ADHD and Sleep

People living with ADHD often struggle to find restful restful sleep. Caffeine, stimulant medications (both prescription and nonprescription), and other factors may disrupt restful slumber.

ADHD patients frequently exhibit primary sleep disorders like snoring or restless legs syndrome. Furthermore, taking extended-release ADHD medication may compound these difficulties even further.

Disrupted Circadian Rhythms

ADHD often co-occurs with circadian rhythm disturbances. A disturbed circadian rhythm is one of the primary contributors to sleep disruption for people living with ADHD and an indirect source of insomnia. Research indicates that circadian systems play an essential role in creating near-24-hour rhythms across behavioral, physiological and cognitive parameters.

Circadian rhythm issues may lead to delays in the body’s release of melatonin, the hormone which signals sleep onset. Delays can result in difficulty falling and staying asleep, one of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD. People living with ADHD may also find themselves being more alert at night due to misalignments between their circadian rhythm and natural internal clocks.

Circadian rhythm problems can result in difficulty awakening in the morning and adapting to various schedules, making it hard to get ready for school, work or other activities; also making concentration difficult at school or other workplaces leading to decreased performance and poor quality of life.

People living with ADHD are at an increased risk of sleep disorders, including delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). People diagnosed with DSPS tend to wake up late and experience difficulty in awakening from sleep – this can pose serious challenges to adults needing to wake early for work or family responsibilities or children attending school, not to mention more likely being sleep deprived which further compounds symptoms of ADHD.

My adult patients with ADHD often struggle with insomnia. Their minds can wander all night long while tossing and turning in bed – leading them down an unrefreshing road of unrestful restlessness. To combat this problem, I advise them to try taking their stimulant-class medication at bedtime to shut off both brains and bodies so they can finally rest easy – often this approach works very effectively for them.

I believe it’s time to reconsider ADHD by considering that many individuals with the condition also suffer from chronic sleep issues that should be treated in tandem with ADHD symptom treatment. This could involve chronotherapy, treating any specific sleep issues that arise as part of treatment plans for ADHD symptoms and training of brain networks involved in controlling circadian rhythms.

Hyperactivity

Children who appear restless or struggle to sit still may be hyperactive; this does not always indicate ADHD diagnosis; young kids typically display short attention spans and energy; teenagers and adults can be restless and impulsive as well. Sometimes these behaviors affect certain activities more than others or become noticeable more readily in certain settings; for instance, high energy can be beneficial on the football field but may disrupt learning in class.

Hyperactive behaviors might include running or climbing in inappropriate places, difficulty in staying still for extended periods, interrupting others before they’ve finished speaking and speaking before thinking it through and answering before their turn comes around. Impulsive acts could include taking things without permission and initiating conversations or games without permission – symptoms which apply equally well in older teens and adults.

Everyone misplaces keys and cell phones from time to time, but if you find that you lose more items than your friends do and need to track where they are in order to locate them this could be a telltale sign of inattentive ADHD. You might also have difficulty starting projects or finishing them on time and often procrastinate; adults with inattentive ADHD might struggle staying focused during meetings at work; in order to help stay awake they might chew gum or drink coffee as an aid.

Researchers do not fully comprehend what causes hyperactivity and inattention; however, genetics, environment and problems with the central nervous system at key moments during development likely contribute. Diet, lack of sleep and medications could also play a part.

Although research suggests diet and exercise can improve ADHD symptoms, medication remains the main treatment option. Stimulants are the main form of medication prescribed to address ADHD; doctors usually start with a low dose before gradually increasing it until finding an ideal dosage. Although stimulants may cause side effects such as headache, stomachaches, anxiety and difficulty sleeping initially, most improve with continued use and are eventually phased out altogether. If stimulants don’t work or someone refuses to take them because of side effects then non-stimulant or combination drugs might also be prescribed instead or both as alternatives or when combined with stimulants alone don’t work effectively enough.

Insomnia

Many individuals with ADHD experience sleep issues. If chronic insomnia becomes an issue for you, it can interfere with daily tasks and even cause health complications; additionally, it may contribute to mood disturbances like stress and depression. It might be worthwhile seeking medical assistance for help in this matter – see your physician about getting assistance today if this problem continues!

An effective night’s rest depends on your ability to settle down at bedtime and remain asleep throughout the night. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol prior to going to sleep as these can alter your circadian rhythms and interfere with natural sleep cycles. Establish a regular routine and practice good habits like getting plenty of exercise, drinking only water before bedtime and not engaging in caffeinated beverages before sleeping. This should give you everything you need for restful slumber!

Reduce your risk of insomnia with daily doses of melatonin or herbal remedies such as valerian or chamomile, which have long been known to promote restful slumber. Some doctors also suggest taking antihistamine-type medication like trazodone or hydroxyzine which has antihistamine effects and can help you fall and stay asleep at night. Also try taking ADHD meds earlier rather than later (four-hour release medications are best).

Brain scientists believe the natural sleep drive builds throughout the day as levels of an antidepressant chemical known as adenosine increase, reaching its peak around two hours after awakening. Unfortunately, people with ADHD sometimes engage in activities which disrupt this natural cycle such as excessive caffeine use and daytime napping – activities which may disrupt adenosine levels and disrupt your normal sleeping cycle, leaving you too wired for restful slumber.

Indifference to sleep can manifest itself through difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep through the night, nightmares or frequent awakenings during the night and nightmares or night terrors. Being unable to rest can negatively impact daytime functioning as well as relationships with family and friends; long-term deprivation increases your risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression; difficulty sleeping can also increase anxiety levels leading to fight-or-flight responses that tend to activate for people living with ADHD.

Medication

Adults and kids living with ADHD are frequently prescribed medication to manage their symptoms. Studies show that medications work for approximately eight in 10 individuals diagnosed with ADHD; it can also form part of an overall treatment plan including therapy, behavior change strategies and skills training.

Stimulants are an often prescribed solution for ADHD. Stimulant drugs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, two chemicals which play an integral part in attention and motivation. While stimulants are generally considered safe when taken under medical supervision, they may increase resting heart rate and blood pressure which puts some individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular issues; those with a family history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure should refrain from taking stimulants.

People with psychiatric conditions may also be at greater risk for adverse side effects from stimulants. Stimulants may trigger or exacerbate feelings of hostility, aggression, anxiety depression and paranoia and also interfere with sleeping leading to increased appetite – these side effects must be discussed with their physician prior to beginning ADHD medication.

An effective form of ADHD medication is an extended-release or long-acting formulation, which slowly builds in the body over time to provide a steady dose throughout the day. This can reduce any fluctuation in heart rate or blood pressure that might otherwise occur as stimulant medications wear off throughout the day. Many individuals taking extended-release ADHD pills also supplement it with immediate-release pills taken later in the afternoon or evening to cover times when one or both pills begin wearing off.

Other medications known as non-stimulant drugs may help improve attention and decrease impulsivity for some individuals with ADHD, including atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Intuniv), and quetiapine (Qelbree). Strattera and Qelbree belong to an antidepressant class known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs; these medications take longer to work than stimulants but help increase levels of norepinephrine (which increases focus and motivation).

Finding the appropriate medication, at an optimal dosage and on an ideal schedule, is essential to quality sleep for people living with ADHD. Most individuals will likely require several attempts before finding one that works effectively for them.