Insomnia as as Side Effect of ADHD

Of all the side effects and secondary medical conditions associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, perhaps one of the most dangerous is the recurrent event of chronic insomnia. Some of the reasons many people with ADHD, myself included, suffer with chronic recurrent insomnia is because sometimes it is necessary to stray from our routine of getting in bed at the same time each night, or we simply can't sleep because our mind isn't winding down as fast as the rest of our body to prepare for a good night of sleep. Here are some tips that I have found to be quite useful over the years to help get a good night of sleep to avoid ADHD induced insomnia.

One of the most useful things I have found for combating temporary ADHD induced insomnia is to develop a wind down routine. A wind down routine involves setting a specific time each night for going to bed, and gradually increasing your activities before going to bed. Don't work on complicated homework, financial matters, or anything stressful before bed. Read a good book, play light soft music, or watch your favorite sitcom on television for thirty to forty five minutes before you go to bed each night. This helps to keep your mind from thinking random thoughts after you have gotten under the covers and turned off the lights.

For many people, not specifically those affected with ADHD, it is widely known that a slow paced intimate romantic encounter before bed can do wonders to help prevent insomnia. In the absence of a romantic partner, it is helpful to engage in about fifteen to twenty minutes of self exploration, utilizing a variety of different techniques each night. This releases relaxing endorphin hormones which will quickly send you off into a good night of restful sleep.

For the person affected with ADHD, it is normal for the mind to race ninety miles a minute. Late at night this can lead to insomnia because you think back on things that happened years ago, even decades. While it is normal to think about things you may have to get done the next day, try to stay focused on just those things, and other current details of your life instead of thinking back some twenty years.