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Sleep quality in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sleep disorders are common in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Two sleep questionnaires; the Brown ADD Scale, the Symptom-Checklist-90-R, and a self-developed symptom questionnaire were administered in this study. In a sample of 61 patients without comorbidity, current substance abuse and medication intake, sleep problems were reported more often than in healthy controls. A lack of being refreshed in the morning was very closely associated with ADHD symptomatology whereas insomnia was related to the presence of comorbidity and depressive symptoms. In the total sample (N = 120), medication intake (mainly stimulants) was not related to any of the sleep parameters. It seems important to screen adult patients with ADHD for the presence of sleep disorders, especially insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and sleep-related breathing disorders (the last in conjunction with the body mass index). Since primary sleep disorders are associated with cognitive impairment, one might expect that ADHD symptomatology may improve if comorbid sleep disorders are adequately treated in addition to the specific ADHD treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep laboratory, Central Institute of Mental Health, PO Box 12 21 20, 68072, Mannheim, Germany

    Michael Schredl PhD, Barbara Alm MD & Esther Sobanski MD

Authors
  1. Michael Schredl PhD
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  2. Barbara Alm MD
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  3. Esther Sobanski MD
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Correspondence to Michael Schredl PhD.

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Schredl, M., Alm, B. & Sobanski, E. Sleep quality in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 257, 164–168 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0703-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0703-1

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