ADD/ADHD Clinical Research
Evidence-based insights for optimal health
Understanding the Sleep-ADHD Connection
Growing clinical research reveals a significant connection between sleep disorders and ADD/ADHD symptoms. Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective treatment approaches that address root causes rather than just symptoms.
Important Finding: Many children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD may actually be experiencing symptoms caused by undiagnosed sleep-breathing disorders.
Key Research Studies
Evidence from peer-reviewed clinical research
Learning, attention/hyperactivity, and conduct problems as sequelae of excessive daytime sleepiness in a general population study of young children
Objective: Although excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common problem in children, with estimates of 15%; few studies have investigated the sequelae of EDS in young children. We investigated the association of EDS with objective neurocognitive measures and parent reported learning, attention/hyperactivity, and conduct problems in a large general population sample of children.
Sleep loss in early childhood may contribute to the development of ADHD symptoms
Summary: Less sleep in preschool-age children significantly predicted worse parent-reported hyperactivity and inattention at kindergarten. In contrast, hyperactivity and inattention at preschool did not predict sleep duration at kindergarten. The sample consisted of approximately 6,860 children, and analyses controlled for gender, ethnicity and family income. According to the authors, sleep problems, particularly difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, are frequently reported in children and adolescents with ADHD. Longitudinal studies may reveal the direction of causation.
Sleep disturbances in children with psychiatric disorders
Abstract: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among children with psychiatric disorders, making recognition and management of pediatric sleep disorders an important step in improving treatment outcome and preventing relapse of mental illness. This chapter will review the research data on the epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment approaches for sleep disorders frequently seen in the context of common psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Readers will learn about interaction between sleep related problems and symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety and Mood Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and about the impact of sleep loss and sleep fragmentation on the emotional and behavioral development in children.
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