Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a common health condition that involves problems with attention, hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports some 8 to 10 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with ADHD, which is more prevalent in childhood but can span into adulthood as well. Like a snowball effect, ADHD can be exacerbated by poor sleep health, though the reverse can be true as well. In fact, attending to sleep issues can sometimes eliminate ADHD symptoms altogether, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleep Deprivation
Many children have sleep issues, but children with ADHD get more than their fair share. Half of children diagnosed with ADHD are diagnosed with sleep disorders by the time they are 18, and children with ADHD have much higher rates of daytime sleepiness than children without ADHD. Unlike adults, children often become hyper-alert and energetic when sleep deprived. This is not always bad behavior, or necessarily ADHD, but simply the symptoms of sleep debt.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Affecting a full quarter of ADHD sufferers, restless legs syndrome is one of the most prevalent sleep disturbances in children with ADHD, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This condition is frustrating, characterized by a sudden need to move the limbs while falling asleep or relaxing. Symptoms also appear during extended periods of immobility, such as long car trips or sitting in the classroom.
Periodic Leg Movement Syndrome
Periodic leg movement syndrome is another sleep issue frequently found in conjunction with ADHD. Similar to restless legs syndrome, the extremities move involuntarily, but in this case the movements are repetitive and can last up to five seconds in duration.
The Brain Connection
According to a 2006 study published in "Medscape General Medicine," ADHD and the two leg movement syndromes--restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movement--are treatable through dopamine therapy. This suggests that a common physiological problem, possibly a dopamine deficiency, might be at the root of all three complexes.
Sleep Disordered Breathing
Because the symptoms of sleep deprivation can mimic those of ADHD and vice versa, it is important to try to isolate and attend to any sleep health issues that may be present. One sleep problem to watch for is obstructive sleep apnea. The telltale symptom here is loud and persistent snoring, sleep disruption and sleep deprivation symptoms. Recognizing sleep apnea and treating it directly can prevent unnecessary long-term drug treatment for ADHD, reports a 2007 study published in the journal "Sleep Medicine."
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: The Impact of Sleep Disorders in ADHD
- National Sleep Foundation: ADHD and Sleep
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet
- PubMed.gov: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- PubMed Central: Restless Legs Syndrome in Children
