Do You Have ADHD or Are You Just Tired?

A new study suggests that ADHD might actually be a sleep disorder-- a suggestion that, if true, could revolutionize the way we treat it.

Read More:

Is ADHD really a sleep problem?
“Around 75 percent of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also have sleep problems, but until now these have been thought to be separate issues. Now a in a pulling together of the latest research, Scientists are proposing of a new theory which says that much of ADHD may in fact be a problem associated with lack of regular circadian sleep.”

Snooze Alarm: Sufficient Sleep Improves Human Health and Longevity
“The science of sleep is a relatively new area of research, but there have been several alarming discoveries about the effects of sleep deprivation in recent years. In May, researchers publishing in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience found that sleep deprivation can severely impact memory function and learning ability.”

Some People Are Programmed to Sleep Better Than Others
“Researchers in Washington state were looking for genes that changed expression throughout your sleep-wake cycle. And they found one in mouse brains: FABP7 - or fatty acid binding protein. They found that mice who had a mutated or "knocked out" FABP7 genes slept more fitfully, compared to mice with normal genes.”

____________________

Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure.

Visit the Seeker website

This episode of Seeker was written and hosted by Trace Dominguez
Written by: Amy Shira Teitel

[neildegrassetyson]

Do you have ADHD or are you just tired?

me: *BOTH*

[gretchenlynn]

ADHD causes your brain to produce lower levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, and both key players in your body falling asleep and staying asleep (norepinephrine is what makes and releases melatonin). So I'm gonna go ahead and say my ADHD causes my bad sleep, not the other way around.

[TrekkieBrie]

I have insomnia and ADHD and I agree if I don’t have a good night sleep my symptoms are much worse, that being said I do still have frustrating symptoms even after a good sleep, but there is a noticeable difference between how my symptoms manifest and how severe they are.

[meganrea]

This actually happened to my older brother. He was diagnosed with severe ADHD at 7 and he was always disruptive and agitated and always wanted to argue with everyone. When he was around 12, I believe, he got his tonsils removed and his sleep apnea ceased. His grades went up, he was happier, and a lot more calm! This makes a lot of sense

[reinajalana]

I've been realizing lately that this has likely long been my issue. I was SO CONVINCED certain traits, behaviors, and struggles I've had for a lot of my life were likely attributed to undiagnosed ADHD. And then I also remembered I've also spent a lot of my life pretty underslept or with poor quality of sleep and just didn't think it was particularly affecting me. I'm realizing it clearly was. And honestly, the ADHD observation could still be true, but as this video points out, at least for me, it's hard not to see it as two sides of the same coin.

[randomprofile]

I don't understand why school, work and everything has to start so early
I have to be at work 6 AM and wake up 4:30 AM
That's bullshit

[sourcedrop]

What's being described is a focus problem stemming from low mental energy reserves.

Sleep deprivation depletes mental energy reserves. Therefore you can't focus because you don't have the energy to do so. Therefore your focus bounces around like a pinball in the wind.

People with ADHD or other ADD types also have depleted mental energy reserves. Therefore they cant focus because they don't have the energy to do so. Therefore their focus bounces around like a pinball in the wind.

Same outward symptom, different fundamental cause. Who knows what is causing the ADD.

[taebeebee]

People in the comments are so fucking disgusting for denying that ADHD exists. It's such a hellish disorder and I hope that they too get stuck with a cloudy brain and crippling depression from being incapacitated by poor executive function and lack of focus

[solan]

I have ADD, and I dont feel like this is very likely. I usually dont get enough sleep on school days, but I never feel like the symptoms of my ADD are better on the weekends when I get more than enough sleep.

[Sjgekko]

One of the first things that we made sure of before getting our kids diagnosed is that they were getting enough sleep. Our pediatrician looks at sleep habits and diet, and even doing behaviour modifications before medicating.

[JohnnyStreets]

I’m definitely an example. I had been diagnosed with ADHD but I also have severe sleep apnea and most recently was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy. Another overlap with the two conditions is that medication for ADHD also keeps you awake during the day. Modifinil and adderrall are often prescribed for narcolepsy.

[corentinguillo]

What about sleeping well for a few months? Has there been studies regarding sleep over the course of a few months instead of just "today tired, today not tired"? Long term bad sleep might affect the structure of the brain

[bobbygirl]

Also weed calmed me down. My brain adjusted and of course I need stronger weed but it helps and I function. Maybe that's why certain people like ones with adhd can handle being stoned.

[PrestonSmithsMusic]

I have ADHD (ADD). It's very manageable with sleep, but trying to get me into some freaky pattern that rest of the world wants me to be in never worked. I sleep when I'm tired and wake up when my body wakes up. I'm a deep sleeper, so alarms never work. Getting tired is something of an effort for a restless mind. Since I refuse to take behavioral medicines, this will never change. I am far more content if my body and mind decides when I'm tired rather than a clock. Noted, not everyone can live this way. People need to work. We force everyone to work around a clock and calendar, not the sun or moon. That too, will never change. I simply won't take the pills to 'fit in'.

[ShamaticWow]

This makes a lot of sence.
I have a sleeping dissorder + ADHD. A solid sleep schedule does indeed reduce a lot of my symptons

[davidsus]

It’s funny you uploaded this because it’s around 6am and I didn’t sleep at all

[megan_bond]

I have ADHD and I have always slept fine. My meds literally just make my brain quiet so I can do things. Before my meds, I would try to describe to people what was going on in my head and l could only really define it as the finest, granular color static that would make it impossible for me to focus on anything. My life turned around so quick after starting ADHD medication. I wasn't daydreaming all day, I could think, I could focus, I was able to sit down and read, and even focus on studying! I love studying things but I was never able to do it until I got on ADHD medication. Saddly, I had already gotten my bachelor's degree when I started my medication. Oh, the things I would have learned so much more deeply and and actually have remembered. But yeah, I've never had any problems sleeping my entire life, although I could only lucid dream until starting ADHD medication. That was interesting to realize. Apparently people want to be able to do lucid dreaming, but, no, no they don't. I had 27 years straight of either not dreaming or only lucid dreaming and that was hell. Maybe that's a sleep disorder? Idk. It's not like I had issues with staying awake or waking up until my depression got really bad when I was 22ish.

[kaliphs]

Started reading the comments already forgot what' he said within 10 seconds of the video

[UltimateSNPA]

I get about 7-9 hours a day but I think the problem with me is that I'm an active sleeper, meaning I talk in my sleep and on some rare occasions, sleep walk.

[pumfeethermodynamics]

adhd causes sleep deprivation, not the other way around.