A large study of adults with ADHD found that 60% reported some type of sleep disorder. Specifically, 36% reported difficulty falling asleep (delayed sleep onset), 31% reported insomnia, and 29% reported restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder. The document was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning or development. Symptoms of inattention typically include difficulty maintaining concentration, forgetfulness, and disorganization, while hyperactivity and impulsivity manifest as restlessness, excessive talking, or interrupting others. ADHD is most often diagnosed during childhood because symptoms tend to conflict with school rules and expectations. However, the disorder can persist into adulthood, impairing academic, social, and professional success.
Children and adults with ADHD often suffer from sleep problems and disturbances. Most research on this topic has focused on children, generally showing that both subjective and objective sleep disturbances are common in these individuals. These disorders include difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, and sleep-disordered breathing.
Study author Mirte van der Ham and colleagues sought to explore the prevalence of sleep problems among adults with ADHD in the Netherlands. They also sought to determine whether these problems were associated with other psychiatric disorders. Their hypothesis was that sleep problems are more common among adults with ADHD than in the general population, particularly among those with additional psychiatric disorders.
For their analysis, the researchers extracted data from the electronic records of patients attending 46 outpatient clinics at the mental health institute Parnassia Groep in the Netherlands between October 2018 and March 2020. Parnassia Groep is the largest healthcare institute mental health in the Netherlands. All patients were referred by a general practitioner or mental health professional for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and any psychiatric comorbidity, according to the country’s standard procedures.
In total, the analysis included data from 3,691 patients, 49% of whom were women, with a mean age of 35 years. The researchers used data from assessments of sleep problems (via the Holland Sleep Disorder Questionnaire) as well as various demographic and medical information. The assessment examined the most common sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep-wake rhythm disorders, hypersomnia, parasomnia, restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder, and breathing disorders. related to sleep.
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining restful sleep despite adequate opportunities. Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder involves disruptions in the sleep rhythm due to a misalignment between an individual’s internal clock and the external environment. Hypersomnia refers to excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep that interferes with daily functioning.
Parasomnias are abnormal behaviors or experiences, such as sleepwalking or night terrors, that occur during sleep or transitions between sleep stages. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder involve uncomfortable sensations in the legs or repetitive movements of the limbs during rest or sleep, disrupting sleep quality. Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, are characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep and health complications.
The results showed that 60% of patients suffered from at least one sleep disorder, while 36% reported having two or more. Nearly half of the participants had other psychiatric diagnoses in addition to ADHD. Of the participants, 36% reported difficulty falling asleep, 31% reported insomnia, and 29% reported restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder.
Women reported sleep problems slightly more often than men (62% versus 58%). Insomnia, hypersomnia and parasomnia were somewhat more common in women, while sleep-related breathing disorders were more common in men.
“Adults with ADHD often report sleep problems, associated with specific psychiatric comorbidities. Systematic screening for sleep disorders in adult patients with ADHD may contribute to a better understanding of their complaints and may contribute to improved and integrated treatment of sleep and psychiatric problems,” the study authors concluded.
This study contributes to the scientific understanding of ADHD and its consequences. It should be noted, however, that the research was only conducted on registered ADHD patients in the Netherlands. Studies on different populations may yield varying results.
The article entitled “Sleep problems in adults with ADHD: prevalences and their relationship with psychiatric comorbidity” was written by Mirte van der Ham, Denise Bijlenga, Mylène Böhmer, Aartjan TF Beekman and Sandra Kooij.
