How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
It can be difficult to sleep for people suffering from ADHD due to racing thoughts and a surge of energy at night. If they do manage to fall asleep, it's often restless and not reviving.
But what people don't realize is that the same stimulant medication they take for their ADHD symptoms during the day may also aid them in sleeping better at night.
Medications
Insomnia and restless sleep are common among adults with ADHD. Some stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause sleep problems for certain people. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their doctor prior to trying any new sleep medications. Most people will find that the best approach to control their sleep is to take the correct medication and maintain good sleep hygiene.
Sleepiness is not mentioned as a frequent adverse effect in the majority of studies on the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However it is a common occurrence that people suffering from ADHD are unable to fall asleep or waking up all night. In fact, many with ADHD have trouble sleeping even when they are not taking stimulant medications. I find that about two-thirds of patients who have trouble sleeping take a dose of their ADHD medication at bedtime to help them fall asleep.
MPH or methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD. Oral MPH was shown to prolong the time spent in deep sleep and reduce the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe, et al. 2008). The efficacy of oral MPH to promote sleep is greater than that of the transdermal distribution system OROS, also known as OROS formulation.
Some individuals with ADHD are unable to fall asleep due to 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 shown to reduce the frequency of insomnia episodes in children with ADHD by reducing the amount of time awake at night, enhancing slow wave sleep, and increasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to reduce sleep disturbances caused by comorbid disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, also known as oppositional defiant syndrome in some children with ADHD.
Clonidine is a central nervous system depressant that is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, is used to help people with ADHD sleep by producing a sedative that lasts for four hours. Some doctors recommend antidepressants like trazodone (Desyrel), or mirtazapine (Remeron) Both have mild sedative effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep for people suffering from ADHD. This kind of therapy focuses on teaching children and adolescents new skills that can lead to better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is often combined with classroom training for parents and parent intervention. This type of therapy teaches youngsters and adolescents to utilize positive reinforcement of behavior instead of punishment. It also teaches children to relax and take a more active part in their routines of sleep.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that children suffering from ADHD are more likely to experience sleep problems. These problems are often associated with daytime impairments. Many of these children suffer from chronically poor sleep, which contributes to a buildup of a "sleep debt," resulting in a more difficult time waking up the next morning and a lack of sustained alertness throughout the day. Insufficient sleep can lead to the development of a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy. It is linked to a decrease in vigilance and concentration, as well as poor academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are also at risk of having difficulty falling and sleeping, which can have a significant impact on their daytime functioning. Many adults feel more agitated at night and are in a position to not be able to shut off their bodies and minds more than those who do not have ADHD. In many cases, their anxious minds can cause them to awake in the middle of the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is a complex, with both disorders influencing each other in a variety of ways. In many research studies, ADHD is reported as a risk factor for sleeping problems. In some cases both disorders may overlap and be akin to each other (Cortese, et al. 2006a). Additionally sleep disorders, such as apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), are related to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While several studies suggest that ADHD medications can affect sleep in some individuals However, other research contradicts this assertion. The effects of medication on sleep can be affected by a variety of factors, including the age of the patient at the time of starting the treatment and the duration of exposure to the drug.
Supplements
People with ADHD are often plagued by sleep issues such as insomnia and difficulty falling to sleep. This makes it difficult to get a restful night's sleep, which affects their ability to focus during the day. These sleep issues can hinder the performance at work and school. Certain people with ADHD suffer from comorbid sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, or snoring. These can be treated with medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Diet and exercise can be helpful, especially when it involves increasing your protein intake, since it promotes restful sleep. A relaxing bedtime routine can be helpful. Avoid caffeine because it's a stimulant that can cause headaches or trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help with sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. This is a common stimulant used to treat ADHD, both in children as well as adults. Melatonin has been proven to reduce drowsiness and sleep problems in people who take methylphenidate. However it isn't able to alleviate the main symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin has also proven to be effective in helping to improve sleep for those who don't take methylphenidate.
In certain studies, omega-3 fat acids were proven to decrease ADHD symptoms. However adhd no medication is needed. Omega-3s are found in walnuts, fish and salmon. Vitamin C is also utilized by some people with ADHD, but not less than a half hour before or after taking ADHD medication. It stops the medication from being absorbed in the bloodstream.
There isn't enough evidence to suggest that other dietary supplementation, such as zinc and iron, may reduce ADHD symptoms. However, a standardized extract of pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been reported to improve ADHD symptoms in a few people, however, more research is needed.
Psychoeducation is a form of therapy that is designed to inform children, teens, and adults on ADHD and its effects. It can help those with ADHD increase their confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also include the use of behavioural therapy to help individuals learn to control their behavior when they are in social situations. These therapies can be offered individually or in groups. Psychoeducation may include group therapy for families as well as support groups to help families cope with the stress that comes from ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are at their best when they sleep, particularly in a quiet home. However racing thoughts and issues falling asleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's sleep. In addition, poor sleep can impact working memory and make it difficult to concentrate throughout the daytime.
Studies have proven that stimulants can improve sleep quality for some children and adults with ADHD However, they are also a possibility of abuse and rebound symptoms. A lot of doctors prefer non-stimulants, like long-acting drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) are able to increase the levels of dopamine within your brain. They do this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants might take longer to work, but they generally have less side effects.
Some professionals also recommend taking melatonin supplements or using light therapy to treat insomnia in people suffering from ADHD. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps control the circadian rhythm as well as promotes sleep. It is particularly helpful for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which causes a delay of 2 hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological solution to sleep disturbances that involves exposure to bright light during the day to help synchronize your body's internal clock and promote a more peaceful sleep at night. It's not widely available and doctors do not endorse it, but it has shown to be beneficial to those suffering from ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of therapy that can teach you or a child how to change certain thought patterns and behaviors. These patterns can be altered to improve self-control, attention and working memory.
It's important that you speak with your doctor about what the most effective treatment plan is for you and your children. Every situation is unique, and a personalized strategy will be the most effective. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be treated by a healthy sleep routine and medications, but you'll need to talk about your particular situation.