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How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD

Sleeping is difficult for many people with ADHD due to racing thoughts and nighttime energy surges. If they do manage to fall asleep, it's often restless and unrefreshing.

But what people don't realize is that the stimulant medication they use to treat their ADHD symptoms during the day can aid them in sleeping better at night.

Medications

Insomnia and restless sleep are common among adults with ADHD. Certain stimulant medications that are used to treat ADHD can cause problems with sleep. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to attempting any new sleeping medications. For the majority of patients, the best course is to practice good practices for sleeping hygiene and choose the appropriate medication for their needs.

Sleepiness is not mentioned as a frequent condition in the majority of scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However it is a common occurrence that people with ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking up throughout the night. In fact, many people with ADHD have difficulty staying asleep even when they are not taking stimulant medication. About adhd medication -thirds (or more) of my patients who struggle with sleeping do so by taking their ADHD medication prior to bedtime.

MPH or methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed medication to treat ADHD. MPH oral was found to extend the time spent in deep sleep and decrease the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). Oral MPH is more efficient than OROS formulations for encouraging sleep.

RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause difficulty falling asleep in some people with ADHD. RLS can cause difficulty for some people to fall asleep and may cause a decrease in the quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).

MPH reduces the frequency of insomnia in children with ADHD. This is achieved by decreasing the time spent awake and increasing the amount of slow wave sleep, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been found to reduce sleep disturbances due to other disorders that are comorbid, such as obstructive sleep apnea or oppositional defiant disorder. 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 system depressant often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, is used to help those suffering from ADHD to fall asleep, causing sedation that lasts four hours. Some doctors recommend antidepressants like trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine, (Remeron) Both have moderate effects on sedation.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy can aid in improving sleep for people suffering from ADHD. This kind of therapy focuses primarily on teaching teens and children new skills to promote better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often integrated with other treatments for ADHD including parent training and classroom interventions. This type of therapy teaches youngsters and teens to reinforce positive behavior, instead of punishing them. It also helps young people to relax and take a more active part in their sleeping routine.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that children with ADHD are more likely to suffer from problems with sleep. These issues are usually caused by daytime issues. Many of these kids have chronically poor sleep that can cause "sleep deficiency" and makes it more difficult for them to wake up in the morning. They also have trouble maintaining vigilance throughout the day. Inadequate sleep duration can also cause narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is associated with decreased concentration, vigilance, and academic performance.

Adults with ADHD are also at risk of experiencing difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, which can have a significant impact on their daytime performance. Additionally, many adults say they are more restless and in a position to shut their minds and bodies to sleep than people with ADHD do. Their anxious minds can wake them up during the night.

The relationship between ADHD and sleep disorders is complex. Both disorders impact each other in different ways. Many research studies report that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep issues, and in some cases the two disorders might even be similar to one another (Cortese et al., 2006a). Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) have also been linked to the hyperactivity of ADHD.

Although some studies suggest that ADHD medication may affect sleep, others dispute this finding. Various factors can affect the effects of medication on sleep, including the age of the patient before starting pharmacotherapy, duration of exposure to the drug and the dose of the stimulant.

Supplements

People with ADHD are often plagued by sleep problems like insomnia and trouble getting to sleep. This makes it difficult for them to get restful sleep, which affects their ability to concentrate during the day. These sleep issues can also hinder academic performance and work performance. Some people with ADHD also have sleep issues such as snoring or obstructive sleeping apnea. These disorders can be addressed with medication and lifestyle changes.

Exercise and diet can be beneficial, especially when it involves increasing your protein intake, since it promotes restful sleep. A peaceful routine at bedtime is also beneficial. It's important to avoid caffeine which is a stimulant, and can cause headaches as well as trouble sleeping.

Melatonin is a sleep aid that can ease issues caused by methylphenidate. This is a common stimulant that is used to treat ADHD as well as in children as well as adults. Melatonin has been proven to help with drowsiness, and sleep problems in people who take methylphenidate. However, it does not seem to alleviate the main symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping to improve sleep for those who don't take methylphenidate.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce ADHD symptoms in a few studies, however more research is needed. Fish, walnuts, and salmon are all good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is another supplement that people suffering from ADHD take however it is not recommended to take it less than an hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. It prevents the meds from getting into the bloodstream.

There is a lack of evidence to show that other supplements in the diet like iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract standardized from pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been found to improve ADHD symptoms in some individuals, however more research is needed.

Psychoeducation, a kind of psychotherapy that teaches teens, children, and adults about ADHD and its effects, can help those with ADHD feel more confident and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also incorporate the use of behavioural therapy to help people learn to manage their behavior when they are in social situations. These treatments can be done individually or in a group. 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 suffering from ADHD are at their best when they are asleep, especially in a quiet home. However, racing thoughts and difficulties falling asleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's rest. Poor sleep can also affect your working memory, making it difficult to focus.

Studies have shown that stimulants can improve sleep quality for children and adults with ADHD However, they are also a risk of misuse and rebound symptoms. Many doctors prefer nonstimulants such as long-acting medications like methylphenidate, (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine operate by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. They accomplish this through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer time to effect however, they have fewer adverse effects.

Some professionals also recommend supplementing with melatonin or light therapy to help with sleep issues in patients suffering from ADHD. Melatonin, a hormone produced naturally by the body, regulates the circadian rhythm. It also helps promote sleep. It is particularly helpful for people suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which results in a delay of two hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.

Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment to sleep disorders that requires exposure to bright light during the day to help synchronize the body's internal clock to promote a more peaceful sleep at night. It's not yet widely accessible or recommended by medical professionals, however it has been proven to be beneficial for those with ADHD.


Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is a kind of talk therapy that can teach a child or you how to change certain patterns of thought and behavior. These patterns can be changed to help improve problems with self-control, attention and working memory.

It is essential to talk to your healthcare professional about what the most effective treatment strategy is for you or your children. A customized treatment plan is the most efficient. Each situation is unique. Good sleep hygiene practices and medication can help improve both ADHD and sleep disorders, but you'll need to discuss the specifics of your case.

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