Abstract

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2023), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has two primary presentations: an ongoing pattern of inattention or a hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, or both. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition with genetic factors but can be intensified by environmental influences. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in adolescence (Faraone et al., 2022). Sleep problems in youth with ADHD are reported to be in the range of 25% to 55% (Stein et al., 2022). Due to ADHD’s complexity, the symptoms can be misunderstood or misinterpreted by the public. It is often not diagnosed before adolescence, families can often wrongly consider their children as "hyperactive", instead of their symptom being a form of hyperactivity from ADHD. However, only a small fraction of neurodivergence in adolescents are diagnosed in the United States. Currently, in the United States, about 6.1 million adolescents have been diagnosed with ADHD in the past two decades (Holland, 2018). Even with extensive data, there are still gaps regarding accurate diagnosis, including racial disparities, sleep disturbances, and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, the lack of ADHD diagnoses in adolescents can cause profound challenges in various areas of their everyday lives. For instance, Stein et al. (2022) have been seeing an increase in symptoms of insufficient sleep, as well as sleep disorders, among ADHD individuals. ADHD can contribute to the development of other sleep disorders in adolescents and young adults. Research suggests that children with ADHD are more prone to developing sleep problems than their neurotypical counterparts (Holland, 2018). Moderate to severe sleep problems occur at least once a week in 19.3% of the clinic-referred children with ADHD, 13.3% of the psychiatric controls (children taking stimulants), and 6.2% of the pediatric controls (children who are not taking stimulants) according to parents (Stein et al., 2022). ADHD is associated with lower sleep duration and a higher incidence of sleep disorders in adolescents and young adults, negatively impacting their school, work, and personal lives in more ways than one. This paper will examine the importance of sleep in individuals with ADHD, including exploring how cultural and socioeconomic factors shape sleep and other biological functions. The data collected will inform lifestyle changes for physical and mental health for those with ADHD, and also help shape approaches to sleep and health for others in the neurodivergent and the BIPOC communities.

How to Cite:

Johnson, F., (2024) “Heal-Thy Brain: The Intersectionality of Race, Sleep, and Socioeconomic factors in ADHD”, Arizona Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 10(1), 23-25.