A Relevant Rant About ADHD Sleep Medication

How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD

It can be difficult to sleep for people with ADHD due to their racing thoughts and a surge of energy at night. If they do manage to sleep it's usually restless and not reviving.

But what people don't realize is that the same stimulant medication they take for their ADHD symptoms during the day can help them sleep better at night.

Medicines

Sleeplessness and insomnia are common among adults suffering from ADHD. For some, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can cause issues with sleep. Medical professionals advise that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleep medication. Most people will find that the best method to control their sleep is to take the right medication and follow good sleep hygiene.

Insomnia isn't listed as a typical adverse effect in the majority of scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people with ADHD struggle to fall asleep or staying awake all night. In fact, many people with ADHD have trouble sleeping even if they're not taking stimulant medication. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who have difficulty sleeping do so by taking their ADHD medication before bedtime.

MPH or methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed medication to treat ADHD. Oral MPH was shown to extend the duration of deep sleep and to reduce the time needed to fall asleep (Radcliffe, et al. 2008). Oral MPH is more efficient than OROS formulation for improving sleep.

Some individuals who suffer from ADHD have trouble falling asleep due to the tingling sensations that are associated with restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS. RLS can make it difficult for certain people to fall asleep, and can cause a poorer quality of sleep (Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).

MPH helps reduce the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. It does this by reducing the amount of time awake and increasing sleep at night, and decreasing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been proven to reduce sleep disturbances caused by comorbid disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, oppositional defiant disorder or anxiety in children with ADHD and RLS (Gruber and Sadeh 2004; Breslau et al. (2008); Hvolby et al. 2008).

Clonidine is a central depressant that is usually prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can help those with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting four hours. Some practitioners also recommend antidepressant medications such as trazodone (Desyrel) or mirtazapine (Remeron) both of which have moderate sedative effects.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in people who have ADHD. This type of therapy concentrates primarily on teaching teens and children new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy for ADHD is usually combined with classroom training for parents and parent intervention. This kind of therapy teaches children and teens to promote positive behavior, instead of punishing them. It also helps young people to relax and play a more active part in their routines of sleep.

A number of studies indicate that the majority of children with ADHD have sleep problems that are often related to daytime impairments. Many of these kids suffer from chronically poor sleeping that contributes to "sleep deficiency" and makes it more difficult for them to wake up in the morning. They also lack vigilance and endurance throughout the day. Inadequate duration of sleep also causes the development of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy, which is linked to decreased vigilance and concentration, as well as poor academic performance.

Adults with ADHD are also prone to experiencing difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, which could have a significant impact on their daytime functioning. In addition, most adults feel more restless and unable to shut their minds and bodies to sleep than people who do not have ADHD do. Often, their restless minds make them awake at night.

The relationship between ADHD, and sleep disorders is complex. Both disorders affect each the other in a variety of ways. Numerous research studies have shown that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep problems and, in some instances both disorders could even be similar to one another (Cortese and colleagues., 2006a). Sleep disorders, such as apnea or periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) have also been associated with the hyperactivity of ADHD.

Although some studies suggest that ADHD medication can affect sleep, other studies contradict this assertion. Various factors can affect the effects of medication on sleep, such as the age of the patient before starting pharmacotherapy, the duration of drug exposure, and the dose of the stimulant.

Supplements

People with ADHD are often plagued by sleep issues like insomnia and trouble getting to sleep. This makes it difficult to get restful sleep, which can affect their ability to concentrate during the daytime. These sleep problems can also impact work and school performance. Many people with ADHD also have sleep issues such as snoring or obstructive sleeping apnea. These conditions can be treated by taking medication and making lifestyle modifications.

Diet and exercise can help especially in terms of increasing the amount of protein consumed which can promote peaceful sleep. A peaceful bedtime routine could also be beneficial. Avoid caffeine as it is a stimulant that can cause headaches and difficulty sleeping.

Melatonin supplementation can help with sleep issues caused by methylphenidate. It is a common stimulant used to treat ADHD in children and adults. Melatonin has been shown to alleviate drowsiness and sleep issues in people who are taking methylphenidate. However, it does not seem to alleviate the main symptoms of ADHD. Melatonin has also shown promise in helping with sleeping in people who do not take methylphenidate.

buy adhd medication online -3 fatty acids have been shown to help improve ADHD symptoms in some studies, but more research is needed. Omega-3s can be found in fish, walnuts and salmon. Vitamin C is also utilized by some people suffering from ADHD but not less than one hour prior to or following the taking of ADHD medication. Vitamin C prevents the medication from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

There is a lack of evidence to show that other dietary supplements, such as iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. Pycnogenol is a standard pine bark extract, has been reported to reduce ADHD symptoms for some people. However it is necessary to conduct more research.

Psychoeducation is a psychological treatment that aims to inform children, teens, and adults on ADHD and its consequences. It can assist people who suffer from ADHD gain more confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation may also include the treatment of behavioural issues, which helps people control their behavior in social situations. These therapies can be carried out either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation may also include groups of support and family therapy 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 when the house is quiet. It isn't easy to get a good sleep due to racing thoughts and difficulties falling asleep. In addition, poor sleep can affect memory and make it difficult to concentrate during the daytime.

Studies have shown that stimulants can improve sleep for children and adults with ADHD however, they are also a risk of misuse and rebound symptoms. Therefore many doctors prefer non-stimulants, particularly long-acting drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) work by increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain. However, they do so through different ways. Nonstimulants can take longer to work, but they generally have fewer side effects.

Some doctors recommend melatonin as a light therapy for patients with ADHD who have sleep problems. Melatonin, a hormone that is produced naturally by the body, helps regulate the circadian rhythm. It also aids in promoting sleep. It may be especially helpful for those suffering from delayed sleep phase syndrome which results in a delay of two hours or more between the time you normally go to bed and when you actually fall asleep.

Light therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment to sleep disorders that requires exposure to bright light throughout the day to help synchronize the body's internal clock to promote a more peaceful sleep at night. It's not yet widely accessible or recommended by medical professionals, however it has been proven to be beneficial for those with ADHD.

Other treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy which can teach a child or you how to modify certain thought patterns and behaviors. Changing these patterns can improve self-control, attention and working memory.

It is crucial to talk to your healthcare professional regarding what the best treatment plan is for you and your children. A customized treatment plan is the most effective. Each situation is different. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be improved with good sleep hygiene and medication, but you'll need to discuss your particular situation.