ADHD, Sleep Problems, and Bed Sharing: Future Considerations

Abstract

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000); however, recent research suggests that there is a potential for faux-ADHD diagnoses (Pressman & Imber, 2011) which may be due to externalizing problems with a different etiology. One etiology that has received attention is sleep-related behaviors, in so far as they have been correlated with behavioral problems (Presman & Imber, 2011; and see Thunström, 2002 for research on severe infant sleep problems predicting later ADHD diagnoses). This paper adds to the research in suggesting further factors that should be considered by researchers and clinicians.