If you suffer from attention-to-hyperactivity deficit(ADHD), (ADHD) If you suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you could take medication to aid in things such as focus, attention, and hyperactivity. But that medication can also cause side effects, such as weight changes.
Simply being diagnosed with ADHD could cause weight gain. Being unable to manage your impulses could result in excessive cravings for food and eating too much. It can be easy to put on weight and difficult to get off.
However, if ADHD as well as the medication you take for treatment cause an extra pound, you don’t have to carry the excess weight. There are things you can do to slow down—and even reverse—that type of weight increase.
Do Adhd Medications Cause Weight Loss?
Some of the medications most commonly utilized for treating ADHD could result in weight loss. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Certain of them are employed to help people shed weight or treat the problem of binge eating.
Children suffering from ADHD who take stimulant medications are often unable to eat properly and gain weight. This can be a problem in terms of growth. .
Do Adhd Medications Cause Weight Gain?
While the stimulant effects of ADHD medications may reduce your appetite and also help you burn calories, when they have worn off, your appetite may be back in full force. And if you indulge in eating too much even when you’re not taking medication, you may gain weight, especially considering that this is usually during the evening and late at night.
A few people who suffer from ADHD are also afflicted with depression and are taking medication for depression. Some of these have been associated with weight gain.
Other Reasons Why You Gain Weight?
People who suffer from ADHD are approximately five times more likely to be obese or overweight than people who don’t suffer from it. There are a variety of possible causes:
A Difficult Time Regulating The Urges To Indulge:
This makes it difficult to resist a second slice of pizza or a bite of cake. People who suffer from ADHD are five times more likely to have an eating disorder called bulimia that can lead to binge eating or eating too much.
Dopamine’s Connection:
This brain chemical could be at least partially responsible for the overeating that occurs in conjunction with ADHD. Dopamine is a part of the brain’s reward center. This is a “feel-good” substance that gives you a sense of satisfaction after eating the jelly doughnut or order of French fries.
Patients with ADHD tend to have lower concentrations of dopamine. In reality, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD enhance the levels. Foods high in carbs also trigger an increase in dopamine. This is the reason you’ll want cakes, cookies, and other junk food items.
Food Habits:
Many ADHD symptoms may hinder you from eating a balanced diet.
- If you don’t prepare for the future, it may be difficult to make the time to prepare low-calorie, nutritious meals or exercises.
- Inattention and poor impulse control may keep you from deciding on the best food items at a restaurant, in the grocery store, or even from making an energizing meal at home.
- The lack of attention may prevent people from seeing that they’re not full.
- Problems dealing with stress can result in emotional eating disorders.
- If you’re not a fan of feeling bored or lacking interest, then you may be more inclined to eat when you don’t have anything else to do.
How To Control Weight Gain?
If you’re having trouble controlling your cravings for food, one suggestion is to help you resist the urge to indulge. Avoid eating chips, candy, and other junk foods away from your home. Make sure you stock your pantry and fridge with healthy foods such as these in the event that you are craving something.
- Fresh fruit
- Sticks of celery and carrots
- Nuts
- Cheese sticks
- Low-saturated yogurt
Write down a list of items to buy before you head to the store and stick to it to avoid being attracted to purchasing something that isn’t healthy. To make your meals more convenient to cook, prepare a huge portion of meals in one go and store them in freezers. You can also use a healthy meal service that can deliver right to your door.
In the event that hyperactivity has become a challenge for you, make use of this extra strength in order to move. Take a walk, practice yoga, or simply dance around your home. If you are easily bored and want to keep it simple, avoid doing all of your exercise in one sitting. Divide your workout into 10 or 15-minute segments that are more manageable to complete.
To keep you on track Keep track of your fitness and diet by keeping a journal. Some apps for smartphones make it simple to monitor your improvement. Some apps turn your exercise routine into a competition or game with family and friends for more entertainment.
