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ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by deficits in attention, and concentration along with hyperactivity or impulsivity. Oftentimes, people with ADHD have a hard time with sleep. In fact, studies suggest nearly three out of every four children and teens, as well as up to four out of five adults with ADHD, also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia. These sleep disorders can lead to a lot of issues including worsening a person’s ADHD symptoms.
What is the link between sleep disorders and ADHD?
Below are some plausible explanations that take a look at the link between sleep disturbances and ADHD.
Biological Components
Neurotransmitters involved in sleep are also connected to ADHD. For instance, the neurotransmitter GABA is in charge of inhibition. GABA is often less readily available in people with ADHD, which might make falling asleep challenging.
Many persons with ADHD also frequently experience delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), a circadian rhythm disorder. Another issue observed in patients with ADHD is a delay in the onset of the hormone melatonin, which is linked to sleep.
Learn more about Why People With ADHD Are More Focused At Night?
Behavioral Components
ADHD symptoms can work together all day to make sleeping later in the evening less favorable. But because they can focus best at night, many people with ADHD choose to remain up late. For some people, sleeplessness is also caused by stimulant drugs.
How does ADHD medication affect sleep?
With the soothing effects of stimulant drugs, which are frequently used for ADHD, some people find it easier to fall asleep. Even so, for many people, stimulant medicines can result in a variety of sleep issues. Poor sleep hygiene and co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, or substance abuse are likely contributing factors to sleep problems.
Common Sleep Disorders People with ADHD may have
A few specific sleep disorders are more common in people with ADHD than they would normally be, in addition to generalized insomnia. Because of how frequently certain sleep disorders’ symptoms match ADHD symptoms, underlying sleep disorders may go untreated.
Breathing disorders
Children and adults with ADHD frequently experience obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and other sleep-related breathing issues, though doctors aren’t entirely sure why. The symptoms of both ADHD and sleep-related respiratory problems in children generally become better after the tonsils are removed.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
Adolescents with ADHD are typically more alert in the evening. It may be challenging to keep appointments for work or school with this unusual schedule. Circadian rhythm sleep difficulties may be caused by smaller pineal glands, alterations in clock genes, and delayed melatonin release in people with ADHD. You may want to try a strong light treatment or take melatonin supplements at specific times.
Narcolepsy
People who have narcolepsy frequently fall asleep unexpectedly during the day and may struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Narcolepsy in adults is twice as likely to be accompanied by childhood ADHD. Although the connection between the two is unclear, experts think that ADHD symptoms could be triggered by narcolepsy-induced tiredness. It’s also possible that both diseases have a common underlying cause, such as a defective gene or a neurotransmitter dysfunction. Medication is typically used to treat narcolepsy.
Restless Legs Syndrome RLS
Restless Legs Syndrome is another frequent comorbid condition. People with RLS have an almost compulsive urge to move their legs. When they go to bed at night and during the day, it is especially obvious. Although RLS is uncommon in the overall child population, it is quite common in kids with ADHD. Researchers don’t yet know the cause. It could simply be that the symptoms of the two illnesses are so similar that it’s challenging to distinguish between them while a person is asleep.
Watch: [ADHD and Sleep Problems]
We hope you found this article useful in learning more about how ADHD affects a person’s sleep. To know more about how you can sleep with ADHD, check out our article: How To Put The ADHD Brain To Sleep? 7 Easy Sleep Solutions
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