ADHD and sleep: questions about symptoms and treatment claims
Waking Up to the Role Of Sleep in ADHD
By Dr Mark Ryan · Originally published 14 November 2019
Original article
Dr Mark Ryan is a Psychiatrist and Clinical Director of neuroCare Clinics Australia. Mark has a strong interest in understanding the mind-brain-body nexus and new approaches in therapies that can improve and sustain mental health and well-being. For more, visit Listen and Learn.
Research shows the largest group of all age groups with ADHD have an evident sleep problem. Yet, often in Mental Health practice, sleep disorders with ADHD are perceived as a symptom of rather than having a causal effect. Accumulating research suggests that if we first help patients with their sleep, this can go a long way in overcoming symptoms of ADHD as well as helping indications of Depression or Anxiety. neuroCare Clinical Director and Psychiatrist, Dr Mark Ryan recently co-wrote an article published in the Journal of Neurotherapy, with an enlightening view on the role of sleep in ADHD.
[Clickability update, October 2026: The heading must not be read as a diagnosis. Sleep difficulty can affect daily functioning, but assessment should consider the individual rather than treating symptom overlap as proof. Healthdirect sleep information provides a starting point for discussing concerns.]
Is ADHD just a sleep disorder?
Broadly speaking, ADHD is diagnosed when there is “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development”
What is interesting, however, is that negative ADHD-like symptoms are similar to those observed in people not diagnosed with ADHD but who have poor sleep routines or do not get enough sleep. People with jetlag or a week on night-shift will present with many symptoms familiar to the ADHD diagnosis: an inability to maintain focus and attention, impaired learning and/or behavioural difficulties, impulsivity and reactivity.
We know that children diagnosed with the label of ADHD are reported to have altered sleep structure, spending more time in stage 1 sleep and it is shown there is a lack of sleep spindles in this group. Studies also show more daytime sleepiness in children given the ADHD label.
In research, shortened sleep duration is found to be a direct cause of inattention, daytime sleepiness and oppositionality. Longer sleep duration is associated with better school performances and cognitive functioning whilst sleep restriction is associated with poorer academic performance.
Researchers have also demonstrated a correlation between the severity of a sleep problem and cognitive dysfunction. In a study in 2018 by McGowan and Coogan, they found that a “delayed sleep onset latency” (i.e. the time it takes to fall asleep) is associated with impulsive behaviour.
Disordered breathing in sleep, snoring (e.g., due to enlarged adenoids) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are associated with both inattention and hyperactivity with the same relationship also shown in a general population without ADHD.
We also notice the severity of sleep problems in children with ADHD, is a likely predictor they will not grow out of these symptoms into adolescence or adult.
For a deeper analysis into this accumulating evidence, I offered a literature review and positioning in a recent Journal of Neurotherapy publication.
Sleep and its Role in Mental Health
Sleep restriction is also linked to mood dysregulation, self-harm and impulsivity suggesting an important role of sleep interventions in the treatment and prevention of self-harm behaviours and mood disorders. Sleep Expert Matthew Walker suggests that the sleep restriction is associated with both hyperactivations of the dopaminergic striatum and hypo-activation of the prefrontal areas (resulting in emotional instability). This tells us sleep has a key role in the neurophysiological process which regulates mood and emotions.
At neuroCare when doing QEEG measurements of people with Depression or ADHD, we often find “beta spindles” in daytime brain activity which indicate “sleepiness”.
Evidence-based a personalised Neurofeedback, a sustainable brain training technique, is a therapy option to help train sleep spindles in the brain. In scientific research, also reflected in the outcomes of our clinics, a full program of Neurofeedback therapy is proven effective in 78% of the ADHD population (see Arns et al. 2012).
[Clickability update, October 2026: This historical success claim overstates the certainty for readers. The Australian ADHD guideline evidence review did not find sufficient evidence to recommend neurofeedback. That is not the same as proving no effect; discuss evidence and alternatives with your treating professional.]
Bring sleep concerns into your treatment conversation
Describe the difficulties you notice, when they occur and how they affect your day. Ask your clinician how sleep, other conditions and your current treatment should be considered together. A diary may help organise the discussion, but it is not a diagnosis.
If considering a proposed therapy, ask what evidence applies to people in your circumstances, what it costs and how outcomes will be assessed. Do not assume a success percentage from a promotional article predicts your result or establishes NDIS funding. Keep changes to medication or treatment within a discussion with your treating professional.
Describe observations without deciding the diagnosis
With the person’s agreement, share practical examples of sleep and daytime difficulties. For a child, include what happens across home and school while keeping the child’s experience central. Avoid treating a difficult night as proof that a diagnosis is wrong.
Ask how the clinician will investigate concerns and what follow-up is needed. Discuss any proposed programme’s evidence, burden and cost before committing. Health care and NDIS disability support have different roles; neither an article nor a directory listing resolves the funding question.
Questions readers ask
Does symptom overlap mean ADHD is only a sleep disorder?
No. Sleep and attention concerns need individual clinical assessment.
Does the current Australian guideline recommend neurofeedback for ADHD?
Its evidence review did not identify sufficient evidence to make a recommendation. This is different from proving no effect. Official guidance
Find disability support alongside your clinical care
If you need help with daily routines or participation, describe that need through Clickability and compare reviewed and rated providers. Discuss diagnosis and treatment with your treating professional.
