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Ask the Adult ADD Expert:
Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D.
Compulsive Eating and Shopping
Q:
"Whenever I feel down, I eat and shop uncontrollably. I know I need to stop, but I can't. Help!"
A:
Compulsive eating and shopping are common problems for ADDers. It's hard to "just not do" a compulsive habit. Instead, substitute a healthy "fix" when you're feeling down. Take a hot bath, go for a walk, talk to a friend, or drink a cup of tea. If you find it hard to manage this, weekly meetings with a therapist can help keep you on track.
Ask your doctor whether adjusting the dosage of your ADD medication, or switching to a new drug, might help rein in your compulsive eating and shopping. And your doctor may wish to evaluate you for depression, since it, too, can cause the behaviors you describe.
Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., is director of the Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland, in Silver Spring, and psychologist who specializes in treating women and girls with AD/HD.
 4 Comments:
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Posted by
lookachicken
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Sep 24 2009 @ 9:47 AM
Compulsive eating and shopping
I would like to know if there are any support groups for the shopping/spending part, I have gotten worse since I quit smoking and drinking! I don't do baths or tea so there have to be alternatives...is there a job as a personal shopper out there??---I don't have to keep the things!
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Posted by
scrabble5
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Jan 29 2009 @ 4:35 PM
Compulsive Eating and Shopping
My compulsive shopping has caused my family to hit a financial brick wall! I have gotten so deeply in debt, I am unable to make monthly payments and I have had checks bouncing all over town. I am so embarrassed! I am on medications, but I must, must, must figure out a way to deal with stress-or whatever it is-that makes me want to shop, shop, shop!
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Posted by
MissedThat
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Mar 6 2008 @ 12:19 AM
Compulsive Eating & Shopping!
Wow! I thought I was unique! These are the only two truly compulsive behaviors I have. I'd also like more info -- this is really getting out of hand.
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Posted by
zorna
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Nov 7 2007 @ 8:10 PM
Compulsive eating and shopping.
How interesting to learn that this is common for ADDers. I did not know that. Why is this? Where can I get more info on this?
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