How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people who suffer from ADHD have racing thoughts and energy surges that make it hard to fall asleep. When they do sleep it's usually tense and not reviving.
Many people are unaware that the same stimulant medication that they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also aid in sleeping at night.
Medicines
Sleeplessness and insomnia are common among adults suffering from ADHD. Certain stimulant medications that are used to treat ADHD can lead to issues with sleep. The medical community suggests that patients discuss these issues with their doctor before trying any new sleeping medication. Most people will find that the best way to manage their sleep is to take the correct medication and maintain good habits of sleep hygiene.
Most scientific literature on the effects of ADHD medications on sleep does not mention insomnia as a possible side effect, but it's common for people with ADHD to have trouble falling asleep and waking throughout the night. Many sufferers with ADHD have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, even if they're not taking stimulant medication. I've observed that two-thirds of patients in my practice who struggle to sleep take the dose of their ADHD medication before bed to aid in falling asleep.
MPH or methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. Oral MPH has been shown to prolong the length of sleep and to reduce the time required to fall asleep (Radcliffe, et al. 2008). The efficacy of oral MPH to promote sleep is higher than that of the transdermal delivery system, or OROS, formulation.
Some individuals who suffer from ADHD struggle to fall asleep due to the tingling sensations that are associated with restless leg syndrome, or RLS. RLS can make it difficult for some people to fall asleep, and can result in a lower quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
MPH has been found to reduce the frequency of insomnia episodes in children with ADHD by decreasing the amount of time awake at night, improving slow wave sleep, and increasing the rate of rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to decrease sleep disturbances resulting from comorbid disorders such as sleep apnea with obstruction or oppositional defiant disorder. anxiety in children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al. (2008); Hvolby et al. 2008).
Clonidine is a central nervous system depressant, which is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, is used to help people with ADHD sleep by creating a state of sedation lasting up to four hours. Some practitioners recommend antidepressants such as trazodone, (Desyrel) or mirtazapine, (Remeron) Both have mild sedative effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can aid in improving sleep in those with ADHD. This type of therapy focuses on teaching children and adolescents new techniques that promote better sleep habits. Behavioral therapy is often integrated with other forms of treatment for ADHD including teacher training and classroom interventions. This kind of therapy teaches children and adolescents to use positive reinforcement of behavior instead of punishment. It also helps teach young people how to relax and take a more active role in their own sleep routine.
Numerous studies have revealed that children with ADHD are more likely to suffer from sleep issues. These issues are typically caused by daytime issues. A lot of them have chronically poor sleep that contributes to "sleep deficiency" and makes it difficult for them to wake up in the morning. They also lack sustained vigilance throughout the day. A lack of sleep contributes to the development of a sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy. It is linked to a decrease in vigilance and concentration, as well as poor academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are also prone to having trouble falling and staying asleep, which could be a major influence on their daytime functioning. In addition, most adults say they are more agitated and unable to close their minds and bodies to sleep than people without ADHD do. Often, their restless minds cause them to awake at night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complicated and both disorders can affect one another in different ways. In numerous research studies, ADHD is reported as an important risk factor for sleep issues. In some instances, these two disorders can overlap and be akin to one another (Cortese and co. 2006a). In addition, sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), are connected to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While some studies suggest that ADHD medication can affect sleep, other studies contradict this assertion. The effects of medications on sleep can be affected by a variety of factors such as the age of the patient at the time of starting treatment and the time of exposure to the medication.
Supplements
People with ADHD are frequently plagued by sleep issues like insomnia and trouble falling asleep. This can make it difficult for them to sleep soundly which may affect their ability to focus throughout the daytime. These sleep issues can also hinder school and work performance. Certain people with ADHD have sleep disorders that are comorbid like obstructive sleeping apnea or snoring. These conditions can be treated by taking medication and making lifestyle changes.
Diet and exercise can be beneficial, particularly when it involves increasing your protein intake since it promotes restful sleep. A restful routine before bed is also beneficial. It's important to avoid caffeine as it is a stimulant, and can cause headaches and trouble sleeping.
Melatonin is a sleep aid that can ease problems caused by methylphenidate. This is a common stimulant used to treat ADHD, both in children as well as adults. Numerous studies have demonstrated that melatonin is helpful in reducing sleep problems and drowsiness in people who take methylphenidate, but it doesn't appear to help reduce core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin also shows promise for helping sleepers who don't take methylphenidate.
In certain studies, omega-3 fat acids were proven to decrease ADHD symptoms. However, more research is required. Omega-3s can be found in walnuts, fish and salmon. Vitamin C is another supplement that people suffering from ADHD utilize, but it should not be taken less than an hour prior to or after taking ADHD medications. Vitamin C prevents the medication from being absorbed in the bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest that other dietary supplementation, such as zinc and iron, could reduce ADHD symptoms. Pycnogenol is a standardized pine bark extract, has been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms in some people. However, more research is required.
Psychoeducation, a form of psychological treatment that educates children, teenagers and adults about ADHD and its effects, can help people who suffer from ADHD feel more at ease and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include behavioural therapy, which aids people learn to manage their behavior in social settings. The treatments can be provided individually or in groups. Psychoeducation may also include groups of support and family therapy groups that can assist families cope with the stress of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are at their best during evening, when the home is quiet and distractions are low. It isn't easy to fall asleep. a restful night's sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulties falling asleep. Sleep deprivation can also affect working memory, making it difficult to concentrate.
for beginners has shown that stimulants can improve the quality of sleep for some children and adults with ADHD, but they come with the risk of misuse and rebound symptoms. Many doctors favor nonstimulants like long-acting drugs like methylphenidate, (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) work by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain. They do this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer to work, but have fewer side-effects.
Some professionals also recommend taking melatonin supplements or using light therapy to treat insomnia in people suffering from ADHD. Melatonin, a hormone that is produced naturally by the body, helps regulate the circadian rhythm. It also helps promote sleep. It can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome, a sleep disorder that causes a delay of two hours or more between the time you normally go to bed and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a possible alternative to the use of medication for sleep disorders. It involves exposure to bright light throughout the day to synchronize the internal clock, and encourage better sleep at night. It is not widely available and doctors do not endorse it, however it has been proven to be beneficial to people with ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a kind of therapy that can help a child or an adult learn how to modify certain patterns of thought and behavior. These patterns can be changed to improve self-control, attention and working memory.
It's important to speak with your healthcare professional regarding the best treatment plan for you or your child. Every situation is different and a customized plan will be most efficient. Good sleep hygiene practices and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders But you'll have to discuss the particulars of your situation.