Almost everyone has gone through a sleepless night, tossing and turning on their bed, cursing the sandman for stealing their sleep. But while this might be a passing inconvenience for some, others are all too familiar with this nightly routine – more specifically, people who are neurodivergent.
ADHD is a condition that is often associated with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty focusing. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, ADHD and insomnia share a much deeper connection than you would think.
If you’ve ever wondered why your restless mind seems to have a brain of its own at bedtime, or if you suspect that your poor sleeping pattern is linked to ADHD, we’ve got your back. In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about ADHD and insomnia, so make sure to keep on reading.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that is commonly found in children. Oftentimes, if diagnosed early, it can last through one’s childhood all the way to adulthood, as it doesn’t really have a cure.
There is also a shared belief that people with ADHD are loud and extremely impulsive, but that is only in the case of hyperactive ADHD. Essentially, there are three different types of ADHD: hyperactive, inattentive, and combined.
While hyperactive ADHD is more on the energetic side, inattentive ADHD is far more toned down and revolves around the lack of time management and procrastination. In contrast, combined ADHD is a mixture of the two.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is categorized by the inability to sleep. That is to say, people with insomnia are likely to have trouble falling asleep at night, no matter how tired or exhausted they may be. It also affects their sleeping pattern, making it difficult for them to stay asleep or get any quality sleep overall.
Due to the lack of sleep, your personal life might start getting affected, too, causing you to feel drowsy throughout the day. Insomnia is also known to cause irritability and mood changes, which can be disastrous if not monitored.
Are ADHD and Insomnia Related?
Believe it or not, yes. ADHD and insomnia are very closely tied to each other, so much so that around 67% of people with ADHD have been said to experience difficulty when falling asleep.
These symptoms tend to begin right after, around when puberty hits, since your hormones are all over the place. Shorter sleep cycles, inability to remain asleep, and other such problems all give way to insomnia.
Not to mention, ADHD symptoms get worse when you are tired or exhausted. This puts your brain into overdrive, pushing away the need to sleep and leading to the repeat of the same events the next night and the next. That is why it is crucial to refer to a sleep therapist so you can get proper treatment, especially if you have a neurodevelopmental condition such as ADHD keeping you from reaching your full potential.
Long Story Short
All in all, ADHD and insomnia have a strong connection, where one leads to the other. Nevertheless, for more information on the matter, feel free to reach out to Sleep & Headache Solutions at 832-688-8886. You can also drop by our clinic at 13114 Farm to Market 1960 Rd West Suite 105 B, Houston, TX 77065, located inside the Memorial Hermann Medical Group Center.