Can Sleep Disorders and ADHD be connected?
Do you have persistent sleep issues? Not just with falling asleep, but staying asleep or waking up feeling tired? Having a sleep disorder can be more than a rough night's sleep. The lack of sleep can impact your daily life, work habits and relationships. These conditions are so common among people who have ADHD that experts often check on sleep problems when they’re diagnosing ADHD.
First, it is important you share with your physician or mental health provider the issues you are having. Keeping a notepad by your bed and jotting down issues like falling asleep, waking up and not falling back to sleep easily, changes in sleep patterns or even not getting the recommended amount of sleep for your age group. Your physician or mental health provider can help you find out what could be responsible; the medication, the dosage or if anxiety or depression could be causing your lack of sleep.
Establishing a sleep routine or sleep habits is another important step. For those with ADHD, routines can be incredibly helpful at home, work, or school and in getting a good night’s sleep!
We’ve got a few simple but helpful sleep habits to get you to calm down for the night, stay asleep longer, and wake up refreshed.
— Get some exercise! A short walk or daily exercise regimen can be beneficial in getting a good night’s rest.
— Make it a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Don’t deviate too much from your weekday and weekend sleeping hours.
— Turn off your devices! Whether it’s your phone, tv, laptop, or tablet- Studies indicate that screen time before bed can increase the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, reduce sleep quality, and affect attentiveness the following day.
— Create a sleep haven! Keep your room climate-controlled; cool, and cozy creating a space that makes you more inclined to stay in bed. Using room-darkening curtains or an eye mask will help keep your room dark and ensure a key place for rest. A noise machine or soft music can help drown outside noises that you cannot control.
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what habits you have that help you get a good night’s rest? Comment below.
Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adult-adhd-and-sleep-problems
https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-sleep-disturbances-symptoms/
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html
https://www.sleep.org/how-sleep-works/ways-technology-affects-sleep/