The ADHD Sleep Book. Why Your Brain Won't Switch Off – and What Will Help

'The ADHD Sleep Book combines evidence-based explanations of sleep disorders with real, individual and practical tools to break the exhaustion cycle' - Dr Alex Conner, Co-host of The ADHD Adults Podcast. For far too long, we have overlooked one of the most important parts of understanding ADHD: sleep. If you're wondering: Why am I always exhausted with ADHD? Why doesn't normal sleep advice work for neurodivergent minds? Can improving sleep help with ADHD symptoms? This book is for you.
For years, ADHD has been understood through the lens of attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. But one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle is sleep. Many people know ADHD can affect focus, emotions and motivation. Fewer realise that disrupted sleep can influence all of these - and that ADHD itself is closely linked with differences in body clock, dopamine regulation and the brain's natural sleep-wake rhythms.
In The ADHD Sleep Book, UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and sleep specialist Heather Darwall-Smith explores the surprising connection between ADHD and sleep, helping you understand why exhaustion, burnout, overwhelm and difficulties with daily routines are often more closely connected than you might think. Drawing on the latest research, lived experience and compassionate clinical practice, you'll discover: Why insomnia and other sleep difficulties are so common in ADHD How ADHD affects your body clock, motivation and energy Why conventional sleep advice often doesn't work for neurodivergent brains Practical ways to build sleep habits that work with your ADHD brain and natural rhythms How better understanding sleep can help reduce shame, self-blame and overwhelm Rather than forcing yourself into rigid schedules that don't fit, The ADHD Sleep Book helps you understand the biology behind your experiences, showing you how to work with your natural rhythms, reduce sleep anxiety and build sustainable habits for better rest.
Whether you're newly diagnosed with ADHD, exploring neurodivergence, or supporting someone with ADHD, this evidence-based guide will help you understand your ADHD with greater compassion, while giving you practical strategies to achieve better sleep and feel more rested every day.