7 Effective Tips To Make The Best Use Of Your ADHD Sleep Medication
ADHD and Sleep Medication
People suffering from ADHD have difficulty sleeping. When they finally get to sleep they are often agitated and often awake during the night.
Actigraphy and polysomnography, both of which are measures that are objective, show that children with ADHD sleep later and have lower levels of sleep efficiency than their counterparts with normal ADHD. However the objective measures of sleep improve with methylphenidate (MPH) treatment.
1. Restlessness medication to calm nerves
ADHD can make it hard to rest well. Many people who suffer from ADHD suffer from sleepless nights trying to get rid of the state of arousal that keeps them awake even when they're sleeping. This can lead to poor quality of sleep and an inability to wake up fully, making it harder to concentrate and resulting in worse days. Combining ADHD with sleep problems can increase the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
ADHD medications can cause insomnia, but they can also help improve it. Symptoms of depression or anxiety may contribute to difficulty getting or sleeping, as do certain medications used to treat pain. People suffering from depression and ADHD may have more difficulty sleeping when they are taking antidepressants, including Nefazodone (Anxil) and mirtazapine (Remeron) or trazodone (Desyrel).
Most people with ADHD suffer from a variety of sleep problems that include difficulty getting to sleep, difficulty staying asleep and waking up in the middle of the night. These symptoms can be triggered by a variety of factors like the use of medication, alcohol, or caffeine. Sleep deprivation can lead to a poorer quality of life as well as an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and other health issues.
Medications used to treat the hyperactivity aspect of ADHD can also cause sleep problems, particularly for children. The sedative effect of these medications can improve sleep in children with ADHD children. Clonidine at low doses- 0.05-0.1 mg -- can have sedative effects on adults. It is recommended to take it in the evening one hour before going to sleep.
Certain ADHD patients are prescribed the drug lisdexamfetamine (LDX) which is a long-acting oral stimulation, to treat insomnia. Both are effective for up to 12 hours durations and are recommended to this patient population in doses of 1 to 4 mg daily. It is important to sub-type insomnia and assess sleep structure by using objective measures (polysomnography and actigraphy) and also self-rated or parental-rated questionnaires and diary entries.
2. Sleeping pills to aid you in falling asleep
People with ADHD frequently have difficulty falling asleep at night. They can lay in the bed, toss and turn or wake up with every sound or interruption. This can result in sleep deprivation, which can increase ADHD symptoms and reduces mood. Studies have shown that 10 to 15% of children who suffer from ADHD struggle to fall asleep before puberty. There are treatments that can help adults sleep better.
A variety of stimulant medications prescribed to treat ADHD can also help with sleep problems. In one study, children with sleep issues prior to ADHD had better sleep after taking methylphenidate. It's important to discuss your sleep problems with your doctor prior to attempting a medication for insomnia, though. It's possible that you have a co-occurring illness such as sleep apnea or depression or anxiety, which could cause the same symptoms as ADHD.
You can also practice good sleep hygiene, in addition to the medical exam. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Regularly exercise. Try meditation or mindfulness techniques. Progressive muscle relaxation (in which you tighten and release muscles one by one) and deep breathing exercises have been shown to help with sleep problems.
For patients who are adults and suffer from insomnia who are unable to improve with self-care, a psychiatrist may prescribe an antidepressant such as trazadone or a benzodiazepine like temazepam. These antidepressants have been shown to treat insomnia and they are less prone to interaction with other sleep medications than stimulant drugs.
A melatonin-agonist like ramelteon can help you fall asleep. It is effective in treating primary insomnia and sleep disorders that are comorbid for adults suffering from ADHD. This drug is highly effective for adults suffering from ADHD who suffer from refractory insomnia issues and who do not respond well to other treatments such as behavioral therapy, antidepressants or antidepressants.
This treatment is also safe during pregnancy. If your psychiatrist recommends this treatment for you, they will monitor your blood levels to make sure that there aren't any side negative effects. If they are then your doctor will reduce the dosage to a level that is safe to be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3. You can use medications to assist you in waking up
When people suffering from ADHD awaken their minds racing, they usually make it difficult to get back to sleep. If adhd medication pregnancy to go back to sleep, the lack of a restful night's sleep can cause them to feel tired and unfocused throughout the day. adhd sleep medication could also affect their ability to learn to pay attention, concentrate and focus.
The positive side is that many stimulant medications prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADHD can aid people suffering from sleep issues, too. In fact, one study showed that people with ADHD who had a history of sleep disorders also experienced fewer sleep disturbances after starting on a low dose of methylphenidate.
Several types of stimulants are used to treat ADHD that include both extended-release and fast-acting medications. Usually, these medications are taken in the morning and last for six to eight hours. They can lessen the "ups and downs" that people encounter throughout the day. This can improve their school and work performance and avoid them from having to take additional medication later during the day or at night.
Many people who suffer from ADHD also use melatonin in order to aid in sleeping at night. Research has shown that melatonin may help people sleep better however, it's important to remember to take it at the proper time -- usually an hour prior to the time of bed. Otherwise, it's not likely to work.
Another option is benzodiazepines. These powerful depressants can aid those suffering from ADHD to sleep and remain asleep. This kind of medication is addictive and should only be used when needed.
There is the need for more research on how to best address sleep problems in people suffering from ADHD. It is imperative to conduct large-scale cohort studies to determine the incidence of sleep disorders and prescribed medications among people suffering from ADHD, both during childhood and adulthood. It is important to distinguish between the presence or absence of ADHD-related symptoms of sleep and the diagnosis of an individual sleeping disorder.
Alcohol can be used to self-medicate problems with sleep in those who do not have ADHD. Alcohol can make it even harder to sleep, as it acts as an antidepressant.
4. Medical Treatments to Keep You Alert
A variety of stimulant medications used to treat ADHD also improve alertness. This is due to the way these drugs alter the chemical balance in your brain.
This does not mean that those with ADHD do not suffer from sleep issues. In fact, a lot of people who suffer from ADHD say they have trouble with sleep. In my own practice I've observed that more than 80 percent of adults report sleep disturbances. They'll spend all night bouncing around in their heads and their bodies tumbling around, and sometimes waking several times before falling asleep. Upon awakening, they feel exhausted and depleted from this insomnia.
In certain cases sleep disorders can be directly related to the nocturnal and hyperactivity that is that are associated with ADHD. In other instances, sleep disorders are triggered by a lack of sleep and the inability to control the arousal associated with daily functioning. It has been proven that treating sleep disorders can help improve both ADHD and insomnia symptoms.
Certain stimulant medications can interfere with sleep for people who suffer from ADHD. However they can also aid in the treatment of insomnia and other sleep issues by reducing symptoms that interfere with falling asleep (Spruyt & Gozal 2011). In addition certain long-acting ADHD medication have a short duration of effect which can lead to an increase of hyperactivity and behavioral issues at night, as drug concentrations decrease (Cortese, et al. 2013a, b; Lecendreux and Cortese 2007).
Ask your doctor if a study of your sleep can be done to identify other issues that cause your difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Then, your doctor can prescribe a medication to treat both sleep disorders and the ADHD.
In the meantime, you can try to lower the dose of your stimulant medication before going to bed by taking it in the morning instead of the afternoon or using a lower dosage or different stimulants. This will help you stay alert throughout the day, and help you fall asleep at time of night. Be sure to take your medication as prescribed so that you don't suffer any adverse side effects.