From Restless to Restful with Dr. Roberto Olivardia
Mar 18, 2024
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Dr. Olivardia discusses sleep challenges in ADHD & shares tips for better sleep. Strategies like bedtime routines, relaxation techniques, and unique approaches are explored. The impact of smartphone use on sleep & mixed research on melatonin for ADHD are discussed. Emphasis on establishing healthy sleep habits.
Creating a pre-sleep routine can signal the brain it's bedtime, aiding in calming the mind for restful sleep.
Individuals with ADHD may require unique strategies to prepare for sleep, including more stimulation to quiet the mind.
Consulting a sleep specialist can uncover underlying sleep issues and provide personalized treatments for improved sleep quality.
Deep dives
The Importance of Establishing a Pre-Sleep Routine
Establishing a pre-sleep routine, like changing into comfortable sleepwear, dimming the lights, and engaging in relaxing activities, signals the brain that it's time for bed. This routine can help calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep.
Experimenting with Sleep Techniques for ADHD
Not all traditional sleep recommendations work the same for individuals with ADHD. It's crucial to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for your unique brain. Some may need more stimulation to calm down before sleep.
Consulting with a Sleep Specialist
If sleep issues persist despite efforts, consulting a sleep specialist can be beneficial. Specialists can identify underlying sleep problems and recommend tailored treatments to improve sleep quality.
Importance of Seeking Professional Guidance for Sleep Problems
Seeking guidance from a sleep specialist can uncover unknown sleep issues and provide targeted treatments for better sleep quality. Consulting experts can offer valuable insights and solutions for persistent sleep difficulties.
Supporting Others by Sharing Sleep Tips
Sharing sleep tips and techniques with others can help improve overall sleep hygiene. Encouraging friends and family to establish healthy sleep routines and seek professional help when needed supports better sleep habits for all.
I’ve got an exciting interview today that I’ve been hoping to do for a while now.
Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He specializes in the treatment of ADHD and within the field of ADHD, he further specializes in comorbid disorders, such as OCD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder.
However, in true ADHD, fashion during our pre-interview chat we decided to switch the direction of the podcast to instead deal with sleep. In our conversation we talk about Dr. Olivardia’s own issues with sleep and how sleep is just one of those issues that seems to plague everyone with ADHD. We get into some of what underpins ADHD sleep issues and some of the things that we can do to try and get ourselves a good night’s sleep.
I had a blast recording this and I hope you enjoy just as much as I did. Sign up for my Newsletter Any And All Distractions Feel free to ask me a question on my Contact Page Find the full show note at HackingYourADHD.com/175This Episode's Top Tips
Establish a pre-sleep routine that signals to your brain that it's time for bed. This might include changing into comfortable sleepwear, dimming the lights, and engaging in a relaxing activity like reading or listening to music. Or, as was the case for Dr. Olivardia, going and getting a workout in. Remember that sometimes to calm your ADHD brain down, you need a bit more stimulation.
Underpinning that last point again, not everything that is typically recommended for getting a good night's sleep always works for our ADHD. It’s important to experiment with different techniques to see what works and doesn’t work for you.
If sleep problems persist despite your best efforts it’s always good to consider consulting with a sleep specialist. We often don’t know what we don’t know when it comes to sleep and a specialist can help identify any underlying issues and recommend additional treatments.
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