Study finds connection between ADHD and sleep disorders

March 2, 4:02 AMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

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A new study from the Douglas Mental Health University Institute has found that children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) suffer from sleep deprivation and unusual REM patterns.

Experts have long suspected that a link existed between ADHD and sleep disorders, but there were too many difficulties which arose when attempting  to conduct research of children's sleeping patterns to provide conclusive evidence.  Researchers at Douglas, however, where able to control factors which caused previous unpredictability and thus obtain credible results. 

Science Daily reports that researchers found evidence to support the theory that children with ADHD do indeed, suffer from sleep disorders.  By researching both children with ADHD and without, they were able to make comparisons between the two groups:

Children in the ADHD group had an average total sleep time of eight hours, 19 minutes; this was 33 minutes less than the average sleep time of eight hours, 52 minutes, in controls. Children with ADHD also had an average rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time that was significantly reduced by 16 minutes.

The researchers do not feel that the sleep disorders cause ADHD, but see them as a part of the condition.  They express the need to conduct further research into the relationship and hopefully help to provide children who are diagnosed as suffering from ADHD with sleep therapy.

You can read more at Science Daily.