How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD Many people who suffer from ADHD experience racing thoughts and nighttime energy surges that make it difficult to sleep. If they do manage to fall asleep it's usually a struggle and unrefreshing. What many people don't know is that the same stimulant medication they take for their ADHD symptoms during the day can also help them sleep better at night. Medicines Restless sleep and insomnia are common among adults with ADHD. Certain stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can cause sleep issues for some people. The medical community suggests that patients discuss these issues with their doctor prior to trying any new sleeping medication. For most, the best course is to practice good sleep hygiene practices and choose the appropriate medication for their needs. Insomnia is not listed as a common adverse effect in the majority of scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However it is a common occurrence that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking up throughout the night. Many people suffering from ADHD have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, even when they aren't taking stimulant medications. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who struggle with sleeping take their ADHD medication before bedtime. MPH or methylphenidate is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. Oral MPH has been shown to increase the length of sleep and reduce the time required to fall asleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). adhd medication of oral MPH for promoting sleep is higher than that of the transdermal delivery system, or OROS formulation. Certain people who suffer from ADHD have trouble falling asleep due to the tingling sensations caused by restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS can make it difficult for certain people to fall asleep and could result in a lower quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007). MPH has been found to decrease the frequency of insomnia episodes in children with ADHD by reducing the amount of time awake at night, improving slow wave sleep and increasing the amount of rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been found to decrease sleep disturbances due to co-occurring disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and oppositional defiant disorder, as well as anxiety in children suffering from ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al. (2008); Hvolby et al., 2008). Clonidine is a central nervous depressant, which is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can aid people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting 4 hours. Some practitioners recommend antidepressants like trazodone (Desyrel), or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which have mild effects of sedation. Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people who have 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 treatments for ADHD, such as teacher training and classroom interventions. This type of therapy teaches children and adolescents to employ positive reinforcement for behavior instead of punishment. It also helps teach young people how to relax and take a more active part in their own sleep routine. Numerous studies have shown that children with ADHD are more likely to suffer from sleep issues. These problems are often caused by daytime issues. Many of these children have chronically poor sleep, leading to the accumulation of a sleep debt, resulting in a difficulty in waking the next day and a lack of vigilance during the day. Insufficient sleep can result in narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is correlated with lower concentration and vigilance as well as academic performance. Adults with ADHD are also susceptible to having difficulty falling and staying asleep, which can affect their daytime performance. In addition, the majority of adults report that they feel more restless and unable to put their bodies and minds down at night than other people who do not have ADHD do. Sometimes, their agitated minds can cause them to awake at night. The relationship between ADHD and sleep is a complex and both disorders can affect each other in a variety of ways. Numerous research studies have shown that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep disorders and in certain instances the two disorders might even overlap and mirror each other (Cortese and colleagues., 2006a). Additionally, sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are often related to the hyperactivity of ADHD. Although a number of studies suggest that ADHD medications can impair sleep in some people however, other studies contradict this assertion. Many factors can influence the effects of medications on sleep, such as the age of the patient when beginning pharmacotherapy, the length of drug exposure and the dosage of the stimulant. Supplements People with ADHD often have a variety of sleep issues, including insomnia and trouble falling asleep. This makes it difficult for them to get restful sleep, which affects their ability to focus throughout the day. These sleep issues can also interfere with the performance at work and school. Some people with ADHD also have sleep disorders like snoring or sleeping apnea. These conditions can be treated by medication and lifestyle modifications. Exercise and diet can be beneficial, especially when it comes to increasing the intake of protein, which promotes restful sleep. A peaceful routine at bedtime is also beneficial. It's important to avoid caffeine, which is a stimulant that can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping. Taking melatonin may help improve sleep problems caused by methylphenidate, which is a common stimulant used to treat ADHD in adults and children. A number of studies have proven that melatonin is helpful in reducing sleep problems and drowsiness in people who take methylphenidate. However, it does not appear to decrease core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin also shows promise for helping people sleep who don't take methylphenidate. In certain studies, omega-3 fatty acids were found to reduce ADHD symptoms. However further research is needed. Omega-3s are found in fish, walnuts 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 absorbing in the bloodstream. There isn't enough evidence to suggest that supplements to diet, like zinc and iron, could reduce ADHD symptoms. Pycnogenol, a standardized pine bark extract, has been reported to decrease ADHD symptoms for a few people. However, more research is required. Psychoeducation, a type of psychological treatment that teaches adolescents, children and adults on ADHD and its effects, can help people suffering from ADHD feel more comfortable and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also involve behavioral therapy, which can help people control their social behavior. These therapies can be offered either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation can also involve groups of support and family therapy groups that can assist families cope with the stress of living with ADHD. Other Options Many people with ADHD are at their best when they sleep, particularly if the house is quiet. However racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep can make it difficult to get a good night's rest. Additionally, a lack of sleep can affect memory and make it harder to concentrate during the daytime. Studies have proven that stimulants can improve sleep for some adults and children with ADHD, but they are also a risk of misuse and rebound symptoms. Many doctors favor nonstimulants such as long-acting medicines like methylphenidate, (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine function by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. However, they accomplish this through different ways. Nonstimulants take longer to work however, they have fewer adverse effects. Some doctors recommend melatonin as a light therapy for patients with ADHD who have sleep problems. Melatonin is a hormone created naturally by the body, aids in regulating the circadian rhythm. It also promotes sleep. It may be especially helpful for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which is a sleep disorder that causes a delay of 2 hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep. Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment to sleep disorders that involves exposure to bright light throughout the day to help synchronize your body's internal clock to promote a more peaceful sleep at night. It is not yet widely used or endorsed by doctors, but it has been proven to be beneficial for people with ADHD. Other treatments include psychoeducation as well as cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT, which is a kind of talk therapy that can teach your child or yourself how to change certain thinking patterns and behaviors. These patterns can be altered to help improve problems with self-control, attention and working memory. It's important to speak with your healthcare professional about the best treatment plan for you or your child. Every situation is unique and a bespoke plan is the most efficient. A good sleep hygiene routine and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders However, you'll need to discuss the particulars of your situation.
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