Studies have found that the incidence of sleep problems in children with ADHD is higher, and 70%~85% of children have sleep problems of varying degrees. Nighttime excitement, insomnia, and poor sleep are common phenomena in people with ADHD.
Why does ADHD accompany sleep problems?
A research team has carried out imaging studies of brain structure and found several key brain regions that are jointly related to ADHD symptoms and sleep problems, from which brain imaging evidence has been found that early ADHD symptoms cause later sleep problems.
In this study, which is a comorbid phenomenon that often occurs in ADHD and sleep disorders, the longitudinal brain image follow-up cohort and causal analysis statistical model were used to find that hyperactivity symptoms significantly increased sleep problems in children.
Four common sleep disorders in children with ADHD
01 Circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD)
CRSD refers to the phenomenon in which the patient's sleep, work, and rest rhythms spontaneously violate normal rhythms, that is, the patient falls asleep easily during the day and has difficulty falling asleep at night during normal sleep.
02 Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
RLS is a sleep disorder and neurological disorder. Up to 44% of children with ADHD have RLS. The symptoms are mainly leg discomfort and usually occur after prolonged sitting or at night.
03 Periodic Limb Movement (PLMS)
As many as 26 percent of children with ADHD have PLMS, compared to only 1.2 percent of the general population. PLMS mainly appears with twitching of feet, legs, and even arms.
04 Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is an umbrella term that ranges from snoring to upper airway obstruction syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. About 50 children with ADHD have symptoms of SDB, and about a third of them have problems with snoring or sleep apnea.
Sleep disorders can make hyperactivity symptoms worse, and improving sleep plays an important role in alleviating symptoms.
How can I improve my child's sleep problems?
Sleep habits and behavioral interventions
Develop and strictly implement a schedule for falling asleep and getting up, and develop regular sleep habits; Reduce environmental stimuli before falling asleep (such as watching TV, playing games, etc.) and replace them with visual image exercises or deep breathing and other relaxation exercises to create a good sleep environment.
More light, more movement
Morning light therapy can improve the symptoms of ADHD and effectively regulate circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Proper exposure to sunlight during the day can help children with ADHD "reset" their biological clocks. In addition, regular physical activity can effectively reduce agitation and hyperactivity caused by ADHD, improve brain function, and improve sleep quality. It should be noted that strenuous exercise should be avoided within four hours before bedtime.
Avoid stimulants in your child's diet
While younger children are less likely to indulge in coffee, stimulants can still be found in many carbonated drinks and even chocolate that contain caffeine, and do not eat 2-3 hours before bedtime.