ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep is vital for your ability to concentrate, regulate your mood, general health and well-being. Unfortunately, many people with ADHD struggle with their sleep issues, so they do not get the sleep they need. It can take time and practice to develop an effective sleep routine that helps you get the sleep that you need. 

There are steps, however, that can aid in achieving an adequate amount of sleep for a good night's rest. These sleep strategies can help both children and adults learn how to fall asleep with their ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts one's ability to pay attention, sit still, and control their impulses. This is normal diagnosed in childhood and persists into adulthood. The hyperactivity of ADHD can make sleeping very difficult and can even cause the onset of insomnia. Read below to see how ADHD can cause insomnia, and what are some ways to manage this for better sleep. 

Overlap Between ADHD Symptoms and Sleep Deprivation Symptoms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and symptoms of sleep deprivation tend to overlap. An interesting question to consider is can sleep problems result in ADHD? If the answer is yes, there may be treatments available for some people with ADHD that are non-pharmacological.

Right now, there is no answer to this question. It is something that researchers, such as professor Sandra Kooij (Associate Professor of Psychiatry at VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, and founder and chair of the European Network Adult ADHD), are only just beginning to tackle.

Consider for a moment though, some of the most common symptoms of sleep deprivation [Brandon Peters, MD] that are also symptomatic of ADHD [WebMD]:

• Difficulty remaining attentive
• Lack of focus
• Impulsiveness
• Forgetfulness
• Impaired performance on common activities
• Poor prioritization/planning
• Disrupted sleep cycle

If you or your child struggle with ADHD you might also check in and see how your sleep is too.

Overlap Between ADHD Symptoms and Sleep Deprivation Symptoms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and symptoms of sleep deprivation have quite a bit of overlap. An interesting question to consider is: can sleep problems result in ADHD? The reason this question is interesting is because if the answer is yes, there may be treatments available for some people with ADHD that are non-pharmacological.