Dr Safina Naaz
Dr. Safina Naaz is a visionary clinical psychologist, child psychologist, and holistic leader committed to transforming the landscape of mental health and wellness. With extensive experience in psychotherapy, she combines evidence-based therapeutic approaches with innovative techniques to address a wide range of mental health challenges.
Dr. Safina is the Clinical Director at Hear and Heal, a pioneering mental health and wellness clinic where she oversees holistic programs designed to empower individuals and families. She is renowned for her expertise in child psychology, helping young minds overcome challenges such as academic stress, bullying, and behavioral issues.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Safina is an NLP Master Practitioner and life coach, specializing in guiding early-career psychologists through skill-building and professional growth. She has created impactful training programs, such as the "Mastering Therapy and Business Skills for Early-Career Psychologists," which bridges the gap between therapeutic knowledge and business acumen.
Her commitment to excellence extends to her vision of establishing a luxurious, state-of-the-art mental health sanctuary that redefines mental wellness as a celebrated and integral part of a fulfilling life. Dr. Safina is a thought leader and advocate for breaking mental health stigma, combining cultural sensitivity with innovative treatments like neurofeedback and virtual reality therapies.
With a deep passion for her field, Dr. Safina Naaz continues to inspire change, empower clients, and elevate the standard of mental health care globally.
Neurocognitive Effects of Sleep Apnea in Adults with ADHD: A Comprehensive Review
This review outlines the neurocognitive effects of untreated sleep apnea in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and discusses practical approaches to integrated diagnosis and treatment. The neurodevelopmental disorder of ADHD, characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, often occurs comorbidly with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea increases neurocognitive impairments in ADHD, especially in the domains of executive functioning, memory, and daytime alertness. The resultant overlapping symptoms further create diagnostic challenges and complicate treatment strategies.
Results were based on a systematic review of studies between 2000 and 2023 that indicated the comorbidity of ADHD with untreated sleep apnea to be associated with additive cognitive disturbances. More specifically, sleep apnea amplified impairments in planning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, while ADHD had a preferential association with disturbances in sustained attention and impulse control. Moreover, OSA-induced daytime somnolence contributes to an increase in the severity of symptoms in the ADHD patients themselves—a vicious circle that results in an increased neuropsychological burden.
The discussion now addresses what the implications of these findings are for practice, particularly in the formulation of integrated diagnostic and treatment strategies. Regarding this, the authors argue that screening for sleep apnea should be considered an important part of comprehensive care in adults with a diagnosis of ADHD. CPAP therapy, when combined with ADHD treatments like methylphenidate or behavioral treatments such as CBT, has shown improved cognitive and functional outcomes. These results highlight the need for an individualized approach that can treat both conditions together.
This paper thus points out to practitioners the importance of recognizing and treating the interaction of sleep disorders and ADHD. It further discusses challenges related to the implementation of CPAP adherence and integration of behavioral therapies for optimal CPAP adherence. Finally, it makes recommendations for future research: longitudinal studies that better describe the course of comorbid ADHD and sleep apnea, and the effectiveness of combined treatments.
This submission provides a framework in which service delivery and the improvement of care for adults with comorbid ADHD and sleep apnea are advanced, putting into focus the importance of early diagnosis and an interdisciplinary approach as mitigating factors in the associated neurocognitive impairments.
Key Words: ADHD, sleep apnea, cognitive deficits, executive functioning, daytime somnolence, integrated treatment.
Practical Implications: These emerging lessons from this study may help clinicians make diagnostic protocols and therapeutic interventions quite sensitive to the unique challenges being posed by ADHD with sleep apnea.
References:
1. Surman, C. B., Thomas, R. J., & Aleardi, M. (2009). Adults with ADHD and sleep complaints: A pilot study identifying sleep-disordered breathing using polysomnography and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(6), 630-636. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708320401
2. Gottlieb, D. J., Punjabi, N. M., Newman, A. B., Resnick, H. E., Redline, S., Baldwin, C. M., & Nieto, F. J. (2018). Association of sleep time with diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Archives of Internal Medicine, 165(8), 863-867. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.165.8.863
3. Cortese, S., Faraone, S. V., Konofal, E., & Lecendreux, M. (2013). Sleep in children with ADHD: Meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(9), 894-908. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181ac09c9
4. Rosenzweig, I., Glasser, M., Polsek, D., Leschziner, G. D., Williams, S. C., & Morrell, M. J. (2016). Sleep apnoea and the brain: A complex relationship. The Lancet Resp