Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41329419›Full record

ArticleEating and weight disorders : EWD2025

Bingeing as an ADHD-related strategy: a qualitative study of experiences of Neurodivergent and potentially Neurodivergent adults with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders.

Lauren Makin, Adia Meyer, Dimitri Chubinidze, Valeria Mondelli, Kate Tchanturia

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Eating and weight disorders : EWD, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lauren MakinPO59, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. Lauren.makin@kcl.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5021-1350
Adia MeyerDepartment of Eating Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6352-1297
Dimitri ChubinidzePO59, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3253-8991
Valeria MondelliPO59, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8690-6839
Kate TchanturiaPO59, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8988-3265

Funding

MRF_ MRF-CPP-R1-25-103
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeADHD and Autism are overrepresented in adults with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders (EDs) and are associated with unique underlying mechanisms and poorer treatment outcomes. This qualitative study explores how Neurodivergent and potentially Neurodivergent individuals with bulimic-spectrum EDs make sense of their (potential) Neurodivergence, its impact on their ED, and their treatment needs.

methodsSixteen adults with bulimic-spectrum EDs who either self-reported a diagnosis of ADHD and/or Autism or scored highly on screeners (ASRS-Screener > 3; AQ-10 > 5) were interviewed. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with cross-group comparisons between ADHD-only and ADHD + Autism presentations. Reflexivity was strengthened through critical friend discussions, and member reflections.

resultsWe developed four themes and 12 sub-themes: 1. Difficulty making sense of potential Neurodivergence: participants expressed mixed feelings about identifying as Neurodivergent. While some found the label helpful, others felt uncertain about whether they were Neurodivergent or had concerns around stigma. Participants struggled to distinguish features of Neurodivergence from those of their ED. 2. Bingeing as ADHD self-regulation: bingeing was used to manage emotional overwhelm or under-stimulation linked to ADHD, and often became compulsive over time. 3. Restriction shaped by Autistic traits: restriction was associated with interoceptive and exteroceptive sensory differences, preference for sameness, and social disconnect, particularly among those with co-occurring Autism. 4. Balancing personalised and structured care: participants wanted flexible, personalised care that also provided structure to support recovery.

conclusionsADHD and Autistic traits may influence bulimic-spectrum EDs in distinct ways. Helping Neurodivergent individuals and clinicians understand these connections can guide personalised treatment priorities and adaptations, improving treatment engagement and outcomes for Neurodivergent individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, qualitative exploratory study.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityBinge-Eating DisorderBulimiaAdultAutistic DisorderFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchYoung AdultADHDAutismBulimia nervosaEating disordersNeurodivergenceQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID41329419
PMCPMC12774937

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.