How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD
Sleeping is difficult for many people suffering from ADHD due to racing thoughts and a surge of energy at night. If they do manage to sleep it's usually a struggle and not reviving.
But what many don't realize is that the stimulant medication they use to treat their ADHD symptoms during the day may also help them sleep better at night.
Medicines
Many people with ADHD struggle to shut off their brain at bedtime which can lead to insomnia and sleeplessness. For some, stimulant medication used to treat ADHD can lead to problems with sleep. The medical community suggests that patients discuss these issues with their doctor prior to trying any new sleep medication. Most people will find that the best way to control their sleep is to take the correct medication and adhere to good sleep hygiene.
Insomnia is not listed as a typical adverse effect in the majority of research papers on the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people suffering from ADHD struggle to fall asleep or waking all night. Many sufferers with ADHD struggle to fall asleep and staying asleep, even when they are not taking stimulant medication. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who have trouble sleeping take their ADHD medication prior to the time they go to bed.
The most frequently prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. It is also known as ADD or MPH. MPH oral has been proven to decrease the time required for people to fall asleep, and also increase the length of their sleep (Radcliffe and colleagues. 2008). Oral MPH is more efficient than OROS formulation in encouraging sleep.
RLS or restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause difficulties in falling asleep for people suffering from ADHD. RLS can cause difficulty for some people to fall asleep and may cause a poorer quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
MPH reduces the frequency of insomnia in children with ADHD. This is accomplished by reducing the time spent awake, increasing slow wave sleep and reducing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been proven to decrease sleep disturbances caused by co-morbid disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, also known as oppositional defiant syndrome in children who suffer from ADHD.
Clonidine is a central nerve depressant that is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can help people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting 4 hours. Some practitioners also recommend antidepressant drugs such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron), both of which possess mild effects on sedation.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy can help improve sleep in those with ADHD. This type of therapy concentrates on teaching teens and children new skills that will help improve their sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often paired with other forms of treatment for ADHD including teacher training and classroom interventions. This kind of therapy teaches children and adolescents to employ positive behavior reinforcement instead of punishment. It also teaches children to relax and play a more active part in their sleeping routine.
A number of studies indicate that the majority of children suffering from ADHD have sleep problems that are frequently related to daytime impairments. Many of these children suffer from chronically poor sleeping that causes "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 result in the condition known as narcolepsy. This sleep disorder is associated with decreased concentration and vigilance as well as academic performance.
Adults with ADHD are also prone to having trouble falling and sleeping, which can have a significant impact on their daytime functioning. In addition, most adults feel more restless and unable to shut their minds and bodies down at night than other people without ADHD do. Their agitated minds often make them wake at night.
The relationship between ADHD, and sleep disorders is complex. Both disorders influence each the other in different ways. Many research studies report that ADHD is an important risk factor for sleep disorders and, in some instances the two disorders might even overlap and mimic one another (Cortese and co., 2006a). Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and periodic movement of the limbs in sleep (PLMS) are also known to have been linked to the hyperactivity of ADHD.
While some studies suggest ADHD medication can affect sleep, others dispute this conclusion. Many factors can influence the effects of medications on sleep, including the age of the patient before starting pharmacotherapy, duration of drug exposure 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 focus throughout the day. Sleep issues can interfere with the performance at work and school. Certain people with ADHD have comorbid sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea or snoring. These disorders can be treated by medication and lifestyle modifications.
Exercise and diet can help especially in terms of increasing the amount of protein consumed that promotes restful sleep. A relaxing bedtime routine can also be helpful. Avoid caffeine because it's a stimulant and can cause headaches and difficulty sleeping.
Melatonin can help alleviate sleep disorders caused by methylphenidate, which is a popular stimulant used to treat ADHD in children and adults. Melatonin has been found to alleviate drowsiness and sleep issues in people who take methylphenidate. However it isn't able to alleviate the main symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin also shows promise for helping sleepers who do not take methylphenidate.
In some studies, omega-3 fatty acids were shown to decrease ADHD symptoms. However, more research is required. Omega-3s are present in walnuts, fish, and salmon. Vitamin C is also utilized by some people suffering from ADHD but not less than a half hour prior to or after taking ADHD medication. Vitamin C prevents the medication from absorbing in the bloodstream.
There is no evidence to suggest that other dietary supplements, such as iron and zinc, help reduce ADHD symptoms. However an extract standardized from pine bark known as Pycnogenol has been proven to reduce ADHD symptoms in a few people, however, more research is needed.
Psychoeducation, a form of psychotherapy that teaches adolescents, children and adults on ADHD and its consequences, can help people suffering from ADHD feel more confident and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include behavioural therapy, which helps people learn to manage their behavior when they are in social situations. The treatments can be provided either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation can also involve therapy for families and group support groups which can help families deal with the stress of living with ADHD.
Other Options
Many people with ADHD are most productive when they sleep, particularly if the house is quiet. However, racing thoughts and difficulties getting to sleep can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. A lack of sleep can affect working memory making it difficult to concentrate.
Researchers have found that stimulants can help improve sleep for adults as well as children with ADHD. However they can also cause adverse effects and misuse. So, many doctors prefer using non-stimulants, particularly long-acting drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine function by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. However, they do so through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants may take longer to take effect but they usually have less side effects.
Some professionals recommend melatonin or light therapy for patients suffering from ADHD who suffer from sleep disorders. Melatonin, a hormone produced naturally by the body, aids in regulating the circadian rhythm. It also aids in promoting sleep. It may be especially helpful in those with delayed sleep phase syndrome which is a sleep disorder that causes a delay of 2 hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep.
Light therapy is a non-pharmacological approach to sleep disorders that involves exposure to bright light throughout the day to synchronize the body's internal clock to promote an easier sleep at night. It's not widely available and doctors are not recommending it, but it has proved to be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Other options include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) which is a kind of talk therapy which can teach a child or you how to change certain thoughts and behaviors. Changes in these patterns can help decrease problems with control of attention, self-control and working memory.
It's important that you speak to your healthcare professional regarding what the best treatment plan is for you or your children. A personalized treatment plan is the most efficient. Every situation is unique. uk adhd medication that are effective and medications can help with ADHD and sleep disorders, but you'll need to discuss the specifics of your situation.