Apps for ADHD
A feature of ADHD that many folks struggle with is time blindness. Time blindness is the inability to properly perceive the passage of time. This means that someone with ADHD may underestimate how long tasks take, which impact their planning and often results in chronic lateness. This can be misinterpreted as a disregard for others or a lack of caring.
I bring up time blindness, because this is something I struggle with. Due to this struggle, I have come to realize that I’m not sure how much I am working. I know the amount of time I spend with my clients and supervisees, but I’m not sure how much time I spend completing all the other necessary tasks that a small business requires. With this realization, I have found myself looking for an app where I can easily track how long I’m spending time in different aspects of my work. I haven’t found the perfect app for this just yet, but in my search, I have been reminded of some apps I already use or that folks I know with ADHD have said are helpful. They are helpful for various aspects of life, not just time tracking. Also, it should be noted that the list I am providing below is not all apps for ADHD nor is it an endorsement for these apps, just some apps to consider and/or try and see if they help you!
Finch - This app gives you a virtual pet to care for as you create healthy habits for yourself. Each time you complete a daily care activity (that you created), you are able to care for your virtual pet. It may sound silly, but MANY adults have benefited from Finch - turns out we all like to help a lil guy.
Focus Friend - Instead of a virtual pet, this app gives you a bean character to care for. When you are trying to focus, this app can help you from being distracted by your phone. The longer you stay off your phone, the more you are able to care for your bean!
Remember the Milk - This app sends you reminders for tasks you need to do. This can help with remembering things you need to do, when you need to do them, without checking your to-do list constantly.
Sweepy - Sweepy helps you to create a list of household maintenance activities and will send reminders to you and those in your household, to let you know it’s time to sweep, check your smoke alarm, etc.
Forest - Forest app works similarly to Focus Friend, but instead of caring for a bean, you are building a forest.
Habitica - This app works like Finch, by gameifying your daily tasks. Each task is turned into a quest to complete.
Bearable - This is a mood/physical health tracking app. When you track your emotional and physical health, this can help you identify patterns in your life that increase/decrease the impact of your ADHD symptoms.
Tiny Decisions - Decision fatigue is real. This app helps you to make inconsequential decisions by randomly selecting from the options you input. Which of my four favorite restaurants should I go to? Which book off my endless to-read list should I start?
Libby - Speaking of reading, Libby is super helpful! You connect your library card to the app and then have access to many ebooks and audiobooks. When it can be hard to sit still and concentrate, you can try the audiobook instead! Or listening to the audiobook can be helpful while you clean the house!
So there is a bit of a starting point. There are so many more apps that I didn’t list, so if none of these work for your needs, you still might find something helpful out there!
As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.
