How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
It can be difficult to sleep for people suffering from ADHD due to their racing thoughts and energy surges at night. If they do manage to fall asleep it's usually restless and unrefreshing.
What many people don't know is that the stimulant medication they take for their ADHD symptoms during the day can aid them in sleeping better at night.
Medications
Insomnia and restless sleep are common among people with ADHD. Certain stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause sleep issues for certain people. Medical experts recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their doctor before trying any new sleep medication. For most the time, the best option is to practice good hygiene guidelines for sleep and choose the appropriate medication to meet their needs.
The majority of the scientific literature on effects of ADHD medications on sleep do not mention insomnia as a possible side effect, but it is common for those with ADHD to have trouble getting to sleep and then waking throughout the night. In reality, many people with ADHD have difficulty staying asleep even if they're not taking stimulant medication. I find that about two-thirds (or more) of the patients who have trouble sleeping take the dose of their ADHD medication at bedtime to aid in falling asleep.
The most commonly prescribed drug for ADHD is methylphenidate, which is also known as ADD or MPH. Oral MPH has been demonstrated to decrease the time taken for people to fall asleep and increase the length of their sleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). Oral MPH is more efficient than OROS formulation in encouraging sleep.
RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS) can lead to difficulties falling asleep in people suffering from ADHD. RLS can make it difficult for certain people to fall asleep, and can cause a poorer quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese, 2007).
MPH can reduce the frequency of insomnia in children with ADHD. It does this by reducing the amount of time awake and increasing the amount of slow wave sleep, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been proven to decrease sleep disturbances caused by other disorders that are comorbid, such as obstructive sleep apnea or oppositional defiant disorder. anxiety in children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al. 2008; Hvolby et al. 2008).
Clonidine, a central nervous system depressant often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, can be used to help people with ADHD to fall asleep, producing a sedative that lasts for four hours. Some practitioners also recommend antidepressant drugs like trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron), both of which possess mild effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people who have ADHD. This type of therapy concentrates mostly on teaching children and teens new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often combined with other treatments for ADHD like parent training and classroom interventions. This type of therapy helps kids and teens to promote positive behavior rather than punishing them. It also helps teach youngsters how to relax and take on a more active role in their sleep routine.
A number of studies indicate that the majority of children suffering from ADHD suffer from sleep issues that are frequently caused by daytime issues. A lot of them suffer from chronically poor sleep, which 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 causes the development of a sleep disorder dubbed narcolepsy, which is linked to decreased vigilance and concentration and poor academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are also at risk of experiencing difficulty falling asleep and sleeping, which can affect their daytime performance. Most adults also report feeling more restless at night and are unable to shut down their minds and bodies more than those who do not have ADHD. Their restless minds often make them wake at night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complicated and both disorders can affect each other in multiple ways. Numerous studies show that ADHD is an important risk factor for sleep disorders and, in some instances, the two disorders may even overlap and mirror one another (Cortese et al., 2006a). In addition sleep disorders, like apnea and limb movements that occur periodically in sleep (PLMS) are frequently related to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While several studies suggest that ADHD medication can interfere with sleep in certain people however, other studies contradict this conclusion. The effects of medications on sleep are affected by a variety of factors such as the age of the patient when they begin the treatment and the duration of exposure to the drug.
Supplements
People suffering from ADHD are often plagued by sleep issues like insomnia and trouble getting to sleep. This makes it hard to get a restful sleep which can hinder their ability to focus during the daytime. These sleep issues can impact work and school performance. Certain people with ADHD have comorbid sleep disorders like obstructive sleeping apnea or snoring. These conditions can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes.
Diet and exercise can be helpful, especially when it is about increasing your protein intake, as this promotes restful sleeping. A restful bedtime routine is also helpful. It's important to avoid caffeine as it is a stimulant that can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help with sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. It is a popular stimulant that is used to treat ADHD as well as in children as well as adults. A number of studies have proven that the melatonin helps with sleep problems and drowsiness in people who are taking methylphenidate, but it doesn't appear to help reduce the core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin also shows promise for helping people sleep who don't take methylphenidate.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help improve ADHD symptoms in a few studies, but more research is needed. Omega-3s are found in walnuts, fish and salmon. Vitamin C is a different supplement that some people with ADHD use however, it is not recommended to take it less than an hour prior to or after taking ADHD medications. Learn Additional prevents the meds from being absorbed into bloodstream.
There is a lack of evidence to show that other dietary supplements, such as iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. However, a standardized extract of pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been reported to improve ADHD symptoms in some people, however, more research is needed.
Psychoeducation is a treatment for psychological issues that seeks to educate children, teens and adults about ADHD and its consequences. It can help those who suffer from ADHD increase their confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also involve the treatment of behavioural issues, which helps people learn to control their social behavior. These therapies can be offered either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation may include therapy for families and support groups to help families deal with stress brought on by ADHD.
Other Options
Many people suffering from ADHD are most at their best when they sleep, particularly when the house is quiet. However, racing thoughts and difficulties falling asleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's rest. A lack of sleep can affect your working memory and make it difficult to focus.
Researchers have discovered that stimulants can help improve sleep in adults and children with ADHD. However they can also trigger adverse effects and misuse. So, many doctors prefer nonstimulants, especially long-acting medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) function by boosting the dopamine levels in your brain. They do this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer time to effect, but have fewer side-effects.
Some doctors also recommend supplementing with melatonin or light therapy to treat sleep issues in patients suffering from ADHD. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps regulate the circadian rhythm as well as promotes sleep. It may be particularly helpful for people suffering from delayed-sleep syndrome, a sleep disorder that is characterized by a delay of at least two hours between the time you typically go to bed and the time you are asleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment to sleep disorders that requires exposure to bright light during the day to synchronize the body's internal clock and promote a more restful sleep at night. It isn't yet widely used or endorsed by medical professionals, however it has been proven to be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Other treatments include psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is a form of therapy for talking that can teach your child or yourself how to modify certain thinking patterns and behaviors. These patterns can be changed to reduce problems with self-control, attention and working memory.
It is crucial to talk to your healthcare professional about what the most effective treatment plan is for you or your children. Learn Additional customized treatment plan is the most efficient. Each situation is different. Sleep hygiene practices that are effective and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders But you'll have to discuss the specifics of your situation.