How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people suffering from ADHD experience racing thoughts and nighttime energy spikes that make it hard to sleep. When they do sleep it's often a struggle to sleep and not reviving.
Many people don't know that the same stimulant medication that they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also help them sleep at night.
Medications
Restless sleep and insomnia are common among adults suffering from ADHD. For some, stimulant medication used to treat their ADHD can cause issues with sleep. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their doctor prior to trying any new sleep medication. The majority of people will discover that the best approach to manage their sleep is to use the right medication and follow good sleep hygiene.
Insomnia isn't listed as a frequent side effect in most research papers on the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However it is a common occurrence that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking throughout the night. In reality, many people who suffer from ADHD have difficulty staying asleep even when they are not taking stimulant medications. I have observed that around two-thirds (or more) of the patients who are trouble sleeping take a dose of their ADHD medication before bed to help them fall asleep.
MPH or methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD. Oral MPH was shown to extend the time spent in deep sleep and to reduce the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). Oral MPH is more effective than OROS formulation for encouraging sleep.
Some individuals who suffer from ADHD have trouble falling asleep due to the tingling sensations associated with restless leg syndrome, or RLS. RLS can make it difficult for some people to fall asleep and could cause a decrease in the quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
MPH can reduce the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. It does this by reducing the time spent awake and increasing the amount of slow wave sleep and reducing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been proven to reduce sleep disturbances due to co-occurring disorders like sleep apnea with obstruction or oppositional defiant disorder. anxiety in some 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 for high blood pressure, can be used to help those suffering from ADHD fall asleep by producing a sedative that lasts for up to four hours. Some doctors also suggest antidepressant medications such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which possess mild effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep for people with ADHD. This kind of therapy focuses on teaching children and teens new techniques that promote better sleep habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is often combined with classroom training for parents and parent intervention. This kind of therapy teaches children and adolescents to use positive reinforcement of behavior instead of punishment. It also helps young people to relax and take more active part in their sleep routine.
A number of studies indicate that the majority of children suffering from ADHD suffer from sleep issues, which 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 vigilance and endurance throughout the day. Inadequate sleep duration can also result in the condition known as narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is correlated with lower concentration, vigilance, and academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are also at risk of having difficulty falling and staying asleep, which could be a major influence on their daytime functioning. In addition, the majority of adults report that they are more restless and in a position to close their minds and bodies down at night like people without ADHD do. Their agitated minds often cause them to awaken in the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep disorders, is a complicated. Both disorders influence each one in various ways. Many research studies report that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep issues, and in some cases, the two disorders may even overlap and mirror one another (Cortese and colleagues. 2006a). Additionally, sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are frequently connected to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While a variety of studies suggest ADHD medications can impair sleep in some people, other reports contradict this assertion. Many factors can influence the effects of medications on sleep, including the age of the patient at the time of starting pharmacotherapy, the duration of exposure to drugs, and the dose of the stimulant.
Supplements
People suffering from ADHD typically suffer from a variety of sleep issues, including insomnia and trouble falling asleep. This can make it difficult for them to get a restful sleep which can affect their ability to focus throughout the day. Sleep issues can impact work and school performance. Certain people with ADHD have sleep disorders that are comorbid like obstructive sleeping apnea, or snoring. These can be treated with medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Exercise and diet can be beneficial particularly in terms of increasing the intake of protein which can promote peaceful sleep. A calming bedtime routine can also be helpful. It is important to stay away from caffeine which is a stimulant, and can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help with sleep problems caused by methylphenidate. This is a well-known stimulant that is used to treat ADHD in both children as well as adults. Several studies have shown that the melatonin helps with sleep problems and drowsiness in people who are taking methylphenidate, though it doesn't seem to reduce the underlying ADHD symptoms. Melatonin also shows promise for helping people sleep even if they don't take methylphenidate.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help improve ADHD symptoms in some studies, but more research is needed. Omega-3s can be found in walnuts, fish and salmon. Vitamin C is a different supplement that people suffering from ADHD take however, it should not be taken less than an hour before or after taking ADHD medication. It prevents the meds from getting into the bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest that other supplements in the diet like iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. Pycnogenol is a standardized pine bark extract, has been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms for some people. However, more research is required.
Psychoeducation is a psychological treatment that aims to inform children, teens and adults about ADHD and its consequences. It can help those with ADHD improve their confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include behavioural treatment, which helps people control their social behavior. The treatments can be provided either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation may also include groups of support and family therapy groups, which can help families deal with the stress of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD feel their best at the night, when the house is peaceful and distractions are low. It isn't easy to fall asleep. an adequate sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep. A lack of sleep can affect your working memory making it difficult to focus.
Studies have shown that stimulants can improve sleep quality for children and adults with ADHD however, they are also a possibility of misuse and rebound symptoms. Many doctors prefer nonstimulants such as long-acting medicines such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain. They do this through different ways. Nonstimulants take longer time to effect and have less side-effects.
Some doctors also recommend supplementing with melatonin or light therapy to treat sleep problems in patients with ADHD. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs that regulates the circadian rhythm as well as promotes sleep. It can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which results in 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, in order to synchronize its internal clock and promote better sleeping at night. It's not widely available and doctors do not endorse it, but it has proven to be beneficial to people with ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a kind of talk therapy which can help a child or an adult learn how to change certain patterns of thought and behavior. adhd without medication 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 best treatment plan is for you or your children. Every situation is unique and a customized plan will be most efficient. A good sleep hygiene routine and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders, but you'll need to discuss the specifics of your case.