Hi all! I was formally diagnosed with ADHD in my mid 20’s. Currently taking generic Vyvanse and Guanfacine. Getting on meds was a huge quality of life improvement. One thing that I still struggle with is chronic insomnia, which is a common commorbidity with – or maybe symptom of – ADHD. The insomnia started around the time I hit puberty and I can count on one hand the number of great nights sleeps I’ve had since then.
I’ve tried a lot of environmental changes like:
- Having a rigid bedtime schedule.
- Wearing blue light filter glasses for 3 hours before bed.
- Taking melatonin supplements.
- Minimizing screentime.
- Using a weighted blanket.
Those all seem to help somewhat but not to a huge degree. I still feel sleep deprived most of the time.
Apparently I also occasionally have jerking movements while asleep somewhat consistent with “Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS)”.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and found any effective treatments?
Right there with you. I’ve seen the school photos my parents keep: at 13 it’s a normal photo, at 14 I have deep grey shadows under my eyes. I haven’t been able to sleep “normallly” since then. I was diagnosed a couple years ago at 35; getting on stimulants improved my waking life immeasurably, but the messed up sleep remained. One of the Drs recommended melatonin; this is the only thing that has ever really helped. It kinda short circuits my brain’s intention to stay awake until 4am looking for who knows what, and when I fall asleep I really sleep. Still only manage a few hours of sleep when I’m getting up at normal o’clock for work, but at least I’m getting up.
I don’t have real advice, this is mainly for solidarity. I’m tired too.