Sleep and Childhood ADHD
Study author Reut Gruber, PhD, of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, found that while the two groups of children had no real differences on many aspects of sleep, they differed significantly in terms of the times they fell asleep on each of the five nights.
For example, while a typical boy with no ADHD consistently fell asleep each night between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., the typical ADHD boy fell asleep at 10 p.m. one night, 9 p.m. the next night, 11 p.m. the following night, midnight the next night, and 10 p.m. the following night.
Gruber and colleagues say the study suggests that sleep problems contribute to, or worsen the difficulties of, children with ADHD.
Chervin says there is ample evidence that treating sleep disorders in children can result in improvements in behavior. Studies have shown that sleep affects the parts of the brain that control thinking, decision-making, and impulsivity, which are thought to be disturbed in ADHD. Therefore, he says it is not unreasonable to think that disruption in sleep would lead to ADHD-like behavior or worsening of such behavior.
Gruber and colleagues say doctors should ask questions about sleep patterns when evaluating and treating a child for ADHD. And you should report any of your child's sleep problems to your physician.
Childhood Hyperactivity Linked to Problems With Sleep
Childhood Hyperactivity Linked to Problems With Sleep continued...
Study author Reut Gruber, PhD, of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, found that while the two groups of children had no real differences on many aspects of sleep, they differed significantly in terms of the times they fell asleep on each of the five nights.
For example, while a typical boy with no ADHD consistently fell asleep each night between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., the typical ADHD boy fell asleep at 10 p.m. one night, 9 p.m. the next night, 11 p.m. the following night, midnight the next night, and 10 p.m. the following night.
Gruber and colleagues say the study suggests that sleep problems contribute to, or worsen the difficulties of, children with ADHD.
Chervin says there is ample evidence that treating sleep disorders in children can result in improvements in behavior. Studies have shown that sleep affects the parts of the brain that control thinking, decision-making, and impulsivity, which are thought to be disturbed in ADHD. Therefore, he says it is not unreasonable to think that disruption in sleep would lead to ADHD-like behavior or worsening of such behavior.
Gruber and colleagues say doctors should ask questions about sleep patterns when evaluating and treating a child for ADHD. And you should report any of your child's sleep problems to your physician.
Vital Information:
- New research shows that children with ADHD also have problems going to bed and difficulty sleeping.
- Children with ADHD are typically inattentive, easily distracted, impulsive, reckless, and hyperactive.
- It is important to treat any sleeping problems among children with ADHD, because this can contribute to their condition.