Insomnia and ADHD frequently occur together in adults, creating a complex pattern of disrupted nights and tired, distracted days. Sleep difficulties are one of the most common yet often overlooked aspects of ADHD in adulthood. While insomnia is a major factor, it is not always the full story.
In many cases, what looks like insomnia is actually a circadian rhythm disorder, such as Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder, which is especially common in adults with ADHD. Understanding the difference is essential for choosing the right treatment. At Private Psychiatry, our team includes clinicians with expertise in both ADHD and behavioural sleep medicine. We work to identify the specific nature of each person’s sleep issue and treat it accordingly.
Insomnia refers to persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and not feeling rested. People with insomnia usually try to sleep at an appropriate time but remain awake or wake up repeatedly during the night.
By contrast, a circadian rhythm disorder affects the body’s internal clock. In Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder, the brain naturally wants to sleep much later than what is socially expected, often two to four hours later than a typical bedtime. People with this pattern can fall asleep and sleep well when allowed to follow their natural rhythm, such as during weekends or holidays.
This distinction is particularly important in ADHD, as many adults experience delayed sleep timing rather than insomnia itself. If misdiagnosed, the wrong treatment may be offered, such as sedating medications, which are not effective for shifting biological rhythms.
At Private Psychiatry, our clinicians are trained to distinguish between these conditions and to offer targeted, evidence based interventions based on the specific sleep issue.
Whether caused by insomnia or delayed sleep timing, adults with ADHD often face significant struggles with sleep. This may include:
ADHD impacts self regulation, attention, and planning. These same challenges can make it difficult to develop and maintain consistent sleep patterns. In many cases, poor sleep further worsens ADHD symptoms, leading to a cycle of exhaustion, frustration, and daytime impairment.
Among the different types of circadian rhythm disorders, Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder is the most commonly associated with ADHD. Individuals with this pattern may not feel sleepy until well after midnight and find it extremely difficult to wake up in the morning, even after sufficient rest.
This delayed pattern is not due to poor sleep habits. It is driven by internal timing differences in the sleep wake system. Without the right diagnosis, it may be mistaken for insomnia.
At Private Psychiatry, we understand the importance of correctly identifying circadian issues in ADHD. The treatment approach for these conditions differs significantly from insomnia, and making the right distinction allows for more effective, lasting improvement.
Our clinicians take a comprehensive and individualised approach to sleep and ADHD. With backgrounds in psychiatry and behavioural sleep medicine, we offer treatments based on a full understanding of how these conditions interact.
We use validated tools and structured clinical interviews to confirm or rule out ADHD, assess its severity, and understand its impact on sleep and daily life.
We assess whether you are experiencing insomnia, a circadian rhythm issue like Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder, or a combination of both. This is done through clinical interviews, sleep pattern reviews, and when needed, sleep logs or actigraphy.
This is the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia. CBT I helps reduce night time alertness, reset sleep habits, and address the behaviours that keep the insomnia cycle going. It can be tailored for adults with ADHD to suit their attention and organisational challenges.
For circadian rhythm problems, we may use structured exposure to morning light and recommend the use of natural, body clock shifting treatments taken at specific times to gradually reset the sleep phase. These are non sedating and designed to gently realign your internal sleep wake cycle with your daily schedule.
We carefully assess how ADHD medications may be affecting sleep and consider non stimulant or extended release alternatives when appropriate. The timing of medication can also be adjusted to reduce sleep disruption without sacrificing focus during the day.
We help you build practical routines around sleep, including reducing screen exposure before bed, supporting regular wake times, managing evening stimulation, and reinforcing morning light exposure.
A person with ADHD who struggles to fall asleep at 2 a.m. and cannot wake up until mid morning may not have insomnia. They may have a delayed circadian rhythm. Treating this with sedatives or general sleep aids is unlikely to help and may even make daytime function worse.
Correctly identifying the sleep disorder, and whether it is insomnia, Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder, or both, is essential to effective care. Our team at Private Psychiatry brings this specialist insight into every assessment and treatment plan.
Better sleep supports better focus, emotional balance, and executive functioning. Whether the problem is insomnia, a delayed circadian pattern, or a mix of both, targeted treatment can help restore sleep quality and improve ADHD symptoms during the day.
Our clinicians work with adults to improve sleep, stabilise routines, and strengthen attention, all in a personalised and evidence informed way.
Insomnia and ADHD are frequently linked, but sleep problems can take different forms. Some adults struggle to fall asleep due to anxiety or racing thoughts. Others have a biological tendency toward later sleep, which conflicts with social and professional demands.
At Private Psychiatry, our clinicians specialise in both ADHD and sleep medicine. We take time to understand each patient’s unique pattern and offer the right combination of strategies, therapies, and treatments for long term improvement.
Yes, it is very common. Many adults with ADHD experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. These sleep issues are often related to ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, racing thoughts, and difficulty unwinding in the evening. In some cases, the problem may be due to a delayed sleep timing rather than classic insomnia.
Absolutely. While anxiety can contribute to poor sleep, ADHD itself often affects the body’s internal rhythms and self-regulation. Adults with ADHD may find it hard to feel sleepy at conventional times or maintain a consistent sleep routine, even if they are not feeling stressed or worried.
Insomnia involves difficulty sleeping despite having the opportunity to rest. A circadian rhythm disorder, such as Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder, means the body’s internal clock is out of sync with social norms. In this case, sleep can occur naturally and be restful, but only at much later times, often well past midnight. The treatment approaches for these two conditions are different.
Not necessarily. Some stimulant medications can disrupt sleep if taken too late in the day, but others may actually improve sleep by helping regulate ADHD symptoms. There are also non stimulant options. The effect of medication on sleep depends on the type, dose, and timing, which is why individual review by a specialist is essential.
At Private Psychiatry, our clinicians are experienced in treating both ADHD and sleep disorders. We provide personalised assessments to determine whether you are experiencing insomnia, a circadian rhythm issue, or both. Treatment may include therapy, behavioural coaching, body clock resetting techniques, or careful adjustment of medication to improve both sleep and focus.
