Here, we dive into how music can be a remedy for ADHD and also what you should avoid.
Through countless studies, research has developed the notion that music can have a wide range of positive effects on an individual’s health.
For some, music gives an energetic boost of happy thoughts. Music can also be the extra push an individual needs during a rigorous workout. For others, listening to music also helps in maintaining focus.
This notion has developed the question for many researchers as to whether music can help people who have ADHD, which can cause problems surrounding concentration.
According to Healthline.com, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes having trouble focusing and concentration and having difficulty staying organized.
Additionally, individuals with ADHD tend to have a forgetful nature about completing a task and have difficulty sitting still. Males are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females while the average age of diagnosis is seven years old.
However, this deficiency is not just a childhood disorder. A high population of adults over the age of 18 deal with undiagnosed ADHD daily.
Music is the Medicine?
It can be a tricky and complex disorder to comprehend. Medicine can be prescribed however; music could pose as a positive solution to the constant struggle of ADHD. In 2011, a study examined 41 boys with ADHD.
The conclusion suggested that the boy’s classroom performance improved when they listened to music while they worked. Music still did distract some of them.
Researchers have suggested that people with ADHD should avoid as many distractions as possible, yet some people with ADHD have seen some benefits from listening to various sounds and certain music genres.
Music is all about structure and relies on it. Through timing and rhythm music remains to have a pulse and underline consistency when it comes to structuring.
Regarding the cranium, music increases dopamine which is a neurotransmitter. Some people with ADHD symptoms may be linked to lower dopamine levels.
As ADHD often deals with the difficulty of understanding timing, and organisation, listening to music may help improve performance in those specific areas.
Some types of music such as classical music have been vital to tackling the disorder symptoms. Composers such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi aim to calm and create a medium tempo to relax ADHD individuals.
Playlists can be found on various music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
Binaural Beats
A type of auditory beat stimulation such as Binaural beats is believed to have some benefits such as increased calmness and higher levels of concentration.
A binaural beat occurs when listening to certain sounds at certain frequencies with one ear and a sound at a different frequency in the other ear.
This results in your brain producing a sound with the frequency of the difference made up from the two tones.
However, the binaural beats only found easing and calming results but did not help with focus or attention.
White Noise
Another component of sound that could help ADHD individuals, is white noises.
White noise is steady background noise.
In 2016, a study set out to compare white noise and stimulant ADHD medication.
The results have shown that the participants with ADHD performed more efficiently with verbal and memory tasks while listening to white noise.
As loud and obnoxious noises can easily distract people with ADHD, quiet sounds such as a distant fan positively aided the disorder and showed major benefits.
Music to Avoid!
While listening to various music and sounds may show extreme benefits in ADHD individuals, there may be sounds one should avoid if the deficiency is prominent.
Students with ADHD may have better results if they avoid music without a clear rhythm, loud/ heavy music such as heavy metal, and fast-paced dance music. People with ADHD need to avoid songs they like.
Although it is amazing to have a favourite song, listening to this can heavily disrupt concentration. Additionally, songs with lyrics can be distracting.
Playlists must be played without any commercials. This could break the concentration cycle.
Music may contribute to the supporting efforts of finding healthy ways on combating ADHD symptoms. The truth of the matter is that it can be all subjective. ADHD can be a struggling factor for many people, including their family and loved ones.
The important thing to understand is that patience is key. Music may not be the only factor that aids individuals with ADHD.
Do you have ADHD? If you feel that you may have ADHD or know someone who does, talk to a licensed professional about what you can do to get the help you need to live an easier, more focused life.
Remember, ADHD is not a negative aspect of one’s life. It is just a unique perspective of enjoying life.
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