Rethinking Health and Weight Management for Neurodivergent Individuals

Health Psychology Partner Rylan Rosario, MA, recently shared some ideas for managing weight among individuals with ADHD or autism. Her full article will appear in an upcoming issue of the OAC (Obesity Action Coalition) magazine, but we've included a quick snapshot here.

Why is this topic so important?

There is growing awareness of how brain differences affect emotion regulation and behavior, including healthy lifestyle behaviors. So, not surprisingly, we are excited to share this knowledge with clients working to improve their physical and mental health!

Neurodiversity acknowledges diverse ways of thinking, learning, and behaving without viewing these differences as deficits, which is a first step towards making change. Remember, no one makes sustainable change from a place of shame and blame! ADHD, often diagnosed in childhood but persisting into adulthood, involves challenges like impulse control, attention/distraction, and executive functioning struggles (planning, organization, and self-regulation). These challenges affect dietary choices and physical activity, but also greatly influence social support systems, sleep schedules, stress and anxiety, and more. For instance, meal planning—a commonly recommended weight management strategy—can be hard due to difficulties with organization and time management, irregular eating times, and lack of routine and structure around food. (For more examples of how to create a food/eating routine for healthy weight regulation, check out Dr. Pashby's 2022 article published by the OAC on building routines in weight management HERE).

Deeper than behavior

There are many important ways in which neurodiversity affects people's behaviors, but we also want to highlight how it affects an individual's sense of self. Navigating a world designed around neurotypical norms can trigger intense feelings of shame. What comes easily for some can be intensely challenging for others. For example, cleaning up a home can consist of (quite literally) hundreds of decisions, which can leave someone with ADHD stuck in a loop of deciding what to do first, estimating how long things take, and staying focused - often leading to frustration and procrastination. And, over time, these experiences are internalized as part of an identity - "I am a messy person," or "I am a person who can't get things done."

We are here to help clients break down stigmas and self-blame. We understand that not all brains, and not all bodies, work alike. And, guess what? We celebrate uniqueness! Together, we can work on building a sense of self that supports your best health, both physically and mentally. You deserve to live your best life, so reach out today.