I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult although I’ve demonstrated clear symptoms since early childhood. I manage pretty well with medication.

I tend to “fidget” a lot throughout the day with involuntary movements that tend to vary periodically for reasons that I’ve never understand. Sometimes it’s popping my ears or clenching my jaw. Sometimes it’s “popping” my toes, bouncing my leg, or snapping my fingers, etc.

Recently, my wife told me something that I did not know. Apparently I do the same sort of involuntary movements at night to the point that it wakes me up. She said it’s been going on for years. I honestly had no idea. It kind of fits the description of “Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.” There are some theories that “PLMD” can be a comorbidity with ADHD although the research on this is pretty sparse.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing and are there any viable treatment options?

  • RadicalEagle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    3 months ago

    I’ve never been diagnosed with PLMD, but it’s something I’ve experienced. My symptoms seem to be tied to stress. Managing my stress more effectively seems to help quite a bit.

  • drewaustinEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    I’ve seen suggestions of a link between ADHD and restless leg syndrome in the past, but that was many years ago. Checking Wikipedia’s RLS page now it states up to 44% of people with ADHD also have RLS.

    I did have issues with it as a child, but was able to get it under control in early adulthood. Although around the same period I also started on Strattera and anti-anxiety medications - so maybe that helped sort it out.

    I noticed it says placebos to be very effective, maybe you can get some of those OTC 😆