How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people who suffer from ADHD have racing thoughts and nighttime energy spurts that make it hard to sleep. When they do sleep it's usually tense and unrefreshing.
Most people aren't aware that the same stimulant medications they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also aid in sleeping at night.
Medications
Many adults with ADHD struggle to shut down their minds at night which can lead to insomnia and a lack of sleep. For some, stimulant medications used to treat their ADHD can lead to issues with sleep. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleeping medications. adhd without medication will find that the best approach to manage their sleep is to take the right medication and follow good sleep hygiene.
Insomnia isn't listed as a common side effect in most studies on the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking all night. Many sufferers with ADHD have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, even when they aren't taking stimulant drugs. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who have trouble sleeping do so by taking their ADHD medication before bedtime.
MPH or methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. Oral MPH has been demonstrated to decrease the time taken for people to fall asleep and increase the duration of their deep sleep (Radcliffe and co., 2008). Oral MPH is more efficient than OROS formulations for encouraging sleep.
RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause difficulty falling asleep in some people with ADHD. RLS can make it difficult for certain people to fall asleep and could cause a poorer quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese, 2007).
MPH has been proven to reduce the frequency of insomnia episodes in children with ADHD by reducing the amount of time awake at night, improving slow wave sleep and enhancing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to reduce sleep disturbances caused by co-morbid disorders like obstructive sleeping apnea, also known as oppositional defiant syndrome in some children with ADHD.
Clonidine is a central nerve depressant that is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can help people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting 4 hours. Some practitioners recommend antidepressants such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which have mild effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can aid in improving sleep in people with ADHD. This type of therapy concentrates on teaching children and teens new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is usually combined with parent training and classroom intervention. This type of therapy helps youngsters and teens to promote positive behavior rather than punishing them. It also teaches young people how to relax and take on a more active part in their own sleep routine.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that children with ADHD are more likely to experience sleep problems. These issues are usually caused by daytime issues. A lot of them suffer from chronically poor sleeping that causes "sleep deficiency" and makes it difficult for them to get up in the morning. They also have trouble maintaining vigilance throughout the day. Insufficient sleep contributes to the development of a sleep disorder known as narcolepsy, which is linked to a decrease in vigilance and concentration, as well as poor academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are also susceptible to having difficulty falling and staying asleep, which can be a major influence on their daytime functioning. Many adults complain of feeling more agitated at night and are unable to shut their bodies and minds more than those who do not have ADHD. Their anxious minds can wake them up in the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep disorders is a complex. Both disorders affect each the other in different ways. In a variety of research studies, ADHD is reported as a risk factor for sleeping problems. In certain instances, these two disorders can overlap and be similar to one another (Cortese and colleagues. 2006a). Sleep disorders, like apnea, or periodic movement of the limbs in sleep (PLMS), have also been associated with the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While some studies suggest ADHD medication may affect sleep, others contradict this assertion. Different factors can affect the effects of medication on sleep, such as the age of the patient before starting pharmacotherapy, duration of exposure to drugs and the dosage of the stimulant.
Supplements
People with ADHD usually suffer from a range of sleep issues, such as insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. This makes it difficult for them to get a restful night's sleep, which can affect their ability to focus during the daytime. Sleep issues can affect school and work performance. Certain people with ADHD have sleep disorders that are comorbid like obstructive sleep apnea or snoring. These disorders can be addressed through medication and lifestyle changes.
Exercise and diet can be beneficial especially in terms of increasing the intake of protein that promotes peaceful sleep. A relaxing routine at bedtime is also beneficial. It is essential to avoid caffeine which is a stimulant that can cause headaches and trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help alleviate sleep disorders caused by methylphenidate. It is a popular stimulant used to treat ADHD in adults and children. Melatonin has been proven to alleviate drowsiness and sleep issues in those who take methylphenidate. However it isn't able to diminish the symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin also shows promise for helping people sleep even if they don't take methylphenidate.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to improve ADHD symptoms in some studies, however more research is required. Omega-3s are present in walnuts, fish and salmon. Vitamin C is also utilized by some people suffering from ADHD but not less than one hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. It prevents the medication from being absorbed in the bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest 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 help improve ADHD symptoms in a few people, however, more research is required.
Psychoeducation is a form of therapy that is designed to educate children, teens and adults about ADHD and its consequences. It can assist people who suffer from ADHD gain more confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include the treatment of behavioural issues, which helps people to manage their social behavior. These treatments can be done individually or in a group. Psychoeducation may also include therapy for families and group support groups that can assist families cope with the strain of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are most productive when they sleep, particularly when the house is quiet. It isn't easy to get a restful night's sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep. In addition, poor sleep can impact working memory and make it harder to focus during the day.
Studies have shown that stimulants can improve sleep for some children and adults with ADHD However, they are also a danger of abuse and rebound symptoms. Thus, many doctors prefer using non-stimulants, particularly long-acting drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine work by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. However, they do so through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants may take longer to take effect but they usually have less adverse negative effects.
Some doctors also recommend taking melatonin supplements or using light therapy to help with sleep problems in patients with ADHD. Melatonin is a hormone created naturally by the body, regulates the circadian rhythm. It also helps promote sleep. It may be especially helpful for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which causes a delay of 2 hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a viable alternative to the use of medication for sleep disorders. It involves exposing the body to bright light throughout the day, in order to synchronize its internal clock and promote better sleep at night. It's not widely accessible and doctors do not endorse it, but it has proved 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 which can teach your child or yourself how to modify certain patterns of thinking and behavior. Changing these patterns can improve self-control, attention and working memory.
It is essential to talk to your healthcare professional about the best treatment plan for you or your child. A customized treatment plan is the most effective. Each situation is different. A good sleep hygiene routine and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders, but you'll need to discuss the particulars of your situation.