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Has anyone got an app to help (adult) with ADHD?

14 replies

PollyOrange · 02/01/2024 20:49

There was an ad on a social media site that had a quiz and I ticked all the boxes and would like to use an app or something to help me organise myself, my thoughts , my house etc
Of course it's not free but I thought I'll end up in a rabbit hole of options and then (and why I need the app is this) I'd probably not get one and just stay as I am 😩. Has anyone used an app specially for adhd as an adult that has helped ?
This is not a reverse advert as I've now lost the link anyway - a genuine request for help
Thank you!

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 03/01/2024 00:59

No. Not anything I am aware of.
I can't help thinking it is just not that simple.

BotherThat · 03/01/2024 01:14

I bought the book ‘the organised mum method’ and promptly lost it. The irony…

i feel skeptical of people trying to monetise adhd. Maybe I’m wrong and there are apps out there that are helpful in managing some of the chaos - knowing me, I’d pay for it, then not get my shit brain to engage with the instructions / guidance and it would be more money down the drain.

Still haven’t read TOMM.

rubydoobydoo · 03/01/2024 01:19

Was it Effecto? I keep getting that ad and have been tempted then I get suspicious that it's trying to profit from the impulsive nature of ADHD - I've nearly signed up twice now and had to check myself!

The reviews say it's not much more than a tracking app which I have tried before (and lost interest and forgot about quickly! There is one called "habit tracker" which is free that was useful for making to-do lists - the fully paid version is very cheap too)
I also emailed the second time I nearly signed up with a couple of questions and got a not very helpful reply from what was probably a bot.

rubydoobydoo · 03/01/2024 01:21

Sorry just checked and it's not Habit Tracker, it's HabitNow.

I have ordered a planner/diary type thing instead this year as having everything laid out in front of me helps.

Pennyslot26 · 03/01/2024 01:21

Following !

sandgrown · 03/01/2024 01:23

We get free articles from Additude magazine which are helpful

InattentiveADHD · 03/01/2024 02:08

I would be suspicious of an app if one existed. Although strategies should be ADHD specific (strategies that work for NTs probably won't work for ADHDers, still different things work for different ADHDers. So I think you need to try various things. Also I find that nothing works 100% as strategies and apps don't cure ADHD (sadly). If it works 50% of the time or helps me keep a track of what's going on even if I don't follow it religiously (which isn't going to happen!) then it's a success.

I like things that are very simple. Presented simply without too much clutter. And with just enough reminders or notifications or options to make them useful but not over complicated.

To organise thoughts and recipes and research etc, I use Apple Notes. It's v simple. Layout is automatic (I couldn't get on with Evernote or the Office one - too many options and layout was too wide). You can put notes into folders easily, add links and pictures. And you can "share" to a note from almost any application. And it's always accessible on my phone. I put all our recipes in there, have folders for my family tree research, and folders for notes on our finances, or ideas about the house. It's rare that I can't do what I need in Apple Notes and I like its simplicity and the fact it lays out the note for you.

For to do lists, I use To Do but am also trialling the beta of Superlist (which is being started up by the maker of Wunderlist which was the perfect task list app (imo) unto a Microsoft bought it and ruined it. To Do is OK but it's not Wunderlist. I have high hopes for Superlist I just hope they don't make it too complicated. Anyhow....

To do is the best alternative to wanderlust I've found. It dies most things Wunderlist did. It has a simple interface and it's reasonable easy to set up tasks. The setting due date and reminder functions could be easier but as I say it's only ok and they seem to have stopped developing it further. To do has a great "clear up outstanding tasks" function that's great for ADHDers ... if you have a repeating task and you don't complete it for a while you can just in one click skip to the next task without having to "complete" 100 missed daily tasks! You can set up lists for anything and group your lists and assign tasks to other users. Plus it's free so shouldn't moan too much?!? I can't get Siri to work with it which is supposed to which is annoying as being able to add verbally would be so helpful. But I really couldn't get on with any of the many others I have tried. Interface is super important. Anything too cluttered or unclear and I just can't see anything at all which is no good to me!

Budgeting. Can't recommend YNAB enough. Takes a bit of getting used to but once you do it really simplifies budgeting. You do have to pay for it but personally I think it's worth it. I tried loads of budgeting apps before this one and the key thing for me is that it does the uploading and categorising of transactions really well. You don't end up with shed loads to constantly recategorise and it's also very clear which transactions you need to check and which ones have already been seen by you and confirmed as correct. It also has a "reconciliation" function so you can make sure that your bank accounts and your budget are always in line.

I can't think of any others I use, if I do, I'll pop back. Hope that's helpful.

brainworms · 03/01/2024 02:09

Most of them are just glorified planners which don't help, and they're usually expensive too.

PollyOrange · 03/01/2024 06:47

Thanks all this is what I was thinking. Planning is the key to organisation I guess. I'll investigate the notes apps. Sometimes even that feels overwhelming though! So I do nothing instead.

OP posts:
Pibolar · 03/01/2024 08:19

There were some good recommendations on here a couple of weeks ago, I forget what they are and never got round to trying them 😂

not adhd specific apps but i find

time finder

And google keep

really helpful, although don’t always get round to putting the stuff in there in the first place and then don’t always remember to check them. And even when I do, I can’t always follow through for various reasons relating to ADHD….. so it’s not foolproof. They’re free. Everyone’s different so it’s finding what works for you

WilburVonTrap · 03/01/2024 08:35

I use the Sweepy App - free - for cleaning. But also add in my self care tasks (take meds, order meds etc Car tasks - check oil/tyres etc and whatever else I've added.

Sweepy worked okay for about 18 months, I'm now bored of it and have started The Organised Mum Method. That costs about a fiver I think and I'm trying the clean along subscription.

Nothings perfect, but they are helpful!

Diaries and planners etc are of no use to me at all. And neither is my phone calender.

The Queen of Distraction book is good - well fhe first few chapters that I managed to read before losing it like PP and the TOMM book.

The Money Helper website has a budget tool/planner. I've saved that to my phine screen and that works really well.

Shouldbedoing · 03/01/2024 08:38

I have ADHD and the last thing I need is another reason to open my phone. I have had some success with a small notepad/piece of card with 3 to 5 To Dos written on. No more, or the ovewhelm gets ya

InterstellarDrifter · 03/01/2024 09:06

Shouldbedoing · 03/01/2024 08:38

I have ADHD and the last thing I need is another reason to open my phone. I have had some success with a small notepad/piece of card with 3 to 5 To Dos written on. No more, or the ovewhelm gets ya

I always wonder if I have adhd as I have similar issues around organising, being chaotic, hyper focus and so on.
I do find apps helpful for exercise and diet and tried to find an organising app.
I end up using a nice notebook and pen to do a daily list, which sometimes gets done.
I also have a weekly timetable of tasks which I try to force myself to do as I know if I leave everything til the weekend, I get overwhelmed.

I had a massive declutter before Xmas and I now feel like keeping on top of everything is doable.

LittleOwl153 · 03/01/2024 09:15

My daughter uses the Google system - calendar/reminders/tasks and has notifications on her Samsung watch. That seems to have really helped her.

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