How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people who suffer from ADHD have racing thoughts and energy spurts that make it hard to fall asleep. If they do fall asleep it's usually restless and unrefreshing.
Many people don't know that the same stimulant medication they take to treat their ADHD symptoms can also aid in sleeping at night.
The effects of medication
Restless sleep and insomnia are common among adults suffering from ADHD. For some, stimulant medications that are used to treat ADHD can cause issues with sleep. Medical professionals advise that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleeping medications. Most people will find that the best way to control their sleep is to use the correct medication and maintain good sleep hygiene.
The majority of the scientific literature on effects of ADHD medications on sleep does not list insomnia as a possible side effect, but it's common for those with ADHD to have trouble sleeping and then waking up throughout the night. In reality, many people who suffer from ADHD have trouble sleeping even when not taking stimulant medications. About dealing with adhd without medication -thirds (or more) of my patients who have difficulty sleeping take their ADHD medication prior to the time they go to bed.
The most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate, also called ADD or MPH. MPH oral has been proven to decrease the time taken for people to fall asleep, and also increase the duration of their deep sleep (Radcliffe et al. 2008). Oral MPH is more effective than OROS formulation in encouraging sleep.
RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause difficulties in falling asleep for people suffering from ADHD. RLS can cause difficulty for some people to fall asleep and may cause a decrease in the quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
MPH helps 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 decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been found to decrease sleep disturbances resulting from comorbid disorders such as sleep apnea with obstruction, oppositional defiant disorder or anxiety in children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al. (2008); Hvolby et al., 2008).
Clonidine is a central nerve system depressant often prescribed for high blood pressure, can be utilized to help sufferers of ADHD sleep by producing a sedative that lasts for up to four hours. Some practitioners recommend antidepressants such as trazodone, (Desyrel), or mirtazapine, (Remeron) Both have moderate effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people with ADHD. This type of therapy focuses on teaching children and teens new skills that can lead to better sleep habits. Behavioral therapy is often paired with other forms of treatment for ADHD, such as classes and parent training. This kind of therapy teaches kids and teens to promote positive behavior instead of punishing them. It also helps teach young people how to relax and take on a more active part in their own sleep routine.
A variety of studies show that the majority of children suffering from ADHD suffer from sleep issues that are frequently caused by daytime issues. Many of these children have chronically poor sleep that can cause "sleep deficiency" and makes it more difficult for them to get up in the morning. They also have trouble maintaining vigilance throughout the day. Insufficient sleep can lead to the development of a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy, which is connected to a decrease in vigilance and concentration and poor academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are also susceptible to having difficulty falling and staying asleep, which could affect their daytime functioning. In addition, the majority of adults say they are more agitated and unable to shut their minds and bodies down at night than other people without ADHD do. Their agitated minds often wake them up in the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complex and both disorders impact one another in different ways. In numerous research studies, ADHD is reported as a risk factor for sleep problems. In some cases, these two disorders can overlap and be similar to each other (Cortese and co. 2006a). Additionally, sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are frequently related to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While a variety of studies suggest ADHD medications can affect sleep in some people However, other research contradicts this finding. Various factors can affect the effects of medications on sleep, such as the age of the patient when beginning pharmacotherapy, the length of exposure to the drug, and the dose of the stimulant.
Supplements
People with ADHD are frequently plagued by sleep issues such as insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. This makes it difficult to achieve a restful sleep, which impacts their ability to focus during the day. These sleep issues can affect work and school performance. Many people with ADHD also have sleep disorders like snoring or sleeping apnea. These are treatable by medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Exercise and diet can be beneficial, particularly when it involves increasing your protein intake because it helps you sleep more soundly. A peaceful bedtime routine could also be beneficial. It's important to avoid caffeine, which is a stimulant, and can cause headaches and trouble sleeping.
Melatonin may help with sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. This is a well-known stimulant used to treat ADHD in both children as well as adults. Melatonin has been proven to reduce drowsiness and sleep issues in those who are taking methylphenidate. However, it does not seem to diminish the symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin has also proven to be effective in assisting with sleeping in people who do not take methylphenidate.
In some studies, omega-3 fatty acids were proven to reduce ADHD symptoms. However, more research is required. Fish such as walnuts, salmon, and fish are all good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is a different supplement that people suffering from ADHD use however it shouldn't be taken less than an hour before or after taking ADHD medication. Vitamin C prevents the medication from absorbing in the bloodstream.
There is limited evidence that other supplements in the diet like iron and zinc, help reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract that is standardized from pine bark called Pycnogenol has been proven to improve ADHD symptoms in a few people, however, more research is required.
Psychoeducation, a type of psychological treatment that teaches adolescents, children, and adults about ADHD and its effects, can help those with ADHD feel more at ease and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also incorporate behavioural therapy, which helps individuals learn to control their behavior in social situations. These treatments can be done either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation may also include family therapy and group support groups, which can help families cope with the strain of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are at their best during the night, when the house is quiet and distractions are low. However racing thoughts and issues getting to sleep can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. In addition, poor sleep can impact working memory and make it harder to focus during the daytime.
Researchers have found that stimulants can improve sleep for adults as well as children with ADHD. However they can also trigger problems with rebound and abuse. Thus many doctors prefer nonstimulants, especially long-acting medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain. They accomplish this by a variety of mechanisms. Nonstimulants might take longer to take effect, but they generally have less side effects.
Some doctors recommend melatonin as a light therapy for those suffering from ADHD who suffer from sleep issues. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm and encourages sleep. It is particularly helpful for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which causes a delay of two hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological solution to sleep disturbances that involves exposure to bright light throughout the day to help synchronize the body's internal clock and encourage a more restful sleep at night. It's not yet widely available or endorsed by medical professionals, however it has been shown to be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Other treatments include psychoeducation and cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT, which is a form of therapy for talking that can help your child or yourself how to modify certain thinking patterns and behavior. These patterns can be changed to help improve problems with self-control, attention and working memory.
It's important that you speak to your healthcare professional regarding what the most effective treatment plan is for you or your children. A personalized treatment plan is the most efficient. Each situation is different. A good sleep hygiene routine and medications can help with ADHD and sleep disorders, but you'll need to discuss the specifics of your case.