Is it ADHD or Lack of Sleep?

Posted on: January 19th, 2017 by Neurohealth Associates

We all know that many times ADHD is misdiagnosed, but did you know that a leading reason is lack of sleep? Studies have shown that children who have a sleep disorder or sleep inhibiting habits will show the same symptoms as those in ADHD. For instance, a study that analyzed over 11,000 kids over 6 years beginning at age 6 months concluded that kids who breath through their mouths, snore, or apnea have been shown to suffer from ADHD-like behaviors.

Then a separate study compared children who had adenoids removed and had previously exhibited the typical ADHD symptoms, inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity – the classic symptoms of ADHD, and half of them no longer exhibited such behaviors a year after the surgery.

If there is a misdiagnosis of ADHD, this can be problematic when one considers the fact that medications used to treat ADHD, like Vyvanse and Ritalin, are stimulants and can cause insomnia, further exacerbating the sleep issue that is in many cases the real root cause.

Fortunately, EEG neurofeedback can treat both ADHD and Sleeping Disorders.

For more information about these studies please see an article published in 2012 by health.usnews.com

Talk to one of our specialists about treatment for ADHD or sleeping problems such as insomnia by contacting us or calling (630) 969-3233 today.

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Tags: add, adhd, mental health, sleep, stress

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