Does Anxiety with ADHD Cause Insomnia?

PostedSeptember 11, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 12, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Victoria Rowe, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Yes, anxiety causes ADHD insomnia is a common issue. Children and adults with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, which can greatly affect their ability to fall asleep and remain asleep. The combination of ADHD, anxiety, and sleep problems can create a vicious cycle, where anxiety worsens ADHD symptoms, and poor sleep increases both anxiety and ADHD-related difficulties. This can lead to insomnia, making it even more challenging to manage daily functioning.

How Anxiety Affects Sleep in ADHD

In individuals with ADHD, anxiety may appear as racing thoughts, restlessness, and increased tension, especially at night when the mind should be preparing for sleep. These feelings of unease can lead to sleep problems, such as:

Difficulty falling asleep

Anxiety causes hyperarousal, making it hard to relax and fall asleep.

Frequent waking

Even once asleep, anxiety can cause restlessness and awakenings throughout the night.

Nighttime worrying

Concerns about daily tasks, school, or social situations can keep the mind active, preventing restful sleep.

The Impact of Anxiety and ADHD on Insomnia

When anxiety-ausing ADHD insomnia is not addressed, the lack of sleep can worsen both ADHD symptoms and anxiety. Poor sleep makes it harder to regulate emotions, focus, and stay on task during the day. This can lead to increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, and even more anxiety. Over time, the cycle of anxiety, insomnia, and ADHD symptoms becomes self-perpetuating, making both conditions harder to manage.

Managing Anxiety and ADHD-Related Insomnia

To break the cycle of sleep problems, it is important to treat both ADHD and anxiety together. Effective strategies include:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT for anxiety and insomnia to help individuals manage thoughts and behaviours that interfere with sleep.

Relaxation techniques

Techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to reduce anxiety and prepare the mind for rest.

Medication

In some cases, medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleep aids may be prescribed alongside ADHD treatments to help manage both conditions.

By addressing ADHD anxiety and insomnia together, children and adults with ADHD can experience better sleep quality, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced daytime functioning. For more on sleep problems and managing anxiety-causing ADHD insomnia, reach out to providers like ADHD Certify.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Sleep disorders.

Victoria Rowe, MSc

Author

Victoria Rowe is a health psychologist with a Master’s in Health Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She has experience as a school psychologist, conducting behavioural assessments, developing individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting children’s mental health. Dr. Rowe has contributed to peer-reviewed research on mental health, including studies on anxiety disorders and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. Skilled in SPSS, Minitab, and academic writing, she is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and promoting well-being through evidence-based practice.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.