ADHD and Sleep Disorders

ADHD and sleep disorders often coincide, and each condition can make the other worse. Treating each respective disorder is an important part of dealing with a dual diagnosis.

A sleep sound machine may alleviate ADHD sleep disturbances

ADHD is attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, a diagnosable condition outlined in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). The disorder is closely related to attention deficit disorder (ADD), with the additional symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactive behavior.

Symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

• Inattention
  • Miss details
  • Careless mistakes
  • Inability to maintain attention
  • Unable to follow directions
  • Fails to finish tasks
  • Disorganized
  • Avoids mentally challenging activities
  • Tends to lose things easily
  • Forgetful
  • Easily distracted

• Hyperactivity
  • Fidgety
  • Difficulty sitting for a normal amount of time
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive talking
  • Usually in motion
  • Difficulty controlling vocal volume

• Impulsivity
  • Interruptive
  • Responds before thinking
  • Difficulty waiting

Sleep disorders are typically associated with the inability to fall asleep, sleep apnea, waking frequently, behavior disoders, and excessive sleeping. The restless nature of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder makes people with this diagnosis at high risk for developing sleep problems. In addition, the sleep disturbances can worsen the symptoms of ADHD.

Sleep deprivation symptoms can aggravate the ADHD condition.

• Moodiness
• Slow reaction time
• Unmotivated
• Irritable
• Aggressiveness
• Hyperactivity
• Inattention
• Impulsiveness

The presence of the three main diagnostic criteria for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder makes the connection between ADHD and sleep disorders complicated. The main concern is the possible misdiagnosis of ADHD when a sleep condition is present.

People who are diagnosed with the attention disorder typically have difficulty falling asleep. The rest problem can occur because of some of the characteristics of ADHD. Some sleep problems can result from the following conditions:

• Poor sleep hygiene, leading to irregular bedtimes
• Losing track of time
• Unable to calm body movements
• Unable to calm mental functioning
• Medication side effects can include insomnia
• Tendency to wake during the night, followed by the inability to fall back asleep

[Children with ADHD] may be prescribed Ritalin, a stimulant drug that appears to have the opposite effect on younger patients than in adolescents and adults. Sleeplessness can be a side effect of the medication, but it can also be a symptom of ADHD.

Some children with the attention disorder have bedwetting problems, or nocturnal enuresis. Bedwetting can wake the child during the night and the episode may lead to the child's inability to fall back asleep. The child may have heightened stress after having a bedwetting episode, making falling asleep subsequent nights difficult.

Neurological problems associated with ADHD can interfere with the ability to sleep. Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder involves dysfunction in the central nervous system. The central nervous system is unable to regulate arousal and self-regulation. The problems with this system can translate into the individual's sleeping patterns.

Some postulate that the brain systems that regulate arousal and attention are also involved in regulating sleep patterns, and there is significant evidence to support this.

The National Center for Sleep Disorders Research notes that brain functioning problems involving the neurotransmissions in the domaminergic and noradrenergic systems may be present in sleep disturbances and in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. More research is necessary to develop a better understanding of the possible connections.

The National Center for Sleep Disorders research makes the following recommendations:

• Study the role of dompaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems in sleep patterns
• Study how sleep regulation, and arousal and attention relate to one another
• Establish the prevalence of sleep disorders in the general population as compared to children and adolescents with ADHD
• Examine the sleep disturbances through adolescence and into adulthood
• Study the relationships between primary sleep disorders as they relate to inattention and hyperactivity
• Study the effects of ADHD prescription medication
• Evaluate treatment options for sleeping problems in ADHD patients

Treating the sleep problem begins with a visit to a physician, who may recommend a sleep study. This process can help pinpoint the disturbances and it can be an important aspect of getting proper treatment.

Establishing strategies for treating sleeping problems associated with ADHD can help in many cases:

• Establish a specific bedtime and consistently follow through each night
• Wake up at the same time each day without "sleeping in" on the weekends or during vacations
• Maintain a regular exercise schedule in the morning or in the afternoon
• Avoid strenuous activity in the evening
• Do not smoke
• Keep caffeine to a minimum, with none ingested in the late afternoon or evening
• Avoid alcohol, especially before bed
• "White noise" can help by giving the brain something to process other than racing thoughts
• Avoid taking naps

The relationship between ADHD and sleep disorders is still being investigated. As more information about the respective conditions comes to light, effective treatments may soon follow.

• Sleep Requirements by Age
• Sleep Apnea Full Face Masks
• Foods Containing L-Tryptophan
• Why Is Sleep Important

• Pure Sleep
• Melatonin Forums
• How to Put Someone to Sleep
• Stop Snoring Mouthpiece
• How Long Can You Live Without Sleep

• Benefits for Treating a Sleep Disorder
• Physical Effects of Sleep Deprivation