On reviewing the literature it’s clear that mental health disorders are more often than not tied to poor sleep quality and disrupted circadian rhythms. Our circadian rhythms are tied to the natural cycles of light and dark which means the wrong type of light at the wrong time of day or night can disrupt our circadian rhythms and thereby impact our sleep negatively.
Research shows the largest group of all age groups with ADHD have an evident sleep problem. Yet, often in Mental Health practice, sleep disorders with ADHD are perceived as a symptom of rather than having a causal effect. Accumulating research suggests that if we first help patients with their sleep, this can go a long way in overcoming symptoms of ADHD as well as helping indications of Depression or Anxiety. neuroCare Clinical Director and Psychiatrist, Dr Mark Ryan recently co-wrote an article published in the Journal of Neurotherapy, with an enlightening view on the role of sleep in ADHD.