Struggling with Nighttime Binge Eating

My night meds make me ridiculously hungry, another person I know said to eat before hand and hopefully eating earlier will stop late night eating

Your nighttime binge eating could be caused by your ADHD meds wearing off for the day and your brain seeking dopamine. A lot of people (including me) turn to binge eating (or other "pleasurable behaviors") because it triggers the release of dopamine. ADHD stimulant meds help increase dopamine during the day, which is why you may not feel very hungry until the meds wear off. Do you find your nighttime eating is primarily fatty, carby, sugary, feel-good foods?

I just started back on ADHD meds again about three months ago. I have noticed this happening to me as well!

that’s super common (and why my parents have coined the term “raccoon” for my brother who fully embraces the late night eating after meds wear off) but eating consistently throughout the day should be helpful! (and trying to go to bed before the hunger strikes!)

It’s just so so so hard to eat when you don’t have an appetite

Haha! Yea, I agree it’s definitely helpful to have someone give you reminders! But, I’m married and my partner is definitely supportive, but I certainly can’t rely on him always to remind me. I also struggle with dependency so I really try my hardest on my own.

treatment plan: don’t be single 😂😩 haha but I could see how that would help!

Yes, I felt the same way after my therapist shared that with me. Especially because of the kinds of foods that I’m eating at night. It’s all sugar.

I totally agree, my therapist had said the same thing. The problem is that even after I am full, I continue to eat *abnormally large* quantities of food out of pure boredom, and it’s caused a ton of weight gain for me recently 😕

Hi! I struggle with what I thought were nighttime “binges” because of my suppressed appetite as well. I feel like I am so famished and I eat so much junk at night after my meds have worn off but it’s time for me to go to sleep. My therapist said that the quantity of food I am eating may seem like a lot, but it’s technically not considered a binge because it’s still drastically below the amount of calories that would consider it significantly unhealthy. However, because of my meds, I’m just filling what my body needs but I am not doing it in a healthy way. Being more mindful of having meals and snacks when I’m on my meds is my strategy but it is really tough.