ADHD & Sleep
The links between ADHD and sleep issues are still unclear, as is the cause of ADHD in general. Both the symptoms of ADHD and some of its medications can affect sleeping patterns. Also, “sleep deprivation…can worsen ADHD symptoms.” Nearly 50% of kids with ADHD suffer from some sort of sleep problem and nearly 75% of adults with ADHD reported suffering from insomnia.
Common Sleep Problems Associated with ADHD:
- Anxiety or resistance about bedtime (in children)
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
- Sleep-disordered breathing and sleep apnea
- Interrupted sleep (waking up during the night)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
- Delayed sleep-phase disorder
- Higher rates of nightmares
- More likely than average to experience parasomnias like sleepwalking
Treatments for these ADHD-related sleep issues include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management. Contact Dr. Bharagava’s office to see if these treatments may help you or your child’s ADHD symptoms.
Source: “ADHD and Sleep” by Tuck.com
Gabby Lundy, Exult Healthcare
What Treatments Do Psychiatrists Use?
Treatment Types:
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Psychotherapy
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Medications
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Psychosocial Interventions
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TMS
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Other Physical Treatments (Less Common):
- ETC, DBS, & VNS
Psychotherapy is often the first step with patients. From there, a psych eval will be done and it will be determined if the patient would benefit from a medication plan.
Class of Medications:
- Antidepressants – used to treat depression, panic disorder, PTSD, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder and eating disorders
- Antipsychotic medications – used to treat psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
- Sedatives and anxiolytics – used to treat anxiety and insomnia
- Hypnotics – used to induce and maintain sleep
- Mood stabilizers – used to treat bipolar disorder
- Stimulants – used to treat ADHD
These medications can “help correct imbalances in brain chemistry that are thought to be involved in some mental disorders.” Psychiatrists are one of the few mental health providers that can prescribe medication and are usually a necessary piece of long-term medication management for mental health issues.
Source: “What is Psychiatry?” American Psychiatric Association
Gabby Lundy, Exult Healthcare