Latest news with #AlisonBentley
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
ADHD vs sleep deprivation: what your teen really is struggling with
The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have become a popular conversation topic on the internet. While this may be an attempt at normalising conversations concerning mental health, it can often lead to misdiagnosis — something that has been considered by medical doctor Alison Bentley. Speaking recently at the Education Incorporated Private School, Bentley said it's important to note sleep history, especially with teens. Here are three important factors to consider when it comes to differentiating between ADHD and a lack of sleep. Bringing sleep into the ADHD conversation Bentley cautioned against the widespread tendency to overlook sleep problems in teens presenting with ADHD-like symptoms. 'We have to ask whether a teenager is inattentive or simply sleep-deprived,' she said. 'It's not uncommon for teens to be medicated without a proper sleep history being taken.' She explained that delayed sleep phase syndrome, which is a biological shift in teenagers' internal clocks, causes adolescents to become naturally sleepy much later than expected — often leading to sleep deprivation when forced to wake early for school. 'These children aren't lazy or defiant — they're on London time, not South African time,' noted principal Gershom Aitchison. 'If we continue to ignore their biology, we're setting them up for failure.' Bentley echoed this sentiment. 'Sleep is a passive activity that requires letting go — and that's very difficult when you're anxious or when your natural rhythm is out of sync with your schedule. We need to stop treating sleep as optional or secondary. The other two-thirds of your life depend on what happens in that one-third of sleep.' Other factors affecting teens' sleep Teens' sleep can also be compromised by caffeine abuse, overuse of screens and the pressures of school performance. Amy Dewes-Goulborn, a psychologist working in a high school environment, expressed concern about the growing number of teenagers relying on energy drinks and late-night device use — behaviours that further disrupt sleep and can be misinterpreted as psychiatric conditions. Practical insights were shared from the classroom, too. Aitchison reflected on the success of school camps, where increased physical activity and structured routines reduced students' reliance on sleep medication. 'We also allow students to eat when they're hungry at school,' he said. 'Their digestive systems are on a delayed wake-up, just like their brains — so we listen to the body.' Parental involvement Bentley emphasised the need for education — not just for teenagers, but for their parents and the healthcare system. 'No child should be medicated for ADHD without a thorough conversation about their sleep. And parents need support to understand that setting boundaries around bedtime isn't just discipline — it's an act of care.' She also highlighted the importance of giving teenagers agency. 'Teens respond when we ask, 'Does this make sense to you?' or 'Can you follow this plan?' They need knowledge, and they need to feel seen. When we hand them some control, their anxiety drops — and so does the need for intervention.' The speakers agreed that there is a need for more honest conversations, more informed medical referrals, and for sleep to be treated not as a luxury but as a cornerstone of wellbeing. 'We need to stop medicating away symptoms without asking why they're there. If we get sleep right, we change everything — from mood and focus to health and academic success,' concluded Bentley.
The South African
29-04-2025
- Health
- The South African
Half of SA's workforce sleep-deprived, study reveals
Research suggests that workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is no longer just a personal health concern. it's a rising occupational issue with serious economic consequences. Recent estimates indicate that nearly 50% of employees may be battling fatigue due to poor sleep. Dr Alison Bentley, a leading sleep expert and Restonic SA consultant, warns that this growing trend of workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is quietly undermining productivity across various sectors. Sleep is foundational to cognitive performance, memory, decision-making, and even emotional regulation,' she explains. When workers are consistently sleep-deprived, it affects the entire organisation.' Workplace fatigue doesn't just result in yawns and slower mornings. It can lead to costly errors, presenteeism, poor judgment, and safety hazards. Dr Bentley references global modelling data, which estimates that sleep deprivation may cost South Africa over R40 billion annually. While this data is not specific to South Africa alone, it paints a startling picture of the economic toll sleep-related issues may have. Industries like healthcare, transport, and manufacturing are particularly at risk, where sleep-related lapses could cause not only productivity loss but also life-threatening errors. Chronic sleep deprivation has also been linked to increased sick leave, burnout, and high staff turnover, all of which further drain company resources. Unfortunately, many local workplaces still dismiss poor sleep as a personal problem. However, fatigue-related underperformance is often systemic and fuelled by stress, long hours, screen overuse, and a lack of work-life boundaries. Restonic SA believes it's time for employers to acknowledge sleep as a key pillar of occupational health. Monique van der Walt, head of marketing at Restonic SA, says, 'Employers are starting to understand that healthy, well-rested employees are more productive and engaged.' Workplace sleep deprivation in South Africa is often overlooked, despite evidence suggesting it affects a significant portion of the working population. To better understand the scale of the problem, some companies have begun using sleep screenings to identify common disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnoea, an issue estimated to affect up to 41% of South African adults aged 39 to 69, according to global modelling. While not a substitute for medical care, these initiatives aim to raise awareness and encourage early intervention. As sleep expert Van der Walt notes, 'It's not about taking on the role of a doctor. It's about starting conversations and offering support where it matters.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
