Sleep Disorders: The Link to ADHD

According to current research, 25 to 50 % of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD have clinically reported sleep problems. Half of parents with ADHD children report that these children have difficulty sleeping because of breathing difficulties or Restless Leg Syndrome. Studies also suggest that Restless Leg Syndrome and ADHD are genetically linked. Both are related to low levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine affects brain processes that regulate movement and emotional response.

How Can Sleep Disorders Be Related to Hyperactive Behavior?

According to a new research study published in the journal SLEEP, lead author and director of the Attention, Behavior and Sleep Lab at the Douglas Mental Health Institute, Reut Gruber Ph.D. claims the study reveals that children with ADHD have a shorter total sleep time than that of control groups.

Average sleep time in ADHD children is shorter by 33 minutes; REM sleep time is reduced by 16 minutes. While these numbers might not sound like much, their impact on behavior and cognitive functions cannot be overlooked.

How do Sleep Problems Compromise the ADHD Child?

For one thing, sleep deprivation leads to poor attention and behavior problems in the classroom. Chronic sleep loss can produce neurological impairment. A study done on rats shows that just 4 days exposure to REM sleep deprivation reduces cell function in the part of the brain related to long-term memory. Because sleep contributes to brain plasticity and neurogenesis (the ability of the brain to produce new cells), sleep loss produces the opposite effect--suppression of new and viable growth tissue in the brain.

The link between sleep loss and executive functioning is particularly significant because research has suggested that ADHD results from a delay in the maturation of the executive functions. These findings should alert parents to the importance of early detection and recognition of children's sleep patterns. Strong evidence shows that recognizing and addressing sleep disorders early may reduce the negative impact sleep loss has on the executive functions of the brain. In fact, several studies also show that treating sleep problems often leads to improvement in ADHD symptoms.

What Can Parents Do to Help Children Get Better Sleep?

1.Help the child develop a consistent sleep ritual--same time, same bed, same routines.
2.Reduce stress in the child's life. Be approachable and available.
3.Ensure that the child gets daily exercise, especially aerobic exercise that provides a release for stress. Make sure that this exercise does not take place late in the day because physical workouts can sometimes lead to sleeplessness.
4.Provide the child with a healthy diet that includes several servings of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and essential fats. Eliminate sodas and any beverage that contains caffeine and sugar.
5.Should sleep disorders persist, get professional help.