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Ask the ADD Medical Expert:
Larry Silver, M.D.
Sleep and ADHD
Q:
"I'm 14 years old and have trouble sleeping at night. It's starting to interfere with my performance in school. Is this caused by my ADHD?"
A:
Some children and teens with ADHD have difficulty going to sleep at night because they "can't turn their head off." They are fidgety and active in bed. They hear every sound in the house and can't ignore these sounds. For these people, using a medication like Ritalin, Dexedrine, or Adderall at night might be a great help in getting to sleep. (Yes, everyone thinks these medications cause sleep problems. However, when ADHD prevents you from going to sleep, being on these medications counteracts those symptoms.)
If this is not the answer, ask your parents to discuss your problem with your family doctor or a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
11 Comments:
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Posted by
bcurtisme
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Mar 10 2008 @ 2:42 PM
Sleep problems
Try breaking down daily dose into 2 doses. Ex: instead of 40 mg daily, do 30 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. Also, my son (19 yrs) was prescribed Periactin to take at night. It helps him to sleep and increases his appetite a little since he is underweight and the Adderall decreases appetite. Good Luck
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Posted by
paula
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Mar 10 2008 @ 12:32 PM
sleep and melatonin
I had the pharmacist check - they do not encourage melatonin with the use of stimulants - but thought that Valerian Root would be fine - my son is 9
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Posted by
jc
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Mar 5 2008 @ 10:16 PM
sleep and adhd
i am a 41 year old
teacher...wife and
mother of 4 ... i have
major sleep issues
the doctor had to
give me and rx
for klonopin
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Posted by
tjones
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Mar 5 2008 @ 9:17 PM
Sleep difficulty
Our youngest (5 years old)was seen by a Behavioral Pediatrician about a year ago. Prior to that visit it was taking him almost 2 hours each night to fall asleep. The Dr. recommended Melatonin, and it has been amazing. I give it 30 minutes before bed, and by bed time he's yawning and saying he's sleepy. He now falls asleep within minutes. I have heard of people using stimulants before bed, and understand that works also. I just haven't wanted to give a 5 year old more stimulant doses at this point.
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Posted by
mary
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Mar 5 2008 @ 8:00 PM
What about Straterra?
I tried Ritalin, and Dexedrine both of which had me experiencing bad side effects so my doctor switched me on to Straterra. Straterra seems to be working well for me. I can focus better during the day and not feel like I am on a roller coaster ride of emotions. It is the only non-stimulant medication for people with AD/HD that I know of. Often timesI have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep at night. If I took Straterra at night would it help me sleep better? Or would it make it worse?
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Posted by
flyrojack
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Mar 5 2008 @ 7:30 PM
trouble sleeping at night
If you are looking for a more natural alternative try meletonin (sp?). You can find it with the vitamins. It is the only thing the FAA lets pilots take to re-set after trans-ocean flights. I get children's dose (cherry melts) from GNC. I have taken it myself both when working shift work & as pre-medipause hits.
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Posted by
supertodd
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Mar 5 2008 @ 7:16 PM
sleep and adhd
i thought i would never here this advise.i have known for some time it is only logical to use your stimulant drugs at nite, after all, dont they put the brakes on your brain? i realize some consciousness is needed about dosage and timing. i take half a dose a couple hours before bed, and, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Posted by
Pamela Ambrose
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Mar 5 2008 @ 5:17 PM
Sleep & ADHD
What is 5-htp?
Where do you get it?
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Posted by
HawaiiBrooke
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Mar 5 2008 @ 5:06 PM
Sleep & ADHD
my son has had a very hard time sleeping since he was young, he's 12 now, we found that 5-htp helped him a lot. it just slows him down and allows him to relax. It is not a medication, it is a natural form of tryptophan and I've even taken it when I've had a hard time.
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Posted by
Michele Sundstrom
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Mar 5 2008 @ 3:48 PM
Sleep & ADHD
My 11 year old had SEVERE difficulties with sleep. Believe it or not, an evening dose of a stimulant DOES work (I guess it helps them order their thoughts), however I understand your hesitation to use more. Our doctor prescribed Trazadone (it lowers blood pressure). It has very few side effects & is NOT addictive. It worked very well. Also, we googled "guided imagery/meditation" and downloaded a few free files for his MP3 player. He listens to these at night and they REALLY help. Tip: he discovered that the files with music that continues on after the dialogue is completed left his mind to start wandering again.
Good luck!
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Posted by
Lori Moldenhauer
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Mar 5 2008 @ 1:43 PM
Sleep and ADHD
I would have liked to see other information besides medication. Our doctor prescribed sleeping pills and then she has become dependent on them. I am looking for other relaxation techniques/nonmedicine ideas. Thank you.
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