ADHD in youth may be misdiagnosed for sleep disorders

BALTIMORE - Frenzied and restless behavior in a teenage son or daughter may signal they need more pillow time.


Teens do not exhibit the same signs of sleepiness as adults, and therefore distracted or overexcited behavior caused by fragmented sleep may masquerade as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, said Dr. Robert Meny, a sleep specialist at the Sleep Center at Franklin Square in Baltimore City.

“A tired child is an irritable, hyper child,” he said, whereas adults tend to be more subdued when they are sleepy.

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