How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Sleeping is a challenge for many people suffering from ADHD due to racing thoughts and nighttime energy surges. If they do fall asleep, it's often restless and unrefreshing.
Most people aren't aware that the same stimulant medications they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also help them sleep at night.
Medications
Many people with ADHD struggle to shut down their brain at bedtime that can cause insomnia and sleeplessness. For some, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause issues with sleep. Medical professionals suggest that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to attempting any new sleep medications. Most people will find that the best approach to manage their sleep is to use the correct medication and maintain good sleep hygiene.
The majority of scientific research on the effects of ADHD medications on sleep do not mention insomnia as a side effect, but it is common for people suffering from ADHD to have trouble getting to sleep and then waking throughout the night. Many people with ADHD struggle to fall asleep and staying asleep, even when they aren't taking stimulant drugs. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who have difficulty sleeping take their ADHD medication before the time they go to bed.
MPH or methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication to treat ADHD. medication for autism and adhd has been proven to reduce the time taken for people to fall asleep, and also increase the length of their sleep (Radcliffe and co., 2008). The efficacy of oral MPH for promoting sleep is greater than that of the transdermal delivery system, or OROS formulation.
Some individuals with ADHD are unable to fall asleep because of the tingling sensations caused by restless leg syndrome or RLS. RLS can make it difficult for certain people to fall asleep and may result in a lower quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
MPH helps reduce the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. This is accomplished by reducing the amount of time awake and increasing sleep at night, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been found to reduce sleep disturbances due to comorbid disorders such as sleep apnea with obstruction and oppositional defiant disorder, as well as anxiety in some children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al., 2008; Hvolby et al., 2008).
Clonidine is a central depressant, which is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can help people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting four hours. Some doctors recommend antidepressants such as trazodone, (Desyrel), or mirtazapine (Remeron), which both have mild sedative effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people with ADHD. This type of therapy focuses mostly on teaching children and teens new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is often paired with classroom training for parents and parent intervention. This kind of therapy helps children and adolescents to employ positive reinforcement for behavior instead of punishment. It also teaches young people to relax and play a more actively in their sleep routine.
A variety of studies show that the majority of children with ADHD suffer from sleep issues that are frequently associated with daytime impairments. Many of these children have chronically poor sleep, which leads to the accumulation of a "sleep debt," resulting in a more difficult time getting up the next morning and a decrease in alertness throughout the daytime. Insufficient sleep can lead to the development of a sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy. It is linked to decreased vigilance and concentration and poor academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This can have a huge impact on their performance throughout the daytime. In addition, the majority of adults are more restless and in a position to put their bodies and minds down at night like people with ADHD do. Often, their restless minds can cause them to awake at night.
The relationship between ADHD, and sleep disorders, is a complicated. Both disorders influence each other in a variety of ways. Numerous research studies have shown that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep disorders, and in some cases, the two disorders may even be similar to one another (Cortese and co. 2006a). Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and periodic movement of the limbs in sleep (PLMS), have also been linked to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While several studies suggest that ADHD medications can impair sleep in some individuals However, other research contradicts this conclusion. Different factors can affect medication effects on sleep, including the age of the patient at the time of beginning pharmacotherapy, the length of exposure to drugs, and the dose of the stimulant.
Supplements
People with ADHD typically suffer from a variety of sleep issues, such as insomnia and trouble 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. These sleep issues can also affect the performance at work and school. Certain people with ADHD also have sleep issues like snoring or sleeping apnea. These can be treated with medication and lifestyle modifications.
Exercise and diet can be beneficial, especially when it involves increasing your protein intake since it promotes restful sleep. A restful bedtime routine is also helpful. It's important to avoid caffeine, which is a stimulant and can cause headaches and trouble sleeping.
Melatonin is a sleep aid that can ease problems caused by methylphenidate. This is a well-known stimulant used to treat ADHD, both in children and adults. A number of studies have proven that melatonin can help with insomnia and sleep issues for people who take methylphenidate, though it doesn't seem to reduce core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping sleepers who do not take methylphenidate.
In some studies, omega-3 fatty acids were proven to reduce ADHD symptoms. However there is more research to be done. Fish such as walnuts, salmon, and fish are good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is a different supplement that people suffering from ADHD take however, it shouldn't be taken less than an hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. It stops the meds from being absorbed into bloodstream.
There is a lack of evidence to show that other dietary supplements, such as iron and zinc, help reduce ADHD symptoms. However, a standardized extract of pine bark called Pycnogenol has been proven to help improve ADHD symptoms in certain people, but more research is needed.
Psychoeducation, a kind of psychological treatment that educates teens, children, and adults about ADHD and its effects, can help people with ADHD feel more confident and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include behavioural therapy, which helps people learn to manage their behavior when they are in social situations. These treatments can be given in groups or individually. Psychoeducation may also include groups of support and family therapy groups that can assist families cope with the strain of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people suffering from ADHD have the best mood at the night, when the house is peaceful and distractions are low. However racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's sleep. Poor sleep can also affect working memory and make it difficult to focus.
Researchers have found that stimulants can help improve sleep in adults and children with ADHD. However they can also trigger adverse effects and misuse. Many doctors favor nonstimulants such as long-acting medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine work by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. However, they accomplish this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer time to effect and have less side-effects.
Some doctors also recommend taking melatonin supplements or light therapy to help with insomnia in people suffering from ADHD. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm as well as promotes sleep. It is particularly helpful for those suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which is a sleep disorder that results in a delay of two hours or more between the time you normally go to bed and the time you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a possible alternative to medications for sleep disorders. It involves exposing the body to bright daylight throughout the day in order to synchronize its internal clock, and encourage better sleep at night. It is not widely available and doctors do not recommend it, but it has shown to be beneficial to people suffering from ADHD.
Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy that can help a child or an adult learn how to modify certain thought patterns and behaviors. Changes in these patterns can help reduce problems with control of attention, self-control and working memory.
It's important that you speak to your healthcare professional about the best treatment plan is for you or your children. Each situation is unique, and a personalized plan will be most effective. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be treated with good sleep hygiene and medications, however you will need to discuss your particular situation.