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Research Article: A 10-Year-Old Girl’s Dysfunctional ‘Self-Help’ in ADHD: Suppression of Hyperkinetic Symptoms via Self-Induced Weight Loss in the Context of Anorexia Nervosa—A Case Report

Date Published: 2023-09-05

Abstract:
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are frequent mental disorders in child and adolescent psychiatry. Comorbidity of these disorders is, however, rare among minors. Thus, little is known about their mutual impact on illness development as well as diagnostic and therapeutic influencing factors. We report the case of a 10-year old girl with AN and massive underweight. At the age of 5, ADHD had been diagnosed. Application of ADHD-specific medication had been refused by her caregiver. As of 3rd grade, hyperkinetic symptoms were significantly reduced, which was later linked to beginning AN-induced weight loss. At inpatient admission, no clinically relevant ADHD-related symptoms were present. Accompanying weight gain, rather ‘sudden’ appearance of attention difficulties, motoric hyperactivity and impulsivity were reported, widely impairing our patient’s schoolwork and further daily life. Methylphenidate medication showed good clinical response and tolerability. We hypothesize that the former massive underweight had suppressed ADHD-specific behaviour. AN with significant weight loss could possibly mask hyperkinetic symptoms in children. Thus, sufficient clinical diagnostics and intense monitoring during ED treatment are required. Physicians and therapists should be sensitized for interactions in the joint occurrence of these mental disorders among minors.

Introduction:
In child and adolescent psychiatric healthcare, AN and ADHD are frequently treated disorders. In the past few years, rising numbers and higher symptom severity of EDs, particularly AN, were reported in the international literature, not least as a consequence of the COVID-19-pandemic. In Germany, the prevalence of eating disorders among female adolescents has increased by 54% (9.8/1000) from 2019 to 2021 [1]. AN onset among minors is peaking in adolescence, around age 14–17, with a tendency towards higher numbers…

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