Sleep disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
1Academic General Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA. Owensleep@gmail.com
Current Psychiatry Reports
|September 23, 2008
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disturbances are complexly linked, impacting children's attention and behavior. Understanding these connections aids in clinical evaluation and management strategies for ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- The relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep is complex, presenting clinical challenges.
- Neuromodulator systems link sleepiness, arousal, and attention, influencing ADHD symptoms.
- Primary sleep disorders contribute to inattention and behavioral dysregulation in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on the multilevel and bidirectional relationships among sleep, neurobehavioral functioning, and ADHD.
- To elucidate the interaction of sleep and attention/arousal in children with ADHD.
- To provide clinical guidelines for evaluating and managing sleep problems in children with ADHD.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.
- Synthesis of studies on neuromodulator systems and their relation to sleep, arousal, and attention.
- Analysis of the prevalence, types, risk factors, and impact of sleep disturbances.
Main Results:
- Sleep disturbances are prevalent and significantly impact children with ADHD.
- Bidirectional relationships exist between sleep, neurobehavioral functioning, and ADHD.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for effective clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of ADHD requires addressing associated sleep problems.
- Clinical guidelines are essential for the evaluation and treatment of sleep issues in ADHD.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between ADHD and sleep.
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