine, when you take your medicine in the morning, you don't feel like eating all day. But by the evening or night, the effects of the medicine gradually wear off. Then, the hunger that had been gone all day may suddenly reappear.
During this time, it's tempting to eat a lot without control. This is especially true at night, as if you eat like that and then go to sleep, those calories are more likely to be stored in the body and lead to weight gain.
Also, some people with ADHD need to be treated for other mental health conditions, such as depression. Some antidepressants prescribed at the same time can also cause weight gain. So if you are taking more than one medication, it is important to talk to your doctor about that as well.
Can ADHD itself cause weight gain?
Yes, indeed. You can't blame the medication alone. ADHD can sometimes lead to weight gain, even if it's just ADHD. Studies have found that people with ADHD are about five times more likely to be overweight or obese than people without ADHD. There are several reasons for this.
Difficulty controlling impulses (Impulse Control)
This is a key symptom of ADHD. This is why, when you see a delicious food, especially junk food, you feel like "it's okay to eat a piece," and you start to eat it without control. It's hard to stop yourself from wanting to eat another piece of pizza or another piece of cake. This is why people with ADHD often suffer from bulimia, an eating disorder.
Dopamine connection
Dopamine is a chemical in our brain that is like a " happy hormone ." When we eat something tasty, sweet, or enjoyable, we feel happy and satisfied because of this `(Dopamine)`.
People with ADHD usually have low levels of dopamine in their brains. This is why the brain is constantly looking for things that can increase that dopamine level. Eating junk food that is high in sugar, flour, and fat can cause a sudden spike in dopamine. That's why people with ADHD crave things like cakes, biscuits, and chips.
Eating habits and daily life
Some symptoms of ADHD can make it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits. Let's take a look at how.
| ADHD symptom | How it affects weight gain |
|---|---|
| Difficulty planning ahead | We forget to make time to prepare healthy meals and exercise. We are easily tempted to grab something from the store. |
| Attention and impulse control impairments | You buy unnecessary things at the supermarket that aren't on the list. You start making healthy meals at home, but it can get stuck halfway through. |
| Not feeling full | Because you're busy doing other things (watching TV, checking your phone) while eating, your brain doesn't realize that your stomach is full. As a result, you end up eating too much. |
| Stress and boredom | It can become a habit to eat to escape stress (emotional eating) or boredom. |
What are we doing to control this weight gain?
Okay, now you understand what causes this. The important thing is that it is something that can be controlled . Here are some simple things you can do.
1. Change your environment.
One of the best ways to control your urge to eat is to keep junk food out of reach. Don't bring home chips, sugary drinks, cakes, and biscuits. Instead, keep healthy snacks in the fridge that you can eat when you feel hungry.
- Fresh fruit
- Carrot and cucumber sticks
- Nuts (like cashews, peanuts)
- Cheese slices
- Low-fat yogurt
2. Be organized.
Make sure to make a shopping list before you go to the supermarket. Make a point of buying only the things on that list. That way, you won't buy things you don't need on impulse. If you have trouble making meals for the day, cook enough for the week in one day and store it in the freezer.
3. Use your energy for exercise.
If people with ADHD have hyperactivity, channel that extra energy into exercise. Go for a walk, do yoga, or just stay in your room and dance to a song. If you feel bored exercising for an hour straight, break it up into small 10-15 minute chunks and do it several times a day.
4. Record progress
To keep yourself motivated, write down what you eat and what you exercise. There are even great smartphone apps that can help with this. Some apps even turn it into a game, where you can compete with friends.
The most important thing is that if you have a serious problem or concern about your weight, before stopping or changing your medication on your own, be sure to discuss this with your treating doctor. He or she will provide you with the most appropriate solution.
Take-Home Message
- Stimulant medications for ADHD can reduce appetite and cause weight loss. However, once the medication wears off, you may suddenly feel hungry, eat uncontrollably, and gain weight.
- Not only the medication, but the ADHD condition itself (impulsivity, dopamine deficiency) can be a cause of weight gain.
- Don't keep junk food at home. Instead, keep healthy snacks nearby.
- Planning meals and exercise in advance makes it easier to control weight.
- If you have any concerns about changes in your weight or side effects from medications, talk to your doctor right away.
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