Can Sleep Deprivation Be Mistaken for ADHD?

Research indicates that sleep disturbances frequently occur in individuals diagnosed with ADHD, leading to speculation that ADHD might actually be a sleep disorder. The Child Mind Institute points out that since many symptoms of sleep deprivation overlap with those of ADHD, there’s a possibility that some children might receive an inaccurate diagnosis. While this misdiagnosis is uncommon, it highlights the necessity for clinicians to consider sleep issues before settling on an ADHD diagnosis. Parents have observed instances where children’s ADHD symptoms either lessened or vanished entirely once their sleep problems were addressed.

I do not intend to dismiss ADHD, which is a brain-based condition with a significant genetic basis, as merely a sleep issue. However, I propose it is crucial to consider sleep difficulties when diagnosing and treating ADHD.

Are You Experiencing Sleep Deprivation?

A recent survey revealed that the average sleep duration for individuals in the UK is merely 5.91 hours per night, a decline from 6.11 hours in 2022 and 6.19 hours in 2021. Only 36% of respondents reported having ‘good’ sleep. Alarmingly, 40% of Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. I recall my father, who worked shifts, often struggled with severe sleep deprivation, which likely contributed to his heart attack at the age of 52. He could doze off mid-conversation while holding a cup of tea without spilling a drop.

Interestingly, you do not need to close your eyes to enter a state known as ‘local sleep,’ where parts of the brain are awake while others are not. You might appear alert, but part of your brain could be resting. Many may not recognize their sleep issues, particularly as those around them are also sleep-deprived, making this state seem normal. According to the National Sleep Foundation, our average sleep duration has decreased by 20% over the past century, equating to a loss of about 85 minutes of sleep each night.

If you struggle with sleep, you may have turned to various remedies like prescription sleep medications, over-the-counter options, or even alcohol. I remember purchasing an over-the-counter sleep aid that cheekily warned it “might cause drowsiness.” Unfortunately, it did little to aid my sleep.

Treating Sleep Issues Naturally

Should one rely on sleep aids for a restful night? Nearly 9 million Americans resort to prescription sleeping pills. Dr. Roxanne Pritchard, a professor specializing in psychology and neuroscience, emphasizes that chemically induced sleep differs significantly from natural sleep. Taking even a small dose of melatonin may disrupt your body’s melatonin receptors, complicating future sleep.

Recently, melatonin has been approved in the UK for treating children with insomnia and ADHD. But is this truly the best approach? Dr. Kooij is working to identify biomarkers—such as Vitamin D levels, blood glucose, and heart rate variability—to better understand the mind-body connection. If it turns out that sleep deprivation causes ADHD symptoms, it opens the door for potential non-pharmacological interventions, such as adjusting light exposure and sleep patterns to mitigate the adverse effects of chronic sleep loss on health.

Adjusting your relationship with artificial light and screen time is beneficial. The invention of the electric bulb, while essential, has negatively impacted our sleep. Instead of winding down at dusk, we tend to turn on lights and bright screens, disrupting our natural sleep patterns. Dimming lights in the evening can be advantageous, along with avoiding large meals right before bedtime. If you often eat late after work or social events, you may be setting yourself up for a restless night.

Interestingly, your brain may interpret sleep deprivation as starvation, intensifying food cravings. Parents of children diagnosed with ADHD often report that their kids feel hungry before bed, and without realizing it, they feed them, exacerbating sleep issues. Offering healthier alternatives, like bananas—which are rich in magnesium and potassium—can serve as an excellent bedtime snack. If your child resists, consider freezing bananas to create a fun banana ice cream treat.

Final Thoughts

The relationship between ADHD and sleep is a fascinating one. While ADHD contributes to sleep issues, it’s essential to ensure that sleep disturbances aren’t misidentified as ADHD symptoms. Ultimately, sleep serves as our body’s natural medicine.

Life is merely a distraction when sleep eludes you.

• Fran Lebowitz