Adam, a 58-year-old man with obesity, high blood pressure, and ADHD, struggled with late-night binge eating, consuming large amounts of sugary foods after work. Despite eating little during the day, his overeating at night was a challenge.
The root of his problem likely lies in his ADHD, which can cause a dopamine imbalance in the brain. Low dopamine levels may lead to impulsive behaviors like binge eating, as people self-medicate with sugary or fatty foods to boost dopamine.
For treatment, I started Adam on lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), a medication that raises dopamine levels and is approved for both ADHD and binge eating disorder. After just one week, Adam reported feeling more focused and was able to control his cravings.
I may consider adding a weight loss medication like semaglutide later if needed, but for now, increasing dopamine levels addresses the root cause of his weight gain.
