Why ADHD Makes It So Hard to Sleep — and What You Can Do About It

Dr. Tracey Marks explains the ways that ADHD itself can disrupt your circadian rhythm—your body’s internal clock that regulates sleep, mood, hunger, and even executive function.

People with ADHD are more likely to experience “eveningness,” a natural tendency to stay up late, feel alert at night, and have difficulty falling asleep—even when they’re exhausted. Dr. Marks breaks down why this happens, how ADHD medication can both help and hurt sleep, and what you can do to reset your internal clock.

She offers a balanced approach:

• Short-term sleep aids to break the cycle when needed
• Behavioral strategies like winding down with blue light blockers, calming activities, or warm foot baths
• Alarms and reminders to keep your bedtime on track
• Daily exercise to promote better rest and brain function

If you’re tired of being tired—and wondering why your brain won’t shut off at night—this video is packed with helpful tips and compassionate insight.

For more insight on how ADHD affects children at bedtime, see the article Why Children with ADHD Hate Bedtime: Solutions to ADHD Sleep Problems by Joel Nigg, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Super, M.D. It explores how ADHD’s hypersensitivity to sound, light, and stimulation can make bedtime a nightly battle—and offers practical, research-based strategies to help kids wind down and get the rest they need.