How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people with ADHD experience racing thoughts and energy surges that make it difficult to fall asleep. When adhd without medication do fall asleep it's usually tense and not reviving.
Many people don't know that the same stimulant medications they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also help them sleep at night.
Medications
Sleeplessness and insomnia are common among adults suffering from ADHD. Some stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause sleep problems for certain people. Medical professionals advise that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleep medication. For most those, the best approach is to practice good hygiene guidelines for sleep and choose the appropriate medication to meet their needs.
Insomnia isn't listed as a typical condition in the majority of scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or staying awake throughout the night. In fact, many people with ADHD struggle to sleep even when not taking stimulant medications. I have observed that around two-thirds (or more) of the patients in my practice who are trouble sleeping take an dose of their ADHD medication before bed to aid in falling asleep.
The most commonly prescribed drug for ADHD is methylphenidate, also called ADD or MPH. Oral MPH was shown to extend the duration of deep sleep and to reduce the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe, et al. 2008). The efficacy of oral MPH in promoting sleep is higher than that of the transdermal delivery system OROS, or OROS formulation.
Certain people who suffer from ADHD struggle to fall asleep because of the tingling sensations caused by restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS can make it difficult for some people to fall asleep, and can result in a lower quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese, 2007).
MPH has been proven to reduce the frequency of insomnia-related episodes in children with ADHD by reducing the amount of time spent awake at night, enhancing slow wave sleep and enhancing the amount of rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been found to reduce sleep disturbances caused by co-occurring disorders like sleep apnea that is obstructive 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 is a central nerve depressant that is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can aid people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting 4 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 help improve sleep for people suffering from ADHD. This type of therapy focuses on teaching children and adolescents new skills that will promote better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often integrated with other types of treatment for ADHD, such as teacher training and classroom interventions. This kind of therapy teaches youngsters and adolescents to utilize positive reinforcement for behavior instead of punishment. It also helps teach young people how to relax and take a more active role in their own sleep routine.
Numerous studies have shown that the majority of children with ADHD suffer from sleep issues that are frequently related to daytime impairments. Many of these children have chronically poor sleep that can cause "sleep deficiency" and makes it difficult to get up in the morning. They also have trouble maintaining vigilance throughout the day. A lack of sleep causes the development of a sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy. It is linked to a decrease in vigilance and concentration, as well as poor academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are also prone to having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This can have a significant impact on their ability to function throughout the daytime. In addition, the majority of adults are more agitated and unable to close their minds and bodies down at night than other people with ADHD do. Their agitated minds often make them wake at night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep disorders, is a complicated. Both disorders affect each one in different ways. Numerous studies show that ADHD is an important risk factor for sleep issues, and in some cases, the two disorders may even overlap and mimic one another (Cortese and co., 2006a). In addition sleep disorders, like apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are frequently connected to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While a variety of studies suggest ADHD medications can affect sleep in some people, other reports contradict this finding. Different factors can affect the effects of medications on sleep, such as the age of the patient before starting pharmacotherapy, duration of drug exposure and the dosage of the stimulant.
Supplements
People suffering from ADHD usually suffer from a range of sleep issues, such as insomnia and trouble falling asleep. This makes it difficult to sleep soundly which may affect their ability to focus during the day. Sleep issues can affect the performance at work and school. Certain people with ADHD have sleep disorders that are comorbid, such as obstructive sleep apnea, or snoring. These are treatable with medication and lifestyle changes.
Diet and exercise can help, especially in terms of increasing the intake of protein which can promote peaceful sleep. A peaceful routine at bedtime is also beneficial. It is essential to avoid caffeine which is a stimulant that can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping.
Taking melatonin may help improve sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. It is a commonly used stimulant to treat ADHD in children and adults. Numerous studies have demonstrated that melatonin is helpful in reducing insomnia and sleep issues in people who take methylphenidate, though it doesn't appear to help reduce the underlying ADHD symptoms. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping to improve sleeping in people who do not take methylphenidate.
Omega-3 fats have been proven to improve ADHD symptoms in some studies, however more research is needed. Fish such as walnuts, salmon, and fish are good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is also used by some individuals suffering from ADHD, but not less than an hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. It stops the meds from getting into the bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest that dietary supplementation, such as zinc and iron, may reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract standardized from pine bark called Pycnogenol has been proven to reduce ADHD symptoms in certain individuals, however more research is needed.
Psychoeducation is a treatment for psychological issues that is designed to educate teens, children, and adults on ADHD and its consequences. It can help those with ADHD gain more confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also include behavioural therapy, which helps people manage their behavior when they are in social situations. The treatments can be performed individually or in a group. Psychoeducation can involve therapy for families and support groups to help families deal with stress caused by ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD feel their best at night, when the house is quiet and distractions are low. It isn't easy to get a restful night's sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulties falling asleep. Additionally, a lack of sleep can affect memory and make it difficult to concentrate throughout the day.
Researchers have found that stimulants can help improve sleep for adults as well as children with ADHD. However they can also trigger adverse effects and misuse. Thus many doctors prefer to use nonstimulants, especially long-acting medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) are able to increase the levels of dopamine in your brain. However, they accomplish this through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants may take longer to work but they usually have less adverse negative effects.
Some doctors also recommend supplementing with melatonin or light therapy to help with sleep issues in patients suffering from ADHD. Melatonin is a hormone created naturally by the body, regulates the circadian rhythm. It also aids in promoting sleep. It can be especially beneficial for people suffering from delayed-sleep syndrome, which is a sleep disorder that is characterized by an inability to sleep for at least two hours between when you usually go to bed and the time you go to sleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological solution to sleep disorders that requires exposure to bright light during the day to help synchronize the body's internal clock and encourage a more peaceful sleep at night. It's not widely accessible and doctors do not endorse it, however it has been proved to be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy which can help a child or an adult learn how to alter certain patterns of thought and behavior. These patterns can be altered to reduce problems with focus, self-control and working memory.
It is essential to talk with your doctor about what the most effective treatment plan is for you or your children. Each situation is unique, and a personalized strategy will be the most effective. Good sleep hygiene practices and medications can help with ADHD and sleep disorders But you'll have to discuss the particulars of your situation.