Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep?
Sleep challenges are very common for people with ADHD. Research suggests that up to 80% of adults and children with ADHD experience ongoing sleep difficulties.
Sleep difficulties in ADHD can include insomnia, racing thoughts at night, or a delayed sleep schedule. When sleep is disrupted, it can worsen focus, memory, and emotional regulation the next day, while ADHD itself can make it harder to maintain consistent sleep routines.
The result: A frustrating cycle of ADHD and sleep disruption?
Sleep and attention influence each other in a cycle. Many people with ADHD have a naturally later circadian rhythm, meaning their internal clock shifts sleep later.
Research suggests delayed sleep timing affects up to 70–80% of people with ADHD. At night, racing thoughts, hyperfocus, and inconsistent routines can make it harder to wind down and fall asleep. The next day, poor sleep can worsen attention, memory, executive functioning, and mood.
Over time, this can reinforce a cycle where ADHD makes sleep harder — and poor sleep makes ADHD symptoms worse. Addressing both together can help break that pattern.
At Springboard Clinic, our approach considers ADHD, sleep apnea, insomnia, circadian rhythm differences, and other sleep factors – all in one assessment. What’s included:
Advancing sleep health requires collaboration. We are proud to partner with Resolve Sleep Health, Canada’s leading sleep health provider delivering comprehensive, patient‑centred sleep solutions through a national network of over 145 clinics and virtual care services. We help individuals across the full sleep health journey—from early assessment and diagnosis to long‑term therapy and ongoing support.
You might notice patterns like feeling most alert late at night, racing thoughts when trying to fall asleep, getting a “second wind” in the evening, gradually shifting your sleep schedule later, or poor sleep making focus worse the next day. If these sound familiar, exploring sleep and attention together can help identify solutions.
Sometimes it’s a combination. Sleep problems like insomnia, restless sleep, or sleep apnea can worsen attention and mimic ADHD symptoms. A comprehensive assessment helps untangle these factors and guide personalized strategies.
Yes. Breathing disruptions during sleep can cause fatigue, poor focus, and irritability — sometimes mimicking ADHD symptoms. Screening for sleep apnea is important if you snore, pause breathing at night, or feel excessively sleepy during the day. Treating sleep apnea often improves both sleep and attention.