Treatment Options for ADHD-Related Sleep Problems
If the patient spends hours a night with thoughts bouncing and his body tossing, this is probably a manifestation of ADHD. The best treatment is a dose of stimulant-class medication 45 minutes before bedtime. This course of action, however, is a hard sell to patients who suffer from difficulty sleeping. Consequently, once they have determined their optimal dose of medication, I ask them to take a nap an hour after they have taken the second dose.
Generally, they find that the medication’s “paradoxical effect” of calming restlessness is sufficient to allow them to fall asleep. Most adults are so sleep-deprived that a nap is usually successful. Once people see for themselves, in a “no-risk” situation, that the medications can help them shut off their brains and bodies and fall asleep, they are more willing to try medications at bedtime. About two-thirds of my adult patients take a full dose of their ADHD medication every night to fall asleep.
Good luck convincing my doctor of this. 🙁
I started Vyvanse last week for the first time in eight years and I've had more creative output in the past three days than the previous 3-4 months.
I know, it's one hell of a drug. I'm going to write a post later today talking about my first month on it, it's truly remarkable what this medicine does to the way your brain operates