ADHD And Sleep Problems Part One

The dream was vivid, bright high-resolution visuals and realistic surround sound. A roaring beast was chasing me on a mountain top and suddenly I came to a cliff edge - off to the left I desperately saw a flimsy rope bridge. I narrowly evaded a brutal toe as the beast tried sweep me up into his mouth. I ran onto the rope bridge - when I got to the middle the bridge started to sway violently - then a bolt of lightening struck the rope just in front of me and I fell into the abyss…

I woke up on my knees next to my bed, clutching the sheet, with my poor wife staring at me in horror. I dream every night, and most nights I thrash around - never waking up in the same place where I went to sleep.

The last few years have not had as many terrors as the one described above, but it is like I live in many different worlds when my eyes shut out the conscious world.

Around about the time I turned one, my mother noticed that I was scratching my pillow to keep myself awake. Seventy years on and I have simply found other techniques to avoid sleeping.

Most of my working life I thrived on around 4 hours sleep a night. Being a news photographer during a turbulent time in Southern Africa almost demanded that one be able to function on minimal sleep.

Having been involved in ADHD for the last 25 years I know that sleep problems and ADHD go hand-in-hand, as well as Forrest Gump said peas and carrots did. But I never knew just how prevalent it was. There are significant non-sleep impacts on the person affected by a sleep disorder. Sleep issues must be taken seriously.

One good thing I have known for a long time is that the best ADHD statistics come from Sweden where the authorities know everything about you - and their data is accurate.

Here is the relevant data - I have simplified it so it is easier to understand. What you will see below is the ratio of ADDers compared to non-ADHD people who suffer from sleep disturbances

 Adolescents and young adults are the ones that suffer the most.

In Part Two of this article I will provide you with the ratios of people that suffer with the different types of sleep problems, which will help you as a parent to understand that your child is not alone when it comes to sleep issues.

Dinasaur Image: Alex Bon