Does ADHD Cause Sleep Problems?

17 Comments:

• Posted by mac4 - Apr 17 2009 @ 8:46 PM
  Sleep disorder and ADHD
  I recently took my son (14) to a neurologist because his restless nights are keeping his brother up at night. His brother says he moves to much and it annoys him. Well neurologist is sending us for a sleep study. Met with the sleep study doctor and he assured me that the EEG did not show seizures but there was activity during sleep. It could be what they call Periodic Limb Movements. I looked it up and when children have this they will display ADHD symptoms, OCD, Oppositional defiant and many other mental disorders can be a result of this. I was surprised and I'm waiting anxiously for the sleep study. It's scheduled for May 17th. They sleep all night and they watch them during the day until 2 in the afternoon. Look it up and read about it. If your child is having sleep problems look into this!
• Posted by mac4 - Apr 15 2009 @ 12:30 AM
  not sleeping well
  I have put my son on magnesium 400mg and he no longer has sleepless nights. Natural supplements have made a huge difference and he is calmer to where he will sit and read now. I read Dr. Patrick Holford's book, "Optimum Nutrition for the young child's mind." It is the best thing I have ever read and it has changed my son for the better. 1,000mg of evening primrose oil is wonderful and all of the omegas, 3,6, and 9 are also helpful for an ADHD child. Read the book!
• Posted by docbets - Apr 14 2009 @ 7:01 PM
  One more thing about more
  It has always seemed to me odd to give a child a second medication when the first one will do the job. If AD/HD is the culprit in sleep problems, why not treat it for what it is? That is, Sleep Problem Associated with AD/HD, instead of Sleep Problem Standing Alone? I also preferred fewer types of medications; less complicated.
• Posted by docbets - Apr 14 2009 @ 6:57 PM
  Yes, yes and yes
  Thank you, Dr. Silver, for saying this. So many people think the sleep problems result from the medication, when for many, the sleep problems preceded the diagnosis and treatment. My daughter spent most of her middle childhood operating on fewer than six hours' sleep per night. She thought of taking another dose near to bedtime, given her experience of its usefulness in the daytime. The newest pearl in the string of many excellent ideas she has had about her own treatment, it worked. We informed her doctor and he agreed it was a good idea (but had not thought of it). When adult patients of mine complain about sleep and medications, I ask them to try one thing (I am not a physician). On a weekend, take medication as prescribed; then, go take a nap. If you can go to sleep in the afternoon, it is not the medication! It is rare to find a person with AD/HD who is not sleep deprived, so it is rare for someone to report not sleeping. Melatonin: when I weighed the potential danger of melatonin for a child, I compared it to the guaranteed danger of prolonged sleep deprivation. The answer was obvious, and it helps, still, after ten years of sleep problems.
• Posted by Mick - Apr 14 2009 @ 12:47 PM
  What about Straterra?
  I'm a 53 yr. old male on Strattera for several years. I've found exercise allows me to sleep. If I don't exercise for 2-3 days I don't sleep soundly. Aerobic exercise at least every other day (daily is best) and regular sleep habits allow sound sleep.
• Posted by momitude - Apr 14 2009 @ 9:00 AM
  Sleep difficulty
  My daughter, nine, has had trouble falling asleep since she was about two. I can understand the "more medication hesitation". We have tried Benedryl. But what has truly worked best is a scripted routine that happens at the same time every night. This is not an easy task but it does work. She has cards that help her to remember what to do next and then I monitor to keep her on track. Example: Bath-pjs-brush teeth - (medication for allergies)- relaxing music - sleep. Cards have pictures to help with her low visual memory.
• Posted by bcurtisme - 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
• Posted by paula - 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
• Posted by jc - 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
• Posted by tjones - 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.
• Posted by mary - 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?
• Posted by flyrojack - 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.
• Posted by supertodd - 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
• Posted by Pamela Ambrose - Mar 5 2008 @ 5:17 PM
  Sleep & ADHD
  What is 5-htp? Where do you get it?
• Posted by HawaiiBrooke - 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.
• Posted by Michele Sundstrom - 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!
• Posted by Lori Moldenhauer - 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.