For many people, food is a source of comfort, joy, and connection. But for others, food becomes something else entirely—an overwhelming compulsion, a cycle of guilt, or a secret battle fought in isolation. This is the reality of binge eating disorder (BED), a complex condition that affects millions.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, even more prevalent than anorexia or bulimia. It’s characterized by repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period—often in secret, rapidly, and far past the point of fullness—accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, or distress.
Importantly, people with BED do not regularly purge, restrict, or over-exercise in response to their binges. That distinguishes it from other disorders like bulimia nervosa.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is typically associated with focus problems, restlessness, or hyperactivity—but it goes far beyond that. At its core, ADHD is a self-regulation disorder. That means it affects a person’s ability to manage impulses, emotions, attention, and behavior.
So how does this relate to binge eating?
People with ADHD are significantly more likely to also struggle with binge eating or other disordered eating patterns. Here’s why:
ADHD makes it harder to pause, reflect, and resist urges. In the context of eating, this might look like diving into food without being fully conscious of why or when to stop.
Both ADHD and binge eating have been linked to dopamine dysregulation. Dopamine is the brain’s “reward” chemical. People with low dopamine often seek stimulation or pleasure—sometimes through food.
Planning meals, delaying gratification, and staying consistent with routines all require executive functioning—an area often impaired in ADHD. This can lead to chaotic eating patterns and reactive food behaviors.
Together, these factors create a perfect storm where ADHD binge eating is both a neurological and behavioral loop.
In 2015, the FDA approved Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) as the first medication for the treatment of moderate to severe BED in adults. Originally used to treat ADHD, Vyvanse targets many of the same brain pathways involved in binge eating.
Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant. It’s a prodrug, meaning it becomes active only after it’s metabolized in the body, leading to a gradual release and longer effect.
It increases the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine—two key neurotransmitters involved in motivation, reward, focus, and impulse control.
In people with BED, this means:
A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with lisdexamfetamine showed significant reductions in binge days per week and obsessive food thoughts. Participants also lost weight and reported better control over eating behaviors.
Vyvanse is not approved for weight loss, but its appetite-suppressing and impulse-controlling effects can help reduce binge frequency.
If you have both ADHD and binge eating, Vyvanse offers a two-in-one benefit: improving attention while reducing binge urges. This dual-action approach makes it a preferred first-line treatment for people with comorbid symptoms.
Vyvanse for Binge Eating: What Real Patients Are Saying
Many people who try Vyvanse describe a significant shift in their relationship with food. It’s not about developing willpower overnight—it’s about feeling mentally present and emotionally grounded enough to make different choices.
Of course, experiences vary. Some people feel jittery, anxious, or have side effects that make it difficult to continue. Others find that while the binges decrease, the emotional root causes remain—and must be addressed with therapy.
While binge eating can occur in both disorders, the core distinction lies in how individuals respond afterward.
Feature | Binge Eating Disorder | Bulimia Nervosa |
Binge Eating | Yes | Yes |
Purging Behaviors | No | Yes (vomiting, laxatives, fasting) |
Frequency | At least once a week | At least once a week |
Emotional Response | Shame, guilt, distress | Same, often paired with panic and compulsivity |
Health Risks | Obesity, heart disease | Electrolyte imbalance, dental damage, heart arrhythmias |
In summary: Bulimia involves a cycle of bingeing and purging. BED does not include purging, making it harder to detect but equally serious.
Vyvanse isn’t for everyone. While many benefit from its effects, others experience side effects that interfere with daily life.
It can be, under medical supervision. Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it carries a risk for dependency. Long-term use should involve regular check-ins with a prescribing provider.
People with a history of stimulant abuse, heart issues, or severe anxiety should be cautious.
If Vyvanse isn’t an option, there are other treatments available.
Final Thoughts: Treating the Brain, Not Just the Behavior
Whether you’re navigating the fog of binge eating, the chaos of ADHD, or both, know this: you are not broken, lazy, or weak.
Your brain may be wired for high stimulation, emotional intensity, and reward-seeking. That’s not your fault. But with the right tools, support, and treatment—including medications like Vyvanse when appropriate—you can learn to pause, choose, and heal.
BED is treatable. ADHD is manageable. And you are worthy of a peaceful relationship with food, your body, and your mind.