How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience racing thoughts and energy spurts that make it hard to fall asleep. If they do fall asleep, it's often restless and unrefreshing.
What many people don't know is that the same stimulant medication that they use to treat their ADHD symptoms during the day can help them sleep better at night.
Medicines
Sleeplessness and insomnia are common among people with ADHD. For some, stimulant medications that are used to treat ADHD can lead to issues with sleep. Medical professionals recommend that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleeping medications. Most people will find that the best approach to control their sleep is to use the right medication and follow good routines for sleeping.
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 common that people with ADHD have trouble falling asleep or waking up all night. Many people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep and staying asleep, even if they are not taking stimulant medications. I find that about two-thirds of patients in my practice who have trouble sleeping take an dose of their ADHD medication prior to bedtime to aid in falling asleep.
The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. buy adhd medication uk is also known as ADD or MPH. MPH oral has been proven to reduce the time it takes for individuals to fall asleep and increase the length of their sleep (Radcliffe et al. 2008). Oral MPH is more effective than OROS formulations for encouraging sleep.
Some individuals with ADHD are unable to fall asleep due to the tingling sensations that are associated with restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS can make it hard for some people to sleep and can lead to an unsatisfactory quality of sleep.
MPH helps reduce the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. This is achieved by decreasing the time spent awake and increasing sleep at night, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been proven to decrease sleep disturbances caused by other disorders that are comorbid, such as sleep apnea with obstruction or oppositional defiant disorder. anxiety in children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al., 2008; Hvolby et al., 2008).
Clonidine is a central nerve system depressant that is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, is used to help those suffering from ADHD fall asleep by producing a sedative that lasts for four hours. Some practitioners also recommend antidepressant drugs like trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which have moderate sedative effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can aid in improving sleep in people with ADHD. This kind of therapy focuses on teaching teens and children new skills that will help improve their sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is often paired with classroom training for parents and parent intervention. This type of therapy helps children and teens to reinforce positive behavior, instead of punishing them. It also helps teach youngsters to relax and take on a more active part in their sleep routine.
A variety of studies show that the majority of children with ADHD have sleep problems that are frequently related to daytime impairments. Many of these children suffer from chronically poor sleep, which causes "sleep deficiency" and makes it difficult to get up in the morning. They also have trouble maintaining vigilance throughout the day. Inadequate duration of sleep also can lead to the development of a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy, which is connected to a decreased vigilance, concentration and poor academic performance.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This can have a significant impact on their ability to function during the daytime. In addition, most adults say they are more restless and in a position to close their minds and bodies down at night like people who do not have ADHD do. Their restless minds often wake them up during the night.
The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complicated and both disorders impact each other in multiple ways. In a variety of research studies, ADHD is reported as a risk factor for sleeping issues. In some instances, these two disorders can overlap and mimic one another (Cortese and colleagues. 2006a). In addition, sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are often connected to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
Although a number of studies suggest that ADHD medications can affect sleep in certain people however, other studies contradict this conclusion. The effects of medication on sleep are affected by a variety of factors, including the age of the patient at the time of beginning treatment and the time of exposure to the drug.
Supplements
People suffering from ADHD often have a variety of sleep problems, including insomnia and difficulty falling asleep. This makes it difficult to achieve a restful sleep, which impacts their ability to concentrate during the day. These sleep issues can affect school and work performance. Certain people with ADHD suffer from comorbid sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea or snoring. These conditions can be treated by taking medication and making lifestyle adjustments.
Exercise and diet can be beneficial especially when it comes to increasing the amount of protein consumed, which promotes restful sleep. A peaceful routine before bed is also beneficial. Avoid caffeine because it's a stimulant and can cause headaches or trouble sleeping.
Melatonin can help alleviate sleep issues caused by methylphenidate, a popular stimulant used to treat ADHD in children and adults. A number of studies have proven that the melatonin helps with insomnia and sleep issues for people who take methylphenidate, though it does not appear to decrease the core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping people sleep who do not take methylphenidate.
In some studies, omega-3 fatty acids were found to decrease ADHD symptoms. However, more research is required. Fish, walnuts, and salmon are good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is a second supplement that a few people with ADHD take, but it should not be taken less than a half hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. It prevents the meds from being absorbed into bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest that other nutritional supplements, such as iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract that is standardized from pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been found to help improve ADHD symptoms in a few individuals, however more research is required.
Psychoeducation, a form of psychological treatment that educates adolescents, children, and adults about ADHD and its effects, can help people who suffer from ADHD feel more confident and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include the treatment of behavioural issues, which helps people to manage their social behavior. These treatments can be done either on their own or in a group. Psychoeducation may also include therapy for families and group support groups which can help families cope with the strain of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people suffering from ADHD are most productive when they sleep, particularly if the house is quiet. It can be difficult to get a good sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulty falling asleep. Poor sleep can also affect memory function and make it difficult to focus.
Studies have proven that stimulants can improve sleep quality for some children and adults with ADHD however, they come with the danger of abuse and rebound symptoms. Many doctors favor nonstimulants like long-acting drugs like methylphenidate, (Ritalin), and dextroamphetamine, (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) function by boosting the levels of dopamine in your brain. They do this by different mechanisms. Nonstimulants take longer to work, but have fewer side-effects.
Some professionals also recommend supplementing with melatonin or light therapy to aid in sleep problems in patients with ADHD. Melatonin, a hormone produced naturally by the body, regulates the circadian rhythm. It also promotes sleep. It can be especially beneficial for those suffering from delayed-sleep syndrome, which is an insomnia disorder characterized by a delay of at least two hours between when you normally go to bed and when you go to sleep.
Light therapy is a possible alternative to the use of medication for sleep disorders. It involves the body being exposed to bright daylight throughout the day in order to help synchronize the internal clock and help promote better sleeping at night. It is not widely available and doctors do not recommend it, however it has been shown to be beneficial to people with ADHD.
Other treatments include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy that can teach a child or you how to change certain thoughts and behaviors. Changes in these patterns can help decrease 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 will be most effective. Good sleep hygiene practices and medications can improve both ADHD and sleep disorders However, you'll need to discuss the specifics of your situation.