Trigger Warnings: This episode describes the experiences of a minor living with an eating disorder, as well as exploring the details behind eating disorders and its relation to ADHD. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you don’t have to go through it alone. Help is available: National Eating Disorder Association Helpline: (800) 931-2237.
This episode also includes a brief discussion about suicide. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you or someone you know is engaging in self-harm or contemplating suicide, there are people who want to help. Please reach out: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Dial 9-8-8 to talk or send a text to 988 If you are outside the US, please click the link to find a helpline for your country.
We’ve got something of a special show this week, one that is — we hope — as impactful and educational a conversation for you, as it is personal for us.
Nikki’s daughter is in recovery from an eating disorder, a condition that impacted her emotionally, physically, and made for some dark times in the family. She also lives with ADHD. It turns out, those two things are frustrating bedfellows.
In fact, research has shown that those with ADHD have a greater risk for developing binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa than their peers without ADHD and a 2007 Harvard study found that girls with ADHD were almost four times more likely to have an eating disorder than those without ADHD. Why is someone with ADHD more likely to have an eating disorder? That’s our work this week.
To help us out, we’ve invited Dr. Roberto Olivardia to join us. Dr. Olivardia is a Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In his private psychotherapy practice, he specializes in the treatment of ADHD (particularly with comorbid disorders), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and in the treatment of eating disorders in boys and men.
He graciously agreed to talk to Nikki, and our very special guest, Nikki’s daughter, Paige, who shares her experience in her own voice.
Learn more about Dr. Olivardia and check out his book, The Adonis Complex: How to Identify, Treat and Prevent Body Obsession in Men and Boys.
