Abstract
Objective
To explore the influence of recovery from eating disorders (ED) at 1‐year follow‐up on self‐reported attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in an unselected group of patients in a specialized ED clinic.
Methods
Four hundred and eight adult females with an ED were assessed with the World Health Organization adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale‐Screener, and for comorbid psychiatric symptoms at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up. Recovery was registered at follow‐up.
Results
ADHD symptoms decreased between baseline and follow‐up in recovered patients treated for bulimic ED. In not recovered patients, ADHD symptoms were stable. Decreased depressive symptoms were associated to decreased ADHD symptoms at 1‐year follow‐up.
Conclusions
Bulimic ED and ADHD are linked together. This link, although not known in every detail, has clinical implications with possible value for bulimic ED patients. Clinical studies exploring implementation of ADHD treatment strategies for Bulimia Nervosa are recommended.