There is a high co-occurrence between neurodivergence and eating disorders, and yet, most eating disorder treatment centers fail to recognize or accommodate this connection. If you are autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, your experience with food, hunger, and eating may be deeply impacted by your neurotype—and it’s not as simple as just “fixing” your relationship with food.
Eating disorders in neurodivergent individuals can develop for a variety of reasons, including:
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Sensory sensitivities to textures, tastes, or smells that make eating certain foods feel impossible.
- Obsessive Thinking & Rigid Rules – Food, calories, or meal planning becoming another area of obsessive focus.
- Interoceptive Differences – Struggling to recognize hunger and fullness cues, leading to unintentional restriction or binge eating.
- Trauma & Control – Using food as a way to regulate overwhelming emotions or reclaim control in an unpredictable world.
- Medical Conditions (e.g., Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, GI issues, POTS) – Chronic illness and food sensitivities complicating the eating experience.
