ADHD And Sleep Problems In Children

ADHD And Sleep Problems In Children

Not every child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has sleep issues, but many do. Studies have shown that children with ADHD can have difficulty sleeping and getting up, experience nightmares and daytime sleepiness, and wake up feeling tired.

But instead of jumping to conclusions, parents should consider the possibility that another underlying condition causes these sleeping issues. Here are three that may be the culprits.

Snoring and ADHD

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can cause snoring and, thus, poor sleep. In addition, such enlargement can result in partial blockage of the airways at night.  

Due to poor sleep the night before, your child can experience attention problems in the morning, perhaps for the rest of the day. Studies have shown that children with snoring issues tend to have lower scores on tests for overall intelligence, language abilities, and attention.  

Ask your child’s pediatrician about effective treatments for snoring. If your child snores too much, you may consider removing the tonsils and adenoids. While it isn’t the first line of defense, studies show it can result in better sleep sans medication.  

Sleep Apnea and ADHD

Again, large tonsils and adenoids can cause sleep apnea in children. But other causes, such as chronic allergies and obesity, deserve consideration.

Sleep apnea is characterized by brief episodes when the affected person doesn’t breathe. But the person doesn’t know it, while the one who sees it can be scared out of her wits. Moreover, these brief episodes don’t just happen once at night but frequently throughout, making the condition even scarier for parents.

Children with ADHD and sleep apnea report are feeling fatigued during the day, even when they feel like they have slept well. In addition, you, the parent, may observe that your child has difficulty concentrating and be more irritable.

The good news is: Your child’s pediatrician can recommend a CPAP or surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids. The treatment will enable the pediatrician to cure your children’s Sleep apnea!

Restless Legs Syndrome and ADHD

Studies show a link between ADHD and restless legs syndrome, a condition characterized by a creeping or crawling sensation in the legs or the arms. With such a sensation, an affected person has the irresistible urge to move, resulting in sleep interruptions and daytime sleepiness.  

So in a child with ADHD, the combination of restless legs syndrome can contribute to decreased attention span and increased activity (i.e., hyperactivity).

In each of these causes of poor sleep in children with ADHD, there are available medications like Wellbutrin. But don’t administer them to your child without your doctor’s prescription, as their side effects can outweigh their benefits when misused.