How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Sleeping is difficult for many people with ADHD due to racing thoughts and a surge of energy at night. If they do manage to sleep it's usually 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.
Medicines
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to shut off their minds at night which can lead to insomnia and sleeplessness. For some, stimulant medication used to treat their ADHD can lead to problems with sleep. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleep medications. For the majority of patients, the best course is to follow good sleep hygiene practices and use the right medication for their needs.
Insomnia isn't listed as a typical condition in the majority of studies on the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking up all night. Many sufferers with ADHD struggle to fall asleep and staying asleep, even if they are not taking stimulant medication. I have observed that around two-thirds of patients in my practice who are trouble sleeping take a dose of their ADHD medication prior to bedtime to aid in falling asleep.
The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. It is also known as ADD or MPH. MPH oral has been proven to decrease the time it takes for people to fall asleep and improve the length of their sleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). Oral MPH is more effective than OROS formulation for promoting sleep.
RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS), can cause difficulty falling asleep in some people with ADHD. RLS can make it difficult for some people to go to sleep and could result in less quality sleep.
MPH reduces the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. This is accomplished by decreasing the time spent awake, increasing slow wave sleep and reducing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to decrease sleep disturbances caused by comorbid disorders such as obstructive sleeping apnea or oppositional defiant syndrome in children who suffer from ADHD.
Clonidine is a central depressant that is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can aid people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation that lasts for four hours. Some physicians also recommend antidepressant drugs such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron), both of which have moderate effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can help improve sleep in people who have ADHD. This type of therapy focuses on teaching teens and children new skills that will help improve their sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is often combined with training for parents and classroom intervention. This type of therapy teaches children and teens to promote positive behavior instead of punishing them. It also helps teach young people how to relax and take a more active part in their own sleep routine.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that children with ADHD are more likely to suffer from problems with sleep. These issues are usually related to daytime impairments. Many of these children suffer from chronically poor sleep, leading to the accumulation of a "sleep debt," resulting in a more difficult time waking up the next day and a lack of vigilance during the day. Insufficient sleep can lead to Narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is correlated with lower concentration and vigilance as well as 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. Most adults also report feeling more restless at night and being in a position to not be able to shut off their bodies and minds more than those who do not have ADHD. Their agitated minds often make them wake in the night.
The relationship between ADHD, and sleep disorders, is a complicated. Both disorders impact each the other in various ways. In a variety of research studies, ADHD is reported as a risk factor for sleep problems. In some instances both disorders may overlap and mimic one another (Cortese and co. 2006a). Sleep disorders, such as apnea, or periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), have also been linked to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While some studies suggest ADHD medication can affect sleep, others dispute this conclusion. The effects of medications on sleep can be affected by a variety of factors such as the age of the patient at the time of beginning treatment and the duration of exposure to the drug.
Supplements
People with ADHD are often plagued by sleep problems like insomnia and difficulties getting to sleep. This makes it difficult to sleep soundly which may affect their ability to concentrate during the day. These sleep issues can impact work and school performance. Some people with ADHD also have sleep issues like snoring or sleeping apnea. These can be treated by taking medication and making lifestyle adjustments.
Diet and exercise can help particularly in terms of increasing the amount of protein consumed, which promotes restful sleep. adhd medication uk is also helpful. It's important to avoid caffeine as it is a stimulant and can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help with sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. It is a popular stimulant used to treat ADHD, both in children and adults. Melatonin has been proven to help with drowsiness, and sleep problems in people who take methylphenidate. However, it does not seem to diminish the symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping people sleep who do not take methylphenidate.
adhd uk medication -3 fatty acids have been found to reduce ADHD symptoms in a few studies, but more research is needed. Omega-3s are present in walnuts, fish, and salmon. Vitamin C is also utilized by some people with ADHD, but not less than one hour prior to or following the taking of ADHD medication. It stops the meds from getting into the bloodstream.
There is limited evidence to suggest that supplements to diet, like zinc and iron, may reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract standardized from pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been found to improve ADHD symptoms in certain people, but more research is required.
Psychoeducation is a psychological treatment that seeks to educate teens, children and adults about ADHD and its consequences. It can help people with ADHD improve their confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also incorporate behavioural therapy, which helps individuals learn to control their behavior in social settings. These treatments can be given either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation may also include therapy for families and group support groups that can assist families cope with the stress of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are most at their best when they sleep, particularly when the house is quiet. However racing thoughts and issues falling asleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's sleep. Additionally, a lack of sleep can affect working memory and make it harder to focus during the day.
Researchers have found that stimulants can help improve sleep in adults and children with ADHD. However they can also trigger adverse effects and misuse. Thus many doctors prefer to use non-stimulants, specifically long-acting ones like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine function by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. However, they accomplish this through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer to act, but have fewer side-effects.
Some professionals recommend melatonin or light therapy for patients suffering from ADHD who suffer from sleep disorders. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm and promotes sleep. It may be especially helpful in those with delayed sleep phase syndrome which is a sleep disorder that causes a delay of two hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is an alternative to medications for sleep disorders. It involves the body being exposed to bright light throughout the day to synchronize its internal clock and promote better sleep at night. It isn't yet widely accessible or recommended by doctors, however it has been shown to be beneficial for people who suffer from ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a kind of talk therapy which can help a child or an adult learn how to modify certain patterns of thought and behavior. The change in these patterns could help to reduce problems with self-control, attention and working memory.
It is crucial to talk to your healthcare professional about what the most effective treatment plan is for you and your children. A customized treatment plan is the most effective. Each situation is different. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be treated by a healthy sleep routine and medications, but you will need to discuss your particular situation.