Click Here To Book an Appointment
Click Here To Call 727-203-4613
  • Contact Us
    • Providing Health and Well Being Through Proper Sleep Will Change Your Life
    Book an Appointment
    ADHD and Sleep Health

    Sleep disorders and ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can be related. If you look at children and adolescents, about three out of four of them who have ADHD also have a sleep disorder. The number is similar for adults with four out of five. These are pretty high numbers and are worth looking into further.

    Sleep disorders can leave people feeling exhausted during the day and hurt how well they function. There can also be long-term effects including: behavioral issues, physical illness and changes in mood. Usually adults just seem tired, but it can look different for kids. Fatigue in children can appear as exaggerated ADHD symptoms. They may be hyperactive, impulsive or even aggressive.

    It is important to understand how these conditions affect each other and why a sleep study may be just what you need to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

    Causes of Sleep Problems in Those with ADHD

    These things may be causing problems with sleeping:

    • Circadian Rhythm Disorders

      Sleep problems are common for people with ADHD. It may be because ADHD can mess up your circadian rhythm or sleep-awake cycle. This disruption can make it difficult to wake up, stay awake, fall asleep and think clearly. In young children with ADHD, they may have a hard time settling down for bed.

    • ADHD Medications and Caffeine

      ADHD stimulant medications or caffeine can make it hard to sleep at night. Nonstimulant ADHD medications can also be problematic because they make you drowsy during the day.

    • Breathing Disorders

      While the exact cause is unknown, breathing disorders are common among adults and children who have ADHD. These problems can include: obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and other sleep-related breathing disorders. One solution for kids with these issues could be to have their tonsils removed. Kids will usually see an improvement in both their sleep-related breathing disorders and their ADHD after the tonsils are out.

    • Restless Legs Syndrome

      Restless Legs Syndrome, or RLS, is another common coexisting condition. People that have this syndrome experience an intense need to move their legs around. This need is especially noticeable overnight. This condition is not usually common in children, but those who have ADHD also have RLS. The exact reason for this is unknown. It could be because the symptoms of each condition are very similar. They are hard to tell apart when the subject is asleep.

    Treating both ADHD and the sleep disorder is essential in improvement. A sleep study will help you to see the full extent of what may be going on in the body. Set up a sleep consultation today.

    Schedule a Consultation