How ADHD Can Affect Your Sleep

Those who deal with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, constantly struggle with the ability to focus on daily tasks. Even simple and fun activities such as reading or listening to music can become difficult as the individual can find it hard to concentrate on one thing at a time. Unfortunately, having difficulty concentrating and completing tasks is only part of the struggles that a person with ADHD faces. They can also suffer from sleeping disorders. As a result, the individual can feel overwhelmed, groggy, confused, and have extreme difficulty focusing. Keep reading for the causes of sleep disorders of those who have ADHD.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

The circadian rhythm is much like having an internal clock that helps to develop your sleep-awake schedule. If you suffer from ADHD, your schedule will most likely be altered, making it difficult to have a consistent sleep-awake schedule. As a result, it can be hard to fall asleep, remain asleep, wake up and stay alert throughout the day. In the case of children with ADHD, they may have trouble calming down enough to go to sleep.

ADHD Medications and Caffeine

Caffeine can greatly affect sleeping habits, especially if the individual ingests caffeine too late in the day. For those who take ADHD stimulant medications, it can create problems when trying to sleep. Likewise, for those who take ADHD nonstimulant medications, it can cause drowsiness.

Breathing Disorders

Unfortunately breathing disorders are common in those who have ADHD. This can include suffering from obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. It is most likely that those who suffer from breathing disorders breathe  more often through the mouth and have other nasal obstructions.  It is unclear of the direct correlation between ADHD and breathing disorders, although it is believed that brain function is altered when one breathes through the mouth. However, one solution is to remove the tonsils as a way to help relieve the breathing issues.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome, or RLS, includes an individual having an uncontrollable need to move their legs almost constantly. It can especially flare up in the evenings or when the person is about to go to sleep. It has been noticed that many who suffer from ADHD also suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome, although the exact reasoning is unknown. Many who suffer from RLS also have night time cramping and uncontrollable jerking in their arms and legs. Often those who have RLS also suffer from Periodic Leg or Limb movements, where the individual will experience uncontrollable sudden movements throughout the body.

If you’d like to learn more about how ADHD affects your sleep, click here.