Sleepwalking, Tea-Making, and Cat Wrangling: My ADHD Diagnosis Was in My Dreams (literally!)
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with sleep. Or rather, sleep has had a complicated relationship with me. I don’t just sleep — I perform. I have walked, talked, argued, laughed, and even performed domestic duties, all while completely unconscious. I once woke up to find that I had made a full cup of tea in the middle of the night. The worst part? I don’t even like tea.
Then there was the time my cat mysteriously ended up outside overnight. No one let him out. Well, no one conscious, anyway.
For years, I chalked this up to being “a little quirky.” Maybe I had a super-active imagination that just refused to shut off at night. Maybe my dream self was just far more productive than my awake self. Either way, it was weird, but not weird enough for me to think something was wrong. (Although my son’s girlfriend thought I may be possessed one night when she was trying to talk to me and I, eyes wide open, was not consciously aware).
The Big ADHD Revelation
Fast-forward to my late 40s, and suddenly, the lights came on (metaphorically, because actual lights would just keep me up all night). After years of struggling with distractibility, impulsivity, and an inability to focus on things that didn’t set my soul on fire, I finally got diagnosed with ADHD. And guess what? That whole nighttime adventure series I had been starring in my entire life? That was a red flag. Apparently, sleep disturbances — like sleepwalking, talking, or even full-on chore-doing — are quite common in people with ADHD. Who knew? (Not me, obviously. I was too busy dream-baking scones.)
Turns out, ADHD doesn’t just make your brain a hyperactive mess during the day — it likes to party all night, too. Difficulty regulating sleep cycles, restless legs, waking up feeling like you ran a marathon in your dreams (because you probably did)? All textbook ADHD stuff. So if you’re out here wrestling your blankets like they owe you money, welcome to the club!
So…What Now?
Now that I knew my sleep chaos had a root cause, I had to figure out how to actually get some rest (without taking the cat on midnight adventures). I wasn’t interested in prescription sleep meds, not to mention it wasn’t advised due to the very real possibility of me actually going on road trips in my sleep— I wanted natural, effective solutions. Here’s what worked for me:
1. Magnesium: The Chill Pill You Need
Magnesium is like the Zen master of minerals. It helps calm the nervous system, reduces muscle tension, and improves sleep quality. I started taking Moon Juice Magnesi-Om, and wow — who knew I could sleep without mentally redecorating my entire house at 2 AM?
2. Melatonin: But Not Too Much!
Melatonin is great in small doses. The trick is not to overdo it (we’re not trying to tranquilize a rhino here). Ritual Sleep BioSeries makes a time-release version that keeps you asleep without making you feel like a hibernating bear the next morning.
3. L-Theanine & GABA: The Ultimate Relaxation Combo
L-Theanine (found in green tea, ironically) and GABA help calm the racing ADHD brain. I started taking NOW Supplements Sleep Regimen 3-in-1, which has both, and it helped dial down the nighttime chaos.
4. The ADHD Sleep Routine (AKA, My Brain Needs Rules)
- No caffeine after 2 PM. (This one hurt, but it had to be done.)
- Screens off at least an hour before bed. (Blue light tells your brain it’s party time. Don’t let it.)
- Weighted blanket = best decision ever. (Feels like a hug but without the need for small talk.)
- Consistent sleep schedule. (Yes, even on weekends. My brain was mad about this at first, but it adjusted.)
- Journal before bed. (Because my brain needs somewhere to dump all its thoughts besides my dreams.)
5. Diet Tweaks for Better Sleep
- More protein, less sugar: Keeps blood sugar stable, which means fewer 3 AM wake-ups.
- Bananas before bed: They have magnesium and potassium, which help muscles relax.
- Chamomile or valerian root tea: If I’m going to be making tea in my sleep, I might as well drink something that helps.
Final Thoughts: My Cat Deserves a Good Night’s Sleep, Too
Since implementing these changes, my sleepwalking adventures have dramatically decreased. My cat is now sleeping peacefully indoors, and my kitchen remains untouched in the middle of the night. I still talk in my sleep (some things never change), but at least now, my unconscious self isn’t running errands at 3 AM.
If you’ve been dealing with similar nighttime shenanigans, don’t just shrug it off as a weird quirk. ADHD has a funny way of showing up in places you wouldn’t expect — like your dreams. But with a little nutritional support, a solid sleep routine, and a lot less caffeine, you can finally get the rest you deserve. And who knows? Maybe one day, my dream self will finally learn to make coffee instead.
Sweet dreams!
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