How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people suffering from ADHD experience racing thoughts and energy surges that make it difficult to sleep. When they do sleep it's often a struggle to sleep and not reviving.
What many people don't know is that the stimulant medication they use to treat their ADHD symptoms during the day can also aid them in sleeping better at night.
Medicines
Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to shut off their brain at bedtime that can cause insomnia and a lack of sleep. For some, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can lead to issues with sleep. The medical community suggests that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to attempting any new sleep medication. The majority of people will discover that the best way to manage their sleep is to take the correct medication and maintain good habits of sleep hygiene.
Sleepiness is not mentioned as a typical adverse effect in the majority of scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However it is commonplace that people suffering from ADHD are unable to fall asleep or waking up throughout the night. In fact, many people who suffer from ADHD struggle to sleep even when not taking stimulant medications. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who struggle with sleeping take their ADHD medication prior to bedtime.
The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. It is also called ADD or MPH. MPH oral was found to increase the length of sleep and to reduce the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe, et al. 2008). The effectiveness of oral MPH for promoting sleep is higher than the transdermal delivery system OROS, also known as OROS formulation.
Certain people with ADHD are unable to fall asleep because of the tingling sensations associated with restless leg syndrome or RLS. RLS can make it difficult for some people to sleep and could result in an unsatisfactory quality of sleep.
MPH can reduce the frequency of insomnia in children with ADHD. This is achieved by reducing the time spent awake, increasing slow wave sleep, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to decrease sleep disturbances caused by co-morbid disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or oppositional disorder in a few children with ADHD.
Clonidine is a central nervous depressant that is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can help people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting four hours. Some physicians also recommend antidepressant drugs such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which have moderate sedative effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people who have ADHD. This type of therapy focuses primarily on teaching teens and children new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often paired with other types of treatment for ADHD, such as teacher training and classroom interventions. This kind of therapy teaches children and adolescents to use positive reinforcement of behavior instead of punishment. It also helps teach young people how to relax and play a more active role in their own sleep routine.
Numerous studies have shown that children suffering from ADHD are more likely to suffer from sleep problems. These issues are typically caused by daytime issues. Many of them suffer from chronically poor sleep, which leads to a buildup of a "sleep debt," resulting in a more difficult time getting up the next morning and a lack of alertness throughout the day. Inadequate duration of sleep also can lead to the development of a sleep disorder dubbed narcolepsy, which is linked to a decreased vigilance, concentration and poor academic performance.
Adults who suffer from ADHD are also prone to experiencing difficulty falling asleep and sleeping, which can have a significant impact on their daytime performance. Most adults also complain of feeling more agitated at night and being unable to shut their bodies and minds more than those who do not have ADHD. Often, their restless minds can cause them to wake up during the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complicated and both disorders can affect each other in a variety of ways. In numerous research studies, ADHD is reported as an important risk factor for sleep problems. In some cases, these two disorders can overlap and be similar to each other (Cortese and co. 2006a). Additionally, sleep disorders, including apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are frequently connected to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While several studies suggest that ADHD medication can interfere with sleep in certain people, other reports contradict this assertion. Many factors can influence the effects of medication on sleep, including the age of the patient when starting pharmacotherapy, duration of drug exposure and the dose of the stimulant.
Supplements
People with ADHD typically suffer from a variety of sleep problems, including insomnia and trouble falling asleep. This makes it difficult to sleep soundly which can hinder their ability to focus during the day. Sleep issues can affect work and school performance. Some people with ADHD also have sleep issues like snoring or sleeping apnea. These are treatable by medication and lifestyle adjustments.
Exercise and diet can help especially when it comes to increasing the intake of protein, which promotes restful sleep. A peaceful bedtime routine could be helpful. Avoid caffeine because it's a stimulant and can cause headaches and difficulty sleeping.
Melatonin may help with sleep problems caused by methylphenidate. It is a popular stimulant that is used to treat ADHD, both in children and adults. Several studies have shown that melatonin can help with drowsiness and sleeping difficulties for people who take methylphenidate, though it does not appear to decrease the underlying ADHD symptoms. Melatonin has also shown promise in assisting with sleep for those who don't take methylphenidate.
In certain studies, omega-3 fat acids were shown to decrease ADHD symptoms. However there is more research to be done. Omega-3s are found in walnuts, fish, and salmon. Vitamin C is a different supplement that people suffering from ADHD use however, it should not be taken less than a half hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. Vitamin C prevents the medication from being absorbed in the bloodstream.
There is limited evidence to suggest that other supplements to diet, like zinc and iron, may reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract that is standardized from pine bark called Pycnogenol has been proven to improve ADHD symptoms in certain people, however, more research is needed.
Psychoeducation is a treatment for psychological issues that is designed to inform children, teens and adults about ADHD and its effects. It can assist people who suffer from ADHD gain more confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also involve behavioral therapy, which can help people learn to control their social behavior. over the counter adhd medication Iam Psychiatry can be performed either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation can also involve family therapy and group support groups, which can help families cope with the stress of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are most 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. Poor sleep can also affect working memory making it difficult to focus.
Researchers have discovered that stimulants may improve sleep in adults and children with ADHD. However, they can also cause rebound symptoms and misuse. Many doctors prefer nonstimulants such as long-acting medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine function by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. However, they accomplish this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer to act, but have fewer side-effects.
Some doctors also recommend taking melatonin supplements or light therapy to aid in sleep problems in patients with ADHD. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs that regulates the circadian rhythm and encourages sleep. It is particularly helpful in those with delayed sleep phase syndrome which causes a delay of two hours or more between your normal bedtime and the time you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological approach to sleep disturbances that involves exposure to bright light throughout the day to help synchronize the body's internal clock and encourage a more peaceful sleep at night. It is not yet widely available or endorsed by doctors, however it has been proven to be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Other options include psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is a kind of talk therapy that can help your child or you how to change certain thinking patterns and behaviors. These patterns can be changed 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 different, and a personalized plan is the most effective. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be treated with good sleep hygiene and medication, but you'll need to discuss your specific situation.