ADHD does affect sleep

For some time, I have had issues with sleep. Sometimes, I have a difficult time falling asleep. Mostly, I’ll wake up often and have a difficult time falling asleep. For a long time I figured it was just me and my life that made it difficult for me to sleep. At least, that’s what I thought.

However, as it turns out, I was wrong. It wasn’t just my life and me that was making it challenging, when it comes to sleep. I learned that ADHD/ADD does affect our sleep. Individuals may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up. It is something that can start as early as when the individual with ADHD is 12 years old. Although it may not start until later. In my case, it’s only really as an adult that I began really having trouble with sleep.

One thing to remember though is that these problems with sleep aren’t necessarily a symptom or a part of ADHD/ADD. Yes, people with ADHD/ADD have problems with sleep, but it isn’t requirement.

Now, I know how hard it can be to get sleep. We all need sleep. Plus, if we are able to get a good night sleep, this may help manage our ADHD/ADD. However, it may not always be easy. It can be a struggle. Been there.

That being said, it is still possible for us to get a good night sleep. Yes, it is possible. There are ways for us to be able to get the sleep that we need. So here are some suggestions for those who have ADHD/ADD and struggling with sleep. Whether you have ADHD/ADD or not, this still may be helpful if you struggle with a good night sleep. So here they are.

Have a set bedtime and bedtime routine. I do have a bit of one. I’m usually getting ready for bed around the same time as my kids. I’ll make sure they’re all settled, and I’ll be upstairs, reading in bed, while making sure the kids are staying in bed as well. Once they’re asleep, I might stay up for a few minutes, but not much longer. I don’t stay up much later than they do.

Another suggestion given is not to take a nap. I rarely take naps. I may take one if I’m not feeling well, or if I may really, really need it. Usually, I just try to last until bedtime. It makes it easier to fall asleep at bedtime.

Here’s another one. It is suggested to not take caffeine late at night. I don’t drink caffeine past a certain time. It does make a difference. I will also sometimes have a glass of milk before bed, which will also help. At least, it does for me.

There are probably other suggestions, but these are some. And not every suggestion will work for everyone. So we all need to find ways that work for us.

Even you do try these suggestions, and/or have a routine and ways to help with sleep, you may still wake up sometimes. I know I sure do. But I do have some ways that help me at least have a better night sleep. It may not always be the best, but I do still feel rested when I wake up, for the most part. And that’s at least a good start.

So, hopefully, at the end of the day, you do manage to find ways to have good sleep and feel rested in the mornings.

If you are interested in reading more on the subject, here are some more articles for you.

www.additudemag.com/adhd-sleep-disturbances-symptoms

www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/adhd-and-sleep

chadd.org/about-adhd/adhd-sleep-and-sleep-disorders/

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