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How Sleep Medication Can Help People With ADHD Many people suffering from ADHD have racing thoughts and nighttime energy spikes that make it difficult to sleep. If they do get to sleep it's usually tense and unrefreshing. Most people aren't aware that the same stimulant medication they use to treat their ADHD symptoms can also help them sleep at night. natural adhd medication and restless sleep are common among adults with ADHD. Certain stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can cause sleep problems for a few people. Medical professionals suggest that patients discuss their concerns with their physician prior to taking any new sleeping medications. Most people will find that the best approach to control their sleep is to use the correct medication and maintain good routines for sleeping. Sleepiness is not mentioned as a typical side effect in most scientific literature about the effects of ADHD medication on sleep. However, it is common that people suffering from ADHD have trouble falling asleep or staying awake throughout the night. Many people with ADHD have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, even though they are not taking stimulant medication. About two-thirds (or more) of my patients who have difficulty sleeping do so by taking their ADHD medication before the time they go to bed. The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. It is also called ADD or MPH. MPH oral has been proven to reduce the time it takes for people to fall asleep, and also increase the length of their sleep (Radcliffe et al., 2008). The efficacy of oral MPH in promoting sleep is greater than that of the transdermal delivery system OROS, also known as OROS formulation. RLS, or restless leg syndrome (RLS), can cause difficulties falling asleep in people with ADHD. RLS can make it hard for some people to fall asleep and could result in less quality sleep. MPH helps reduce the frequency of insomnia in children suffering from ADHD. This is accomplished by decreasing the time spent awake and increasing the amount of slow wave sleep and reducing rapid eye movement sleep. It has also been shown to decrease sleep disturbances caused by comorbid disorders such as obstructive sleeping apnea or oppositional defiant syndrome in children who suffer from ADHD. Clonidine is a central nervous depressant, which is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It can aid people with ADHD sleep by causing sedation lasting 4 hours. Some practitioners recommend antidepressants such as trazodone, (Desyrel) or mirtazapine, (Remeron) both of which have moderate effects on sedation. Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy can improve sleep in those with ADHD. This type of therapy focuses on teaching children and teens new techniques to help them develop better sleeping habits. Behavioral therapy is often paired with other treatments for ADHD including parent training and classroom interventions. This kind of therapy teaches children and adolescents to use positive behavior reinforcement instead of punishment. It also helps teach youngsters how to relax and take a more active part in their sleep routine. A variety of studies show that the majority of children with ADHD suffer from sleep issues that are often related to daytime impairments. Many of these children have chronically poor sleep, which contributes to the accumulation of a “sleep debt,” resulting in a more difficult time waking up the next day and a decrease in concentration throughout the daytime. Insufficient sleep causes the development of a sleep disorder dubbed Narcolepsy. It is linked to a decrease in vigilance and concentration as well as poor academic performance. Adults suffering from ADHD can also have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This can have a huge impact on their ability to function during the day. Additionally, many adults feel more restless and unable to shut their minds and bodies down at night like people without ADHD do. Sometimes, their agitated minds make them wake up during the night. The relationship between ADHD and sleep is complex and both disorders can affect one another in different ways. Many research studies report that ADHD is a risk factor for sleep disorders and in certain instances the two disorders might even be similar to each other (Cortese et al. 2006a). Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) are also known to have been associated with the hyperactivity of ADHD. Although some studies suggest that ADHD medication may affect sleep, others contradict this finding. Many factors can influence medication effects on sleep, including the age of the patient at the time of starting pharmacotherapy, duration of exposure to drugs and the dosage of the stimulant. Supplements People with ADHD are frequently plagued by sleep issues such as insomnia and difficulty falling to sleep. This makes it difficult for them to achieve a restful sleep, which can affect their ability to focus throughout the daytime. These sleep issues can interfere with school and work performance. Some people with ADHD also have sleep disorders like snoring, or obstructive sleeping apnea. These can be treated by taking medication and making lifestyle adjustments. Exercise and diet can be beneficial, particularly when it involves increasing your protein intake, because it helps you sleep more soundly. A peaceful bedtime routine could be helpful. It is important to stay away from caffeine, which is a stimulant and can cause headaches and trouble sleeping. Melatonin may help with sleep problems caused by methylphenidate. It is a popular stimulant used to treat ADHD, both in children as well as adults. Numerous studies have demonstrated that melatonin can help with drowsiness and sleeping difficulties for people who take methylphenidate, but it doesn't seem to reduce the core ADHD symptoms. Melatonin has also proven to be effective in helping with sleeping in people who do not take methylphenidate. In certain studies, omega-3 fatty acids were shown to reduce ADHD symptoms. However further research is needed. Fish as well as walnuts and salmon are good sources of omega-3s. Vitamin C is another supplement that some people with ADHD utilize however, it is not recommended to take it less than an hour before or after taking ADHD medications. It stops the meds from getting into the bloodstream. There is limited evidence that other supplements in the diet, such as iron and zinc, can reduce ADHD symptoms. However, a standardized extract of pine bark called Pycnogenol has been reported to reduce ADHD symptoms in certain people, however, more research is needed. Psychoeducation is a treatment for psychological issues that is designed to educate children, teens and adults about ADHD and its consequences. It can assist people who suffer from ADHD improve their confidence and manage their symptoms. Psychoeducation can also include behavioural treatment, which helps people control their behavior in social situations. These therapies can be offered either in a group or on their own. Psychoeducation can involve therapy for families and support groups to help families deal with stress brought on by ADHD. Other Options Many people with ADHD are most at their best when they sleep, especially in a quiet home. However racing thoughts and issues getting to sleep can make it difficult to get a restful night's sleep. A lack of sleep can affect your working memory making it difficult to focus. Studies have shown that stimulants can improve sleep for children and adults with ADHD, but they come with the danger of abuse and rebound symptoms. So, many doctors prefer to use nonstimulants, especially long-acting medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Both methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. They do this through different mechanisms. Nonstimulants might take longer to work however, they typically have less adverse negative effects. Some doctors recommend melatonin as a light therapy for patients suffering from ADHD who have sleep problems. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm and promotes sleep. It can be particularly beneficial in those with delayed sleep phase syndrome which is a sleep disorder that causes a delay of two hours or more between your normal bedtime and when you actually fall asleep. Light therapy is a non-pharmacological solution to sleep disturbances that involves exposure to bright light during the day to synchronize the body's internal clock to promote a more peaceful sleep at night. It's not widely accessible and doctors are not recommending it, but it has proved to be beneficial for people with ADHD. Other treatments include psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which is a type of talk therapy that can help your child or yourself how to change certain thinking patterns and behaviors. These patterns can be changed to reduce problems with self-control, attention and working memory. It is important to talk with your healthcare professional regarding the best treatment plan for you or your child. A personalized treatment plan is the most effective. Each situation is different. Both ADHD and sleep disorders can be treated through good sleep hygiene and medications, but you'll need to discuss your specific situation.