Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Outpatients With a History of Disordered Eating Symptoms

The aim of the study was to assess the characteristics and outcomes of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a previous history of restrictive eating disorder symptoms.

We retrospectively reviewed the health records of patients with ADHD and a history of disordered eating who were treated at our institution with medications that have potential anorexiant properties from October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024.

We initially identified 159 patients who were referred to an ADHD program at our institution during the study period. Of 72 patients who met criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, 18 had SCOFF questionnaire scores of 2 or higher, which suggests symptoms of a restrictive eating disorder. Of these 18 patients, 3 had a previous diagnosis of an eating disorder documented in their health records. Each patient was treated with medications chosen to manage their reported ADHD symptoms, regardless of eating disorder concerns. All patients had improvements in ADHD symptoms without reporting adverse effects on disordered eating behaviors. Body weight and body mass index values did not significantly change after treatment with atomoxetine, dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, or methylphenidate (all P ≥ 0.14).

Our findings are consistent with those of previous reports and suggest that ADHD treatment, including treatment with stimulant medications, is safe and tolerable for patients with a history of restrictive eating disorder symptoms.