ADHD And Sleeping Disorder

The attention deficient hyperactivity disorder also known as ADHD  is a  disease that begins in childhood and encompasses symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and may or may persist to adulthood. These symptoms majorly interfere with regular  functioning of individual at school, at work, and in social situations. ADHD is present in approximately 7% of the children, and  is more common to boys. For a majority of people the disorder continues into adulthood, by careful managing can greatly improve quality of life for people with ADHD.

It is  estimated that nearly 25 to 50% of people with ADHD experience sleep problems, ranging from insomnia to other  secondary sleep conditions. Doctors are  now starting to realize the importance of treating sleep problems and the impact this can have on both ADHD symptoms and quality of life for ADHD patients and their families. 

Beginning around puberty, people with ADHD are more likely to experience shorter sleep time, problems falling early asleep and staying on bed for very long, and a higher risk of developing a sleep disorder. Nightmares are also very b common in children with ADHD, especially to those with insomnia. 

Even those children who are rarely hyperactive during the day may experience racing thoughts and a burst of energy at night that interfere with sleeping. For some, night-time offers the perfect opportunity to “hyper focus” on project, as there are less distractions. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for them to settle down for sleep and it can lead to a disrupted sleep-wake schedule. Over time, insomnia may worsen as people start to develop feelings of stress and anxiety related to bedtime.

Many people with ADHD experience daytime sleepiness and difficulty waking up in the morning as a result of poor sleep during night . Others experience restlessness, non-refreshing sleep with multiple night-time awakenings, horrible nightmare .

Sleeping problems in ADHD appear to hit differently to people depending on the type of ADHD they are suffering from . Individuals with predominantly inattentive symptoms are more likely to have a later bedtime then usually , while those predominantly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are more likely to suffer from insomnia And sleeplessness. While Those with combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms experience both poor sleep quality and a later bedtime. Many ADHD symptoms are similar to symptoms of sleep deprivation. Among others, adult ADHD sleep problems include forgetfulness and difficulty in concentrating and focusing on things. In children, fatigue, anxiety, hyperactivity may present as being  impulsive and distracted . Sometimes it can be difficult to identify whether these issues are brought on by ADHD or by a lack of sleep. Such cases may lead to misdiagnoses or may allow sleep disorders to go undetected. Medical Experts therefore recommend screening patients for sleep problems before prescribing any medication for ADHD . 

Some of the most common sleep disorders to watch for in people with ADHD include:

Insomnia. Along with medications and trouble sticking to a schedule, there are other reasons for the people with ADHD are at high risk for insomnia. One may get a burst of energy at night, along with racing thoughts which make it hard to get to sleep. Even when you do sleep, it might not be restful  especially if you also have nightmares. 

Circadian-rhythm sleep disorders. Our  body makes changes throughout the day to adjust to the amount of light and darkness in a 24-hour period of time . Sometimes the body may not be in tune with the cycle and might not release hormones like melatonin at the right time which in turn, can make it hard to fall asleep. 

Sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea stop and start breathing throughout the night and suffer breathlessness . It messes with your rest period of the body and leaves you feeling tired. 

Restless legs syndrome (RLS). Symptoms include limb discomfort and a strong urge to move your legs  And hands while you sleep. Some people describe the feeling as pulling, throbbing, aching, or itching inside there Forelimbs and Hind limbs . 

Things to look out for symptoms of sleeping disorder in person with ADHD include:

• Trouble falling asleep and Trouble staying asleep
• Trouble waking up in the morning
• Waking up screaming out of anxiety
• Waking up coughing and suffering from breathing problems  like laboured breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep
• Strange noises during sleep
• Anger and Irritability
• Falling asleep in the middle of class
• Distractibility and difficulty in paying attention

1st stage of Treatment  involves asking the person about:

• About Their usual bedtime
• The general amount of time it takes them to fall asleep
• Problems Awakenings during the night
• Duration of Daytime naps
• Daytime and night time energy levels 

The doctor may also give the patients a sleep diary. They’ll ask to use the diary to record the patients sleeping habits over several weeks.

If the doctor suspects a sleep disorder, they may order different diagnostic tests other than the ADHD curing   . 

Some lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help the patients ADHD with sleep disorders include:

• Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day 
• Avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon 
• Avoiding alcohol and nicotine 
• Avoiding the use of electronics majorly  before bedtime
• Using the bed primarily for sleeping and never for activities like working, eating 
• Keeping the bedroom dark, and cool
• Getting enough exercise and physical activities during the day
• Avoiding heavy meals especially close to bedtime
• Establishing a relaxation routine before bed, such as reading books, listening to soft music , doing yoga, or taking a warm bath
• Using  a weighted blanket