People who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty keeping themselves organized. The symptoms of adult ADHD makes it very difficult to concentrate on what you are currently doing. These symptoms also make it very hard to stay organized.
“I see mental health apps being very useful for people who cannot get to sessions as often as they would like, but I do not view them as a substitute for therapy,” –Tanisha Ranger, PsyD
Fortunately, the introduction of modern devices like electronic organizers and smartphones has made the management of time a lot less difficult for individuals suffering from adult ADHD. Below are eight gadgets and tools that can help people with adult ADHD keep themselves organized.
High-Tech Watch
A problem that people who have ADHD often experience is they do not have access to an internal clock. Because of this, they usually find it hard to monitor and estimate how long a task takes. High-tech watches that have multiple timers allow people suffering from ADHD to keep track of each task they are doing separately.
A watch from Watchminder has sixty-five pre-installed messages such as be positive, relax, or take medicine. It also vibrates discreetly rather than beeping loudly, allowing it to be worn at the office without any danger of bothering anyone else.
Mobile Alarm Clock
An essential element of time management is going to sleep on time. That is because “Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you’re sleeping, your brain processes complex stimuli.” Staci Lee Schnell, MS, CS, LMFT said. Going to sleep on time means you wake up on time as well. But many people who have ADHD have a difficult time going to sleep at night. This means they have a hard time getting up on time in the morning.
Traditional bedside alarm clocks usually do not help you get up because you can turn it off with one simple movement of your arm. Clocks that move, however, requires you to get up to turn them off. A clock named Clocky jumps off the bedside table and moves around the room requiring you to get out of bed and chase after it to turn it off.
Key Finder
Key finders are connected to your key chain and assist you in finding your keys when you misplace them. One type of key finder is the key clapper. It beeps when it hears you clapping your hands. Another type is the wireless key finder which beeps when you press a button.
Electronic Organizer
Electronic organizers like the Palm Pilot allow the person suffering from ADHD to make appointments, set reminders, and take notes while on the go. This will enable you to keep yourself organized even if you are away from your computer. Electronic organizers can crash though. Because of this, it is advisable to keep a hard copy of your appointments and notes.
Smartphone
Smartphones, like an iPhone or an Android phone, contain in one mobile device several functions that people suffering from adult ADHD will find useful, such as an electronic organizer, an alarm clock, and a watch. Smartphones can be a source of distraction, though. They should be used wisely.
Shower Clock
People suffering from adult ADHD tend to lose track of time while they are taking a shower. It is recommended that a waterproof clock be placed in the bath. The waterproof clock works better than an alarm clock because you can see time pass by as you shower.
Smartpen
As people suffering from adult ADHD try to sleep, many thoughts tend to race through their minds. This ADHD symptom can be eased by writing down those thoughts. A pen with a built-in light can be handy for writing down your thoughts at night.
Voice Recorder
A digital voice recorder allows you to record your reminders, your meetings, and your thoughts. You may also use speech recognition software to convert your words into text on the computer.
Jyothsna Bhat, PsyD used to say, “It has been found that prolonged and unmonitored technology usage can impact children on the cognitive, psychosocial, and psychological levels.” Therefore, we all should watch out.