Some adults with ADHD report having a lower quality of life—and new research shows that this may be the result of insomnia.
Research led by the University of Southampton and the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience found a link between insomnia and reduced well-being in people with ADHD. They found that poor sleep may worsen attention and emotional issues, and vice versa.
What The Research Found
The study analyzed data from the Netherlands Sleep Registry, an online survey with more than ten thousand adult participants.
Researchers studied responses from 1,364 participants who had answered questions about ADHD traits, sleep disturbances, circadian factors, depression and quality of life.1 They found that:
- One in four people with ADHD reported having a sleep disorder, with insomnia being the most common of these.
- ADHD traits were associated with more severe depression, worse insomnia and lower sleep quality.
- ADHD and insomnia severity both predicted a lower quality of life, with further study indicating that insomnia may be the link between the two.
We’ll Help You Rest Well
If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, our team at Collin County ENT is here to help. We can provide sleep testing to determine if you are experiencing an underlying condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Call us at (972) 928-0043 to schedule an appointment with our sleep specialists today to get started with a personalized plan of care.
1 ScienceDaily. (2025, July 16). Can’t sleep, can’t focus, can’t thrive? ADHD and insomnia may be a vicious cycle. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000843.html