Research shows that up to 70% of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have some kind of sleep problem. Although the exact cause of sleep problems in children with ADHD is not known, this problem may be related to: medication, anxiety, lower production of melatonin (a hormone that helps maintain sleep)...

Sleep problems in children with ADHD can take many forms, including:

Refusing to go to bed : Parents may have a difficult time when their child refuses to go to sleep, running out of the room over and over again.

Bedtime worries: Worries like sleeping alone or being in the dark can cause stress in children until bedtime. In addition, they may not stop thinking about problems they encountered during the day.

Insomnia: In this case, the child cannot fall asleep, does not sleep deeply, or both. Children with ADHD also tend to wake up earlier, and insomnia occurs more often in adolescents than in children.

Delayed sleep : Children stay up late and go to bed late. This condition is also more common in adolescents with AHAD.

Special sleep habits: Children sometimes need a specific toy or a special routine to fall asleep, such as watching TV or needing a parent to be in the room. If the toy is taken away, they may wake up.

Sleep apnea and snoring: Both of these problems are caused by breathing problems while you sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when your upper airway becomes blocked and you stop breathing momentarily, interrupting your sleep.

Restless legs syndrome: This condition causes children to feel uncomfortable in their legs. To relieve the feeling, they often move their legs while sleeping.

Not getting enough sleep can make ADHD symptoms worse in children, such as: hyperactivity, inattention, difficulty processing information, difficulty concentrating. In addition, not getting enough sleep can reduce the quality of life of children. Children with ADHD who do not sleep well may miss a lot of school because they cannot wake up in the morning. Poor sleep can also increase the risk of other problems such as: depression, anxiety, obesity...

Some ways that may help children with ADHD sleep better include:

Maintain a sleep routine: Maintain consistency in the activities your child does in the hour or two before bedtime. Try to keep the same order of routines, say: bath, pajamas, brushing teeth, reading, soft music, lights out, etc.

Turn off electronic devices: Turn off TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers... at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Direct your child to relaxing activities such as reading or listening to soft music to help them fall asleep easily.

Limit caffeine : Limit your child's intake of caffeinated beverages, such as soda, tea, and coffee, in the afternoon and evening.

Get your child moving during the day: Exercising during the day can help your child fall asleep easier and sleep better at night.

Bao Bao (According to WebMD)