#sleepquality — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #sleepquality, aggregated by home.social.
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DATE: August 19, 2026 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Morning sunlight exposure is linked to earlier sleep schedules
URL: https://www.psypost.org/morning-sunlight-exposure-is-linked-to-earlier-sleep-schedules/
Exposure to natural sunlight early in the day is associated with earlier sleep schedules and better overall rest. Researchers found that adults who spent more time in the morning sun had a more aligned internal biological clock, which can promote healthier sleep patterns. The study was published in the journal BMC Public Health.
The human body relies on an internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm, to manage sleep and wake cycles. This rhythm is governed by a tiny region in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. When light enters the eyes, signals travel to this brain region, which then guides the release of various chemical messengers.
One major messenger is melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleepiness. When darkness falls, the body produces more melatonin. When the eyes detect bright light, melatonin production drops, promoting wakefulness.
Modern lifestyles limit how much natural light people receive. Many adults work indoors or spend their leisure time looking at screens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and remote work dramatically reduced the amount of time people spent outside.
Extended periods spent indoors can disrupt the biological clock. When a person’s biological time falls out of sync with their daily obligations, such as waking up early for work despite not feeling rested, they can experience chronic exhaustion. This misalignment is sometimes called social jetlag.
Lead researcher Luiz Antônio Alves de Menezes-Júnior, a public health and nutrition researcher at the Federal University of Ouro Preto in Brazil, and his colleagues wanted to understand how sunlight at different times of the day affects specific elements of sleep. The researchers focused heavily on a metric called the midpoint of sleep, which is the exact halfway mark between the time a person falls asleep and the time they wake up. An earlier midpoint indicates a sleep cycle that is well-synchronized with the natural progression of day and night. A delayed midpoint can mean the internal clock is out of sync with typical social and work schedules.
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,762 adults living in the Iron Quadrilateral region of Brazil between October and December 2020. Interviewers visited homes in two mid-sized cities, using protective measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They randomly selected households from census data, aiming to capture a representative sample across various socioeconomic groups. The participants answered detailed questions about their general health, socioeconomic status, and daily habits.
To evaluate sleep, the participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which is a validated questionnaire used to measure different dimensions of rest over the previous month. This tool helped the researchers calculate each person’s total sleep time, the amount of time it took them to fall asleep, and their sleep efficiency. Sleep efficiency is the percentage of time a person spends actually sleeping while in bed. The questionnaire also provided the data needed to calculate each participant’s midpoint of sleep and their overall sleep quality score.
Overall, the participants reported an average total sleep time of just over seven hours per night. The average sleep midpoint was around 5:18 a.m., meaning the typical participant fell asleep shortly before midnight and woke up just after 7:00 a.m.
To track light exposure, the researchers asked the participants to estimate how many days a week they spent time in the sun. The participants then estimated how many minutes they spent in the sun on those days across three specific time windows. These windows were before 10 a.m., between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and after 3 p.m.
The research team used statistical models to look for relationships between the timing of sunlight exposure and the various sleep metrics. To analyze the results, they used a directed acyclic graph, which is a theoretical model that maps out how different variables might influence one another. This helped them select the correct factors to adjust for in their models, avoiding false associations. They factored in variables such as age, gender, education level, chronic health conditions, and levels of physical activity.
The researchers found that morning sunlight exposure had the strongest relationship with the midpoint of sleep. For every additional 30 minutes a participant spent in the sun before 10 a.m., their sleep midpoint shifted earlier by an average of 23 minutes. The findings suggest that morning light serves as a primary signal to help reset the biological clock.
Afternoon sunlight exposure also showed a relationship with the sleep midpoint, though the effect was smaller. Every 30 minutes of sun exposure after 3 p.m. was associated with a 19-minute earlier sleep midpoint. The researchers noted that afternoon sunlight might signal the approaching evening, or it might coincide with outdoor physical activity that generally aids sleep.
Sunlight exposure in the middle of the day, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., had no statistically significant association with the midpoint of sleep. The lack of an association between midday light and sleep timing suggests that the biological clock is most responsive to light at the extremes of the day.
Beyond the sleep midpoint, morning sunlight was the only time window associated with a better overall sleep quality score on the questionnaire. People who spent more time outside before 10 a.m. reported generally better rest.
Conversely, sunlight exposure at any time of day showed no statistically significant association with total sleep time. Light exposure also had no statistically significant association with how quickly participants fell asleep or their sleep efficiency.
The study relies on observational data, meaning it can only identify patterns rather than prove that sunlight exposure directly causes sleep changes. The participants estimated their own sun exposure and sleep habits, which can introduce memory errors or biases compared to using objective tracking devices.
The researchers calculated a single average sleep midpoint for each participant for the entire week. They did not separate sleep data for workdays versus weekends. People often sleep in on their days off to catch up on rest. A broader weekly average might mask the specific effects of varying daily schedules and weekend sleep habits.
The analysis did not track exposure to artificial light or the amount of time participants spent looking at screens in the evening. Late-day screen light is known to influence sleep onset and biological rhythms, which could skew the interpreted effects of natural sunlight. Additionally, the sleep efficiency data was based entirely on self-reports. Measuring true sleep efficiency generally requires clinical tools like movement-tracking wristbands or formal sleep studies in a laboratory setting.
The data collection took place during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by high social isolation, anxiety, and altered work routines. These unique societal conditions likely influenced the participants’ stress levels and sleep patterns in ways that are difficult to separate from their light exposure. Future research could use wearable technology to measure outdoor light exposure and sleep patterns precisely, helping clarify exactly how natural light guides the human biological clock under normal daily conditions.
The study, “The role of sunlight in sleep regulation: analysis of morning, evening and late exposure,” was authored by Luiz Antônio Alves de Menezes-Júnior, Thais da Silva Sabião, Júlia Cristina Cardoso Carraro, George Luiz Lins Machado-Coelho, and Adriana Lúcia Meireles.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/morning-sunlight-exposure-is-linked-to-earlier-sleep-schedules/
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #MorningSunlight #CircadianRhythms #SleepHealth #EarlyWakeTime #SunlightAndSleep #BiologicalClock #SleepQuality #MorningExposure #NaturalLightBenefits #SleepMidpoint
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Why Modern Life Is Ruining Your Sleep?😴😴
#sleephealth #circadianrhythm #bluelight #hormonehealth #sleepdeprivation #technologyimpact #modernlifestyle #outdoorhealth #naturallight #sleepbetter #healthyliving #sleepquality #lifehacking #biohacking -
DATE: August 15, 2026 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Insomnia drug lemborexant reduces the gap between perceived and actual sleep
A study of individuals suffering from insomnia in Japan found that a 12-week treatment with lemborexant improved both objective and subjective sleep parameters. It also reduced sleep-wake state discrepancy, potentially leading to improved daytime functioning. The paper was published in Psychopharmacology.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or obtaining sleep that feels sufficiently restorative, despite having an adequate opportunity to sleep. It can lead to daytime problems such as fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, reduced motivation, and poorer overall functioning.
Insomnia may develop in response to stress, illness, changes in routine, or other life events, but it can persist after the original trigger has disappeared. Worrying about sleep, spending excessive time in bed, irregular sleep schedules, and becoming highly alert to signs of sleeplessness can all help maintain the problem.
An important feature of insomnia is that people’s perception of their sleep does not always match what objective sleep measurements show. This phenomenon, known as sleep-wake discrepancy, occurs when a person feels that they were awake for much longer or slept much less than objective measurement tools indicate.
Study author Kent Naito and his colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of the FLUID study data, specifically evaluating the effects of lemborexant on treating sleep-wake state discrepancy in middle-aged and older individuals suffering from insomnia. Lemborexant is a prescription insomnia medication that promotes sleep by blocking orexin receptors, thereby reducing the brain’s wake-promoting signaling. Orexin receptors are receptors in the brain which are activated by specific biochemical compounds that regulate the sleep-wake cycle (among other things).
The FLUID study was a 12-week investigation of the effects of lemborexant involving 29 individuals suffering from insomnia. The participants’ average age was 58.5 years, and 15 of them were men.
Study participants underwent objective and subjective sleep assessments at the start of the study, and again 4 and 12 weeks after starting the lemborexant medication. They received a starting dose of 5mg of lemborexant after the initial assessments, and were allowed to increase the dose to 10mg if it was ineffective after 4 weeks.
Participants’ objective sleep parameters were assessed using Zmachine Insight+ (General Sleep, Cleveland, OH, USA), a single-channel EEG (a device that records electrical activity in the brain) that monitors sleep. Participants also kept electronic sleep diaries in which they reported different subjective sleep parameters.
Sleep-wake state discrepancy was calculated by comparing the objective sleep parameters and the participants’ subjective reports. Study participants also completed assessments of sleep quality (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and depressive symptoms (the Beck Depression Inventory-II).
Results showed that lemborexant treatments improved both objective and subjective sleep parameters 12 weeks after the start of treatments. The discrepancy between subjective and objective measures of how long it took participants to fall asleep was also reduced at week 12. However, the discrepancy between subjective and objective measures of time spent awake during the night did not change significantly among the baseline, 4-week, and 12-week marks.
Interestingly, participants who reported a greater reduction in daytime sleepiness tended to be the participants who also saw a greater reduction in the discrepancy between their subjective and objective total sleep time. However, the reduction in this discrepancy was not associated with improved subjective sleep quality.
“The present findings suggest that lemborexant treatment reduces sleep-wake state discrepancy, which may be associated with improved daytime functioning in patients with insomnia disorder,” the study authors concluded.
The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about the effects of lemborexant. However, it was conducted on a relatively small number of participants. Additionally, the study did not include a control group or control condition. Therefore, it remains unknown whether the observed effects are solely the results of the lemborexant treatment or if they represent natural developments (or developments caused by other factors) of the studied sleep quality indicators over time.
The paper, “Effect of lemborexant on sleep-wake state discrepancy in participants with insomnia disorder,” was authored by Kent Naito, Kunihiro Iwamoto, Seiko Miyata, Ippei Okada, Keita Kawai, Akihiro Fujimoto, Yuki Kogo, Daisuke Mori, Nao Matsuyama, Masahiko Ando, Norio Ozaki, and Masashi Ikeda.
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #Lemborexant #InsomniaTreatment #SleepDisorder #SleepWakeDiscrepancy #ObjectiveVsSubjectiveSleep #SleepQuality #DaytimeSleepiness #FLUIDStudy #OrexinReceptorAntagonist #Psychopharmacology
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DATE: August 12, 2026 at 02:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: New study reveals how running trains the body to handle psychological stress
A study examining the effects of exercise on mental health symptom severity found that these effects are mediated by reductions in perceived stress and repetitive negative thinking. In other words, exercise reduced perceived stress and repetitive negative thinking, and these led to the reduction of other mental health symptoms. The paper was published in Psychological Medicine.
Regular physical exercise is increasingly recognized as an important tool for supporting mental health as well as physical health. Research suggests that exercise can reduce symptoms of several mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia. Yet, researchers are still trying to understand exactly why moving the body can produce such broad psychological benefits.
One possibility is that exercise acts as a transdiagnostic treatment—meaning it influences processes that are shared across many different mental disorders rather than acting on symptoms unique to a particular diagnosis. These common processes include how strongly people perceive and experience stress, how much they become caught in repetitive negative thoughts, and how well they sleep.
Each of these factors can contribute to the development and persistence of psychological difficulties, and they can also reinforce one another over time. Exercise may help interrupt this cycle by improving the ability to cope with stress, reducing patterns of persistent negative thinking, and supporting better sleep.
Study author Anna Katharina Frei and her colleagues conducted a study in which they investigated how perceived stress, repetitive negative thinking, and sleep quality jointly mediate the effect of exercise on mental health symptom severity. They conducted a secondary analysis of the ImPuls trial data (using existing data from an already completed trial to answer this new question) that included 6- and 12-month follow-ups along with data collection at the start of the study.
The ImPuls trial was a study conducted across 10 study sites in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Participants were randomly assigned into two parallel groups – one receiving the ImPuls exercise treatment plus treatment as usual (for the disorder participants suffered from) and one receiving only treatment as usual, which acted as a control group.
Study participants were 400 physically inactive individuals suffering from major depressive disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, PTSD, or insomnia. Nearly 72% of them suffered from major depressive disorder. Participants’ average age was 42 years, and about 71% of them were women.
The ImPuls treatment consisted of supervised group meetings and 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise performed as outdoor running two to three times per week. The group meetings were focused on behavioral change techniques (e.g. goal setting, barrier management) delivered by qualified exercise therapists to increase motivation and commitment to maintaining an exercise routine.
The supervised portion of the treatment lasted for 4 weeks, after which participants were instructed to continue nonsupervised aerobic exercises for five more months, making it a 6-month intervention overall. The adherence to this regimen was monitored through phone calls with the exercise therapist. The treatment as usual condition (the control condition) included standard interventions typically provided in German outpatient settings, such as psychological treatments and medications.
Study authors assessed participants’ overall symptom severity (using the Global Severity Index, which measures combined distress from depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms), sleep quality (the German version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), perceived stress (the Perceived Stress Scale), and repetitive negative thinking (the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire).
Results showed that at the 6- and 12-month assessments, participants undergoing the ImPuls treatment showed significantly reduced repetitive negative thinking and perceived stress compared to the control group. However, contrary to initial expectations, the exercise intervention did not lead to improved sleep quality at either time point. The authors suggest this may be because while exercise is known to improve sleep for depression, its impact on the sleep of those with PTSD and anxiety disorders—who were also included in this mixed group—is historically less conclusive.
Study authors tested a statistical model proposing that reductions in repetitive negative thinking and perceived stress (caused by the ImPuls treatment) led to reductions in disorder symptoms. Results confirmed this relationship, showing that changes in perceived stress and repetitive negative thinking fully mediated the treatment’s effect on overall symptom severity.
“Our results suggest that changes in perceived stress and repetitive negative thinking may be key transdiagnostic mechanisms underlying the treatment effect of exercise on global symptom severity,” study authors concluded.
The researchers theorize that exercise reduces stress by safely mimicking physical stress responses (like a raised heart rate and cortisol release), effectively training the body to handle actual psychological stressors better over time. Furthermore, the physical exertion of exercise may act as a deliberate distraction, forcing the brain to shift focus away from symptoms and break the cycle of repetitive negative thinking.
The study contributes to the scientific understanding of the effects of exercise on mental health symptoms. However, the study participants were likely aware of what the study was investigating and what the expected results were, while outcome measures were based on self-reports. This could have created expectancy effects that may have affected the results.
The paper, “Changes in repetitive negative thinking and stress perception mediate treatment effects of a transdiagnostic exercise intervention,” was authored by Anna Katharina Frei, Thomas Studnitz, Britta Seiffer, Jana Welkerling, Johanna-Marie Zeibig, Eva Herzog, Mia Maria Günak, Thomas Ehring, Keisuke Takano, Tristan Nakagawa, Leonie Sundmacher, Sebastian Himmler, Stefan Peters, Anna Lena Flagmeier, Lena Zwanzleitner, Ander Ramos-Murguialday, Gorden Sudeck, and Sebastian Wolf.
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ExerciseMentalHealth #TransdiagnosticTreatment #StressReduction #RepetitiveNegativeThinking #SleepQuality #ImPulsTrial #MentalHealthResearch #DepressionAnxietyPTSD #RunningForWellness #PsychologicalMedicine
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DATE: August 4, 2026 at 07:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Death anxiety is linked to worse insomnia through more severe nightmares
URL: https://www.psypost.org/death-anxiety-is-linked-to-worse-insomnia-through-more-severe-nightmares/
A study in Australia found that individuals with more pronounced death anxiety (i.e., fear of death) tend to report stronger insomnia symptoms. This association did not depend on the attachment style of an individual. The paper was published in Death Studies.
Fear of death, often called death anxiety, is the emotional distress people experience when thinking about their own death, the death of loved ones, or the process of dying. It can involve fear of pain, loss of control, separation from others, nonexistence, or uncertainty about what happens after death.
Some degree of death anxiety is common and may motivate people to protect themselves, maintain relationships, and seek meaning in life. However, when it becomes intense or persistent, it can contribute to avoidance, excessive health concerns, panic, sleep difficulties, or reduced enjoyment of everyday life. The intensity of death anxiety differs across individuals and may be influenced by age, personality, health, religious beliefs, cultural background, and previous experiences with loss.
People often manage this fear through close relationships, personal achievements, spiritual beliefs, cultural traditions, or the feeling that their lives have purpose and lasting significance. Major illness, bereavement, disasters, and reminders of human vulnerability can bring thoughts of death closer to awareness and temporarily increase anxiety.
Study author Rachel E. Menzies and her colleagues examined the associations between death anxiety and insomnia. Furthermore, they wanted to explore whether this link depends on an individual’s attachment style and whether it is mediated by the severity of nightmares. They conducted an online survey.
Study participants were 515 adults recruited from the general public via media outlets, social media, and the study website. 70% of them were women. 89% were from Australia, and 85% identified as Caucasian. 40% of them had postgraduate degrees. Participants’ average age was 44 years.
The online survey participants completed contained assessments of death anxiety (the Death Anxiety Beliefs and Behaviors Scale), attachment style (the Adult Attachment Scale), anxiety (the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), insomnia (the Insomnia Severity Index), and the severity of nightmares (the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index).
As expected, the results indicated that individuals with higher death anxiety tended to report slightly more severe insomnia and nightmares. They also tended to report slightly more severe anxiety symptoms.
Study authors tested a statistical model proposing that higher levels of death anxiety were associated with more severe nightmares. These more severe nightmares, in turn, increased insomnia. Results supported this model, indicating that nightmare severity partially explains the link between death anxiety and insomnia.
Contrary to the study authors’ expectations, the link between death anxiety and insomnia was not moderated by attachment style.
“These findings suggest that death anxiety may play a greater role in insomnia than previously considered and may be an important intervention target,” study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between death anxiety and insomnia. However, it should be noted that the cross-sectional study design does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the findings. Additionally, all data came from self-reports, leaving room for reporting bias to have affected the results.
The paper, “Is a fear of death keeping you awake at night? Death anxiety predicts insomnia through nightmare severity,” was authored by Rachel E. Menzies, Jessie Brown, Mitchell Turner, David Cunnington, Malisa Burge, Ian C. Dunican, and Hailey Meaklim.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/death-anxiety-is-linked-to-worse-insomnia-through-more-severe-nightmares/
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #DeathAnxiety #Insomnia #Nightmares #SleepQuality #MentalHealthAwareness #SleepResearch #DeathStudies #AnxietySymptoms #NightmareSeverity #Wellbeing Research
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DATE: July 31, 2026 at 08:20AM
SOURCE: SCIENCE DAILY PSYCHOLOGY FEEDTITLE: Scientists discover why poor sleep may harm some brains more
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051529.htm
A gene involved in the brain’s overnight cleaning system may change how strongly poor sleep affects Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. The findings point toward more personalized prevention strategies based on both genetics and sleep habits.
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051529.htm
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #PoorSleep #BrainHealth #AlzheimersPrevention #SleepGenetics #GlymphaticSystem #Neuroscience #SleepAndMemory #PersonalizedMedicine #BrainResearch #SleepQuality
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DATE: July 26, 2026 at 06:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Long-term study reveals how childhood ADHD impacts adult mental health, cognition, and daily life
An 18-year follow-up study published in Psychiatry Research provides evidence that children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder tend to face broader challenges in adulthood across multiple areas of life compared to their peers. The study evaluated adults who were diagnosed in childhood alongside their non-ADHD siblings and an unrelated control group. The findings indicate that siblings of children with ADHD generally experience typical adult functioning, suggesting that many long-term difficulties are specific to the condition itself rather than shared family upbringing.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects roughly 5% to 7% of children worldwide. Although it was once considered a condition that individuals would outgrow, scientists now recognize that symptoms often persist into adulthood.
Longitudinal studies track the same individuals over extended periods, allowing scientists to observe how childhood health conditions unfold over time. Past research suggests that adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children may experience higher rates of mood disorders, lower educational attainment, and reduced job stability. However, many existing studies have focused primarily on clinical symptoms rather than examining broad daily functioning, such as physical health, sleep quality, and social relationships.
“As part of my doctoral research I had the opportunity to follow-up a longitudinal cohort of children with ADHD, their siblings, and controls,” explained lead author Noa van der Plas, a doctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. “This cohort had been followed throughout childhood, but their most recent comprehensive follow-up had taken place 10 years ago.”
“Now that they had reached adulthood, we wanted to know how these children had grown up,” van der Plas told PsyPost. “While ADHD is known to be related to difficulties and impairment in childhood, much less is known about the long-term development of ADHD. Our aim was to investigate a broad range of aspects of daily functioning in adulthood among individuals who had been diagnosed with ADHD in childhood.”
To better understand the origins of adult difficulties, researchers examine the biological family members of individuals with ADHD. Full siblings share approximately 50% of their inherited genetic material and typically grow up in similar home environments with the same parents. Evaluating siblings alongside individuals with ADHD allows researchers to separate genetic and environmental influences from risks directly linked to the diagnosis itself.
The authors evaluated data from an 18-year prospective study originating from a cohort in the Netherlands. The sample included 154 adults diagnosed with childhood ADHD (averaging 28.7 years of age, 68% male), 138 siblings without childhood ADHD (averaging 29.6 years of age, 35% male), and 129 controls without a family history of ADHD (averaging 28.2 years of age, 40% male). On average, researchers re-evaluated participants 17.6 years after their initial inclusion in the study during childhood.
To gather comprehensive data, participants completed self-reported online surveys and standardized clinical interviews over secure video calls. Participants also designated a close friend, partner, or parent to complete observer questionnaires to provide outside perspectives on daily behaviors. The evaluation assessed seven key areas of adult life: psychiatric status, behavioral and emotional problems, academic and professional history, daily adaptive functioning, neurocognitive performance, physical health, and healthcare usage.
Statistical analyses revealed that adults diagnosed with childhood ADHD performed worse than control participants on over 60% of the measured outcomes. In terms of psychiatric status, 45% of participants in the childhood ADHD group met full diagnostic criteria for adult ADHD at follow-up. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 18% of adults with childhood ADHD, compared to 8% of controls and 6% of siblings.
“Children with ADHD are at an increased risk of challenges in adult functioning, including difficulties related to mental health, social functioning, and daily functioning,” van der Plas noted. “Notably, the risk of having a major depressive disorder in adulthood was greater for adults with childhood ADHD.”
Behavioral assessments showed that adults who had childhood ADHD reported higher levels of externalizing problems, which involve outward-directed difficulties like impulsive or aggressive actions. They also reported higher levels of autistic traits, mood dysregulation, physical aggression, and social aggression compared to control participants. In educational domains, individuals with childhood ADHD attained lower average levels of formal education and performed lower on neurocognitive measures of working memory and verbal fluency.
In measures of adaptive functioning and physical health, adults with childhood ADHD reported higher perceived stress and lower emotional well-being. They also demonstrated higher average body mass index values, worse sleep quality, and lower adherence to dietary guidelines established by national nutrition centers. Additionally, adults in the childhood ADHD group were significantly more likely to be currently prescribed ADHD medication compared to both siblings and control participants.
The sibling group demonstrated adult functioning that was largely comparable to the control group across most measures. “In childhood the siblings of the children with ADHD are at an increased risk of ADHD-related traits and show an intermediate neurocognitive profile compared to controls,” van der Plas explained. “Based on those findings we expected siblings to also show more difficulties in adult functioning. However, we found few differences between siblings and controls in adulthood.”
Siblings showed slightly elevated levels of self-reported ADHD traits and autistic traits, as well as slightly higher body mass index values compared to controls, but lacked major psychiatric or academic setbacks. “Finally, although the siblings of children with ADHD share half of their genetic material as well as part of their childhood environment, these siblings generally did not have an increased risk of problems in adulthood,” van der Plas said.
When comparing individuals whose ADHD persisted into adulthood against those whose condition remitted, specific patterns emerged. The persistent ADHD group displayed the highest risks for major depressive disorder, internalizing problems, severe stress, and poor sleep quality. However, adults whose childhood ADHD had remitted still showed lower educational attainment and lower cognitive scores compared to control participants, suggesting long-lasting impacts on learning.
The researchers emphasized that despite overall group differences, there is substantial diversity in how adults with childhood ADHD fare. “However, there is variability in the functioning of adults with childhood ADHD, and the majority of adults with childhood ADHD show functioning comparable to controls,” van der Plas told PsyPost. “There seems to be a subset of adults with childhood ADHD particularly experiencing impairment, which seems to be partly linked to a continued ADHD diagnosis.”
The author highlighted a key misinterpretation that she hopes the public will avoid when viewing the research. “Although, on average, adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in functioning, most are functioning comparably to individuals without ADHD,” van der Plas added.
Several limitations should be considered when evaluating these findings. The study sample was composed exclusively of individuals of Caucasian descent living in the Netherlands, which limits how well the conclusions apply to more diverse racial or cultural populations. Selective participant drop-out occurred over the 18-year period, as only a portion of the original childhood cohort was successfully re-evaluated.
The retained childhood ADHD group had slightly higher childhood symptom severity than those who dropped out, meaning the results may reflect outcomes for individuals with somewhat more severe early symptoms. Additionally, cognitive testing was conducted remotely over video calls rather than in a standardized physical laboratory, which might introduce minor variations in home testing environments.
“In other work of my doctoral research we additionally looked at specific medication outcomes, sex and gender differences in the long-term outcomes of childhood ADHD, the long-term outcomes of stimulant treatment in childhood, and attempted to identify predictors for long-term outcomes,” van der Plas said regarding her broader research goals. “Future research should investigate the risk and protective factors that are related to the differences in functioning in adults with childhood ADHD and identify which individuals are most at risk,” van der Plas concluded. “This knowledge can help improve prevention or intervention strategies.”
The study, “Growing up with ADHD: findings from an 18-year longitudinal follow-up study of adults with childhood ADHD, their siblings, and controls,” was authored by Noa E. van der Plas, Siri D.S. Noordermeer, Barbara Franke, Catharina A. Hartman, Pieter J. Hoekstra, Nanda N.J. Rommelse, Emma Sprooten, Marjolein Luman, and Jaap Oosterlaan.
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #ADHDadulthood #LongTermADHD #ChildhoodADHD #ADHDResearch #MentalHealthAwareness #NeurodevelopmentalDisorder #ADHDSymptoms #EducationalImpact #SleepQuality #DailyFunctioning
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#SaunaBenefits #WellnessJourney #HeartHealth #CognitiveWellness #StressRelief #PainManagement #SleepQuality #Biohacking #HealthyLiving #EmotionalWellbeing #WellnessCommunity #WellnessGoals #WellnessWarrior #WellnessLifestyle #HealthyAging https://mastodon.social/@biohackingpathway/116835229770235276 -
Pro Tip: Most people grab coffee right out of habit the moment they wake up. Break that autopilot. That delayed first cup will hit much harder and last longer.
What to expect: Sharper focus in the morning without the 10 AM crash. Better sleep within a week. You'll wonder why you didn't try this sooner.
#CaffeineHack #Biohacking #MorningRoutine #PeakPerformance #ProductivityTips #Focus #Wellness #Energy #Optimization #SleepQuality (2/2)
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What you'll notice:
You'll fall asleep faster, get more deep sleep, and actually feel recovered when you wake up. It's a small change that can make a real difference in your performance.
#SleepBiohacking #Optimization #PeakPerformance #SleepQuality #Recovery #TemperatureDrop #TimeManagement #Focus #Energy #SleepScience (3/3)
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For the first 5 days, jot down your energy levels. You'll start noticing your own rhythm. Some people need the full 90 minutes. Some can go at 60. The point is to stop guessing.
What changes: steadier afternoon energy, no brutal 3 PM wall, and you'll probably sleep noticeably better within a week.
#caffeinehack #biohacking #productivity #CortisolTiming #PeakPerformance #Energy #CircadianRhythm #Optimization #SleepQuality #Wellbeing (3/3)
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Try this for a few nights. You might fall asleep faster and wake up less tired.
#Biohacking #SleepOptimization #Thermoregulation #Productivity #BedtimeRoutine #SleepQuality #Wellness #CircadianRhythm #Recovery #Energy (2/2)
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Why Modern Life Is Ruining Your Sleep?😴😴
#sleephealth #circadianrhythm #bluelight #hormonehealth #sleepdeprivation #technologyimpact #modernlifestyle #outdoorhealth #naturallight #sleepbetter #healthyliving #sleepquality #lifehacking #biohacking -
Fitness coach with 18 years of experience shares 6 hacks to improve quality of sleep: ‘Stop staring into your phone at…’
If falling asleep has started to feel like a nightly battle, you’re not alone. For many people, lying…
#NewsBeep #News #Fitness #AU #Australia #circadianrhythm #coolertemperature #exposuretosunlight #Health #lifestyletweaks #melatoninproduction #sleepquality
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/530460/ -
Why do we wake up shortly before our alarm goes off? It’s not by chance
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Taking pre-workout supplements regularly? Doctor explains how they affect your heart, trigger anxiety and disrupt sleep
That explosive energy boost before a workout can make you feel u…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Nutrition #anxiety #caffeine #cardiovascularfunction #cardiovascularhealth #nutrition #pre-workoutsupplements #sleepquality
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2429900/taking-pre-workout-supplements-regularly-doctor-explains-how-they-affect-your-heart-trigger-anxiety-and-disrupt-sleep/ -
I sleep better. I walk lighter. My brain feels cleaner.
#sleepquality #healthprogress #plantbased #simpleliving #wellness -
😴 Scientists from our University and Haute École d'Ingénierie et de Gestion du Canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD), working in partnership with the City of Yverdon-les-Bains, have analyzed the sleep quality of a sample of the city’s residents. They discovered that sleep disorders are much more common there than elsewhere in the country. Additional study participants in the coming years will flesh out these findings.
Find our more: https://go.epfl.ch/673907
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Unlocking the Secrets to Better Sleep: The Science Behind Sleep Quality
#SleepQuality #CaffeineEffects #PhysicalActivity #WellnessJourney #EmotionalHealth #GlobalPosturalReeducation #BreathingTechniques #MindBodyConnection #HealthyHabits #BetterSleep #CircadianRhythm #WellBeing #SelfCareTips #MentalHealthAwareness #SleepScience
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Unlocking the Body-Mind Connection: The Science of Relaxation and Perception
#BodyMindConnection #Relaxation #CognitiveFunction #OrthostaticLoad #SleepQuality #GlymphaticSystem #EmotionalWellbeing #BreathingTechniques #Proprioception #Mindfulness #CognitiveProcesses #HealthAndWellness #Thrive #SelfCare #MindBodyBalance
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#SleepHygiene can significantly improve #SleepQuality
1. Limiting screen time before bed
2. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
3. Avoiding caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime
4. Managing stress through mindfulness, therapy, or relaxation techniques -
New study links poor sleep quality to cannabis-related memory issues https://www.psypost.org/new-study-links-poor-sleep-quality-to-cannabis-related-memory-issues/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Cannabis #SleepQuality #MemoryLoss #CognitiveHealth #MentalHealth
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Cold-water immersion found to boost cognitive function and reduce sleep disturbances https://www.psypost.org/cold-water-immersion-found-to-boost-cognitive-function-and-reduce-sleep-disturbances/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #ColdWaterImmersion #CognitiveFunction #MentalHealth #SleepQuality #WellBeing
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Avoid the caffeine trap! Find out how to set a coffee curfew and enjoy better sleep every night
Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/AUEHm
#SleepQuality #SleepCycle #HealthTips #Sleep #Coffee #BetterSleep #CoffeeLovers #CBT #MentalHealth
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Humans evolved to share beds – how your sleeping companions may affect you now https://www.psypost.org/humans-evolved-to-share-beds-how-your-sleeping-companions-may-affect-you-now/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #EvolutionaryPsychology #CoSleeping #SleepQuality #FamilyBonding #CulturalNorms
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Hyperarousal peaks in the morning for insomniacs https://www.psypost.org/hyperarousal-peaks-in-the-morning-for-insomniacs/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #insomnia #hyperarousal #sleepquality #morningpeaks #daytimehyperarousal
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The Insomnia Solution: Natural Strategies for Better Sleep
https://econopass.com/health-and-fitness/holistic-wellbeing/sleep-strategies/insomnia-solution-natural-strategies-for-better-sleep
In the stillness of the night, as the world slumbers peacefully, you find yourself wide awake, mind racing with a million thoughts. You toss and turn, desperate for the sweet embrace of slumber, but it eludes you hour after restless hour.
#insomnia #holisticsleep #naturalremedies #sleephygiene #mindfulness #relaxation #sleephealth #wellbeing #sleepquality #restfulnights