ADHD is a condition that affects the brain and nervous system causing trouble in executive functioning, attention, motivation, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity.
Although being tired is not currently included within the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Some small studies suggest that some ADHD people experience fatigue as well.
Does ADHD Cause Tiredness ?
Research studies have not concluded this claim. Yet, there are indicators that suggest ADHD does affect dopamine production. An inability of the body to respond to inappropriate dopamine levels could be a cause of exhaustion.
Dopamine plays an important part in pleasure and reward responses, motivation, emotional behaviors and executive functioning. If the body wasn’t producing enough dopamine or unable to utilize what it was making. Then it seems like a plausible conclusion that ADHD could cause tiredness in some people.
Since, hyperactivity is a major issue with ADHD causing an excess of moving and talking. It also would make sense that an ADHD person would get tired at some point in time.
According to a 2019 study which examined a number of mental health issues and involved 407 people of which 97 were nurses. They found that there was a strong correlation of the nurses who had ADHD and exhaustion. It is also known that being tired is common in anxiety and depression. Which can both be associated with an ADHD diagnosis.
Also, a lack of energy and motivation could be attributed to less than normal functioning of the prefrontal cortex. Which would affect a persons ability to focus, organize and plan daily events. These deficits could also take on the appearance of looking tired.
Causes of Tiredness in ADHD
Energy deficits in ADHD people could possibly be explained by the fact that ADHD sufferers often have anxiety or depression. Both of these conditions can cause fatigue as seen by excessive sleeping or insomnia which leads to being sleep deprived. Also ADHD brings about lack of motivation, forgetfulness, incomplete work and missing work assignments. All of these problems are also symptoms of tiredness.
The connection between ADHD and feeling tired should be diagnosed by a doctor or health care professional. When a doctor treats ADHD with drugs, sometimes the fatigue can be a symptom of the medication. Certain stimulant medication can cause fatigue when it is suddenly stopped after being used for a period of time.
Other Tired-Like Symptoms of ADHD
Avoidance of taking on or finishing difficult tasks at school or work because of the lack of focus.
Daydreaming is common in ADHD and can appear like a person is disinterested or sleepy.
Brain Fog is very common in ADHD. It is referred to as sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). SCT can make a person react sluggishly, be distracted, daydream, work slowly and become less alert.
Difficulty with Focus in ADHD people can come in the form of feeling easily bored, distracted and having difficulty listening to directions. Resulting in being spaced out throughout the day.
Lack of Reward Network is challenged in people with ADHD. The problem with dopamine production or utilization with ADHD makes it difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment. So, often ADHD people will avoid doing difficult tasks making them appear to be disinterested.
Overwhelmed because of executive function deficits the ADHD mind is unable to plan and manage time properly. So the feeling of being overwhelmed is often a prominent feature of ADHD. This feeling leads to a cycle of other distractions, more daydreaming and disinterest.
Management and Treatment Options
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some recommendations to help guide parents and caregivers in the treatment of ADHD children. They include: parent training in behavior management along with classroom accommodations for 4-6 year old ADHD children.
Changes in school or at work could be made like, having a dedicated space with less distractions and allowing more time to complete school work.
There are several federal laws now in place in the US that require work places and schools to make reasonable changes to accommodate an ADHD person.
Therapy
Psychotherapy , cognitive therapy can help one to develop skills to aid in managing and better understanding the condition.
Neurofeedback Therapy
This modality has been proven to be of great benefit for the treatment of the most problematic symptoms that go along with an ADHD diagnosis. Neurofeedback has a history of successfully treating anxiety, depression , mental clarity, impulsivity and focus. In fact, neurofeedback has become the new drug free method and is being approved and advocated by doctors for their ADHD patients.
Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
The FDA has approved a trigeminal nerve stimulation device for ADHD children who are not currently on medication. It is a non- invasive brain stimulator that uses low current electrical signals to help combat hyperactivity.
Medication
ADHD drugs have been in use for years from stimulants like methylphenidate to several types of antidepressants. You should always talk to your doctor to find the best one for your child and take a journal to keep track of how it is working.
Parents and caregivers should seek out professional help when they believe their child has ADHD. This would include having a full write up done to verify a diagnosis. Then, building a network of health professionals to include a combination of treatments and therapies.
– A Balanced Brain is a Calm and Focused Brain-