ADHD and Sleep. What are you, a Night Owl or a Morning Lark?

With ADHD, there is frequently an issue with sleep.  Some people are early risers, do their best work in the morning and go to bed early. These are the 'Larks'. However, there is a significant number of others with ADHD who feel that they function better  at night and can often still be working away in the wee small hours. These are the 'Owls'. 

Are you a Night Owl or a Morning Lark?

Your chronotype is your natural inclination with regard to the times of day when you prefer to sleep or when you are most alert or energetic.

Night Owl and Morning Lark are two types of chronotypes. The third chronotype is the in-between, balanced version of these two.

The type of chronotype you are is linked to your circadian rhythm; this is your inner clock that regulates your sleep/wake cycle. For many people with ADHD, this rhythm is disturbed and this can contribute to them being a Night Owl.

The research suggests that we don’t yet know what is the cause and consequence of this. However, it does pose a number of questions, such as, what impact does a disturbed circadian rhythm have on inattentiveness and impulsivity? And, could it be that the same mechanisms that cause ADHD also de-regulate the sleep/wake cycle?

These questions do raise possibilities. However, what has become apparent in my own clinical practice is that for many adults for whom we diagnose ADHD and treat their systems, they report that they have never slept better.

I do believe that with new found focus and attention, many patients will go on to achieve success during the day and this can positively affect their sleep cycle. If you are able to get your stuff done during the day, control your impulses and have a better sense of control, what comes with that is less over-thinking at night, you're less likely to gravitate at night towards activities that give you immediate reward but little long term benefit and, there's a more natural tiredness - you begin to look forward to going to your bed and having a good night's sleep, safe in the knowledge that when tomorrow comes, you're going to achieve.

These results are not for all, but for many, the positive knock-on effect from ADHD treatment to sleep, can be life-changing.