The Overlooked Connection Between ADHD and Sleep
- ADHD can make it hard to wind down and fall asleep. People with ADHD often have racing minds and difficulty controlling their impulses, which can make it difficult to relax and drift off to sleep.
- Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD can interfere with sleep. Stimulants can make it harder to fall asleep and can cause sleep disruptions during the night.
- ADHD is often associated with other conditions that can disrupt sleep, such as anxiety, depression, and restless legs syndrome.
- People with ADHD may have a delayed sleep-wake cycle, meaning that they naturally fall asleep and wake up later than other people. This can make it difficult to get enough sleep, especially if they have to wake up early for work or school.
- Sleep deprivation can worsen ADHD symptoms. When people with ADHD don’t get enough sleep, they are more likely to have difficulty paying attention, controlling their impulses, and managing their emotions.