![]() There is still a lot of research that needs to be done in order to fully understand the connection between sleep disorders and ADHD, but there are many proven treatment options for both conditions - and treating one condition may help reduce symptoms of the other. Viable Treatment Options for Adults & Children If you answer yes to one or more questions, your child may have insomnia, not ADHD. Does my child suffer from an eating disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or autism?.Does my child suffer from allergies, sinusitis, asthma, or skin rashes?.A 2013 study focused on this phenomenon and created a checklist to help parents determine if their child is suffering from insomnia or ADHD. Insomnia in children may present as ADHD.Additionally, hyperactivity can sometimes manifest as fidgeting that is mistaken for RLS. ![]() As the child gets older, the condition can worsen. Children with ADHD also commonly suffer from RLS.While adults may feel fatigued from sleep deprivation, it’s not uncommon for sleep-deprived children to become hyperactive - another reason a child can be misdiagnosed with ADHD instead of sleep apnea. ![]() Research suggests that sleep apnea can contribute to the development and exacerbation of ADHD-like symptoms, such as behavioral problems and learning difficulties.Sleep-disordered breathing impacts nearly 15% of children nationwide.Like adults, the top three sleep disorders found in children with ADHD are sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia. Sleep problems are also common in children with ADHD, with 25 to 50% of children with ADHD experiencing sleep issues. To the outside observer, this can easily look like ADHD. As a result, from the moment they wake up, their brain is exhausted, making them scattered and unfocused. On the other hand, someone with untreated sleep apnea is unable to get needed restorative rest that allows their brain to process and organize information gathered during the day. As a result, they may be diagnosed as having insomnia or sleep apnea. Because of the strong connection between ADHD and sleep issues, it’s not uncommon for ADHD to be misdiagnosed as a sleep disorder, or vice versa.įor example, a person with ADHD might have difficulty “shutting their brain off” at the end of the day, causing them to miss out on hours of sleep. ![]() Additionally, ADHD-like symptoms are also found in 33% of people with narcolepsy. The five sleep disorders found most often in people with ADHD, no matter their age, are insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea. How does this even work? Shouldn’t sleep issues cause someone to be tired and lethargic? As always, the science behind the brain isn’t so simple, but understanding this connection may be essential for countless people affected by ADHD. Despite the seemingly excess energy that ADHD sufferers have, it may be surprising that 25-50% of people with the condition also struggle with sleep problems. When untreated, ADHD can negatively affect the sufferer’s life and the lives of loved ones. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
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