ADHDers into music--what songs help you? | ADHD Information

Hey guys, I'm at a real low point right now
(DEPRESSION) and music always helps me. I'm 30
(soon to be 31) years old and was a Dj in college.
I've always been into music; (since I was a child) I
guess its like therapy to me. I'm listening to the
Beatles' White Album and "While My Guitar Gently
Weeps" is playing---great song. My ADHD got the
best of me today. I was trying to clean my house and
I just couldn't do it for very long---I got so bored. I
listened to Yo La Tengo and that helped a bit....then I
started drinking wine, which led to going and buying
a pack of cigarettes (I'm trying to quit). Now I
changed tunes ( Dandy Warhols). Anyway, I was just
wondering what music helps my fellow
ADHD/DEPRESSION/ANXIETY friends out there. I
also talked to my "ex" today which didn't help. Any
healing song suggestions? Thanks for the input.

I was a techno dj.....But electronic music always had my vote....I started out in 1977 with Jarre and am listening to industrial and dark ambient now...

 

Whats got you so down? Just a mood? Or is something bothering you? I Love to listen to Cheryl Crow. There is a certain song, I can't remember the name, but it goes something like this....Stay with me now, oh crap I can't even remember the words. I can hear it perfectly in my head, but the words won't come out. I also listen to Sublime accoustic and I always feel better. I hope you cheer up. Vodka and yard work are always helpful.I like Latino music for the beat and the trumpets.  The real Latino music not that crap they play now.

Hi! I always find that Punk music gets me stimulated. Especially, **Sugarcult**. Apparantely, the lead singer (Tim) has adhd. (He mentions ritalin and xanax in a couple of his songs). If I wanna relax then I like listening to the eels when I'm feeling depressed.

  Keep Smiling AllMixedUp

i use velvet underground  there music is slow sometimes happy and somtimes sad. of course i was a metal head in high school. zepplen always help in my depreesion. i pop in the cure and it picks me up in no time ah it reminds me of my teens carefree

flaming lips, butthole surfers, and tenacious D always makes me laugh.

This Here Giraffe by the flaming lips in awesome, and seems to hit home with me.

I saw this bird fly off his head
without him ever lookin up
this here giraffe was never caught complainin
he wouldn't take skin off yer back.
And ya hear yerself
thinkin
and ya hear yerself
thinking
this here giraffe, laughed
I saw this man stick out his neck
with his binoculars intact
He couldn't tell the right side of his brain
Had just lost all interest in his left...
And ya feel yourself shrinkin
And ya feel yourself shrinkin
this here giraffe, laughed
this here giraffe, laughed
And ya hear yourself
And ya hear yourself

 

Dave matthews band and grateful dead always make me smile as well.

coldbowl38085.6550347222Vodka and yardwork does sound funny to me.  I am getting some pretty funny pictures in my head.  I see eyes peaking out of a pile of leaves.3magentaWow! what a
response . Music truly is a window from the soul.
I use to be a Beatle freak had many of my hopes and dreams there.

All I can say is for myself I look for passion, energy, depth and melody,
also beat. Then a ride to a warm feeling of association. But that is so
personal.
Embrace the down times with MY Guitar then look for what fits your
dreams. Till next time.

P.S. Just went through all of what you are going through. It seems as
though it never ends. And It doesn't!
As a friend said to me "This is only a time of change and growth and it is
always painful, but now you can start it all over for the first time, when
you heal some.
In desperation I found a divorce group and I was amazed at what came
up.
Still crashed a year ago, now struggling with meds adhd dyslexia on and
on. but now I know where my hill to die on is as well as my Son.
Hang in, keep the faith and hope.
I wish you the best and will be thinking of you in cyberspace.Fast-paced music always seems to lighten my mood a bit.  Techno, punk, and good multi-rhythmed rap do me the most good I think.  But as lyrics can be distracting, I prefer techno when I'm trying to do something.  I can make my work task the lyrics (if you can figure out what that means).I listen to fast and complex jazz music, such as piano trio, guitar quartet or quintet. Complexity of instrument sound drives me to focus and don't get bored. When other people listen to my music, they eigher fall a sleep or get a headaches.

Gotta agree with you there AlyeskanMike.

I find I get my work done far better with some fast-paced instrumental-type music on in the background. Either that, or music I have heard so many times over the years I can't seem to hear the lyrics anymore.  I've got all my old punk cd's loaded up on my computer at work and they seem to help alot.

I changed offices last year from a noisy to a quiet part of the building. It seemed inappropriate to play music where I was, so I didn't.  My productivity took a real dive, but it took me a long time to put my finger on why.  I found when I came in on weekends, I got a whole lot more done than during the week.  My working theory now about it is that background music that is sufficiectly fast-paced occupies that part of my mind that would otherwise lead me into distraction.  I bought some headphones, and my work is picking up. 

I feel almost like a have a child-like part of my mind that is difficult to manage.  With music on, I am able to make it, in effect, sit in the corner and entertain itself while I get work done.  Nothing is so terribly distracting to me as silence, I almost cannot function.  To sleep, I have a white noise machine and a ceiling fan on at all times.  The white noise is nice because, when it is sufficiently loud, it disrupts my thought processes enough to where my thoughts do not keep me up on their own.  My friend marvels that I can sleep next to "the jet engine" but I can't sleep without it anymore.

Anyway, I'll shut up - just wanted to voice my agreement.

-DH

I'd recommend Coldplay's "Rush of blood to the head" CD. It's mellow ; (other than a couple of "driving" tunes) It's harmonious; and an all around "feel good" album. Tasty stuff. Even for an ancient  50 year old like meI love Joan Jett, can't be depressed listening to that music.  When I want to mellow out I listen to Carol King's Tapestry.  All good picks, I listen to Metallica when I'm in a foul mood. Pink usually picks me up, I think the only good song Meridith Brooks wrote describes me perfectly, so it's kind of my self-affirmation song. I love old school Jazz, Louie Armstrong, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby... all the rat pack music, I listen to that when I'm happy. I tend to gravitate to Classical music when I'm feeling thoughtful, Beethoven's 7th, 1st movement, good stuff.

I DJ'd my way through college as well, and on into my first few jobs...  Now I have a 1954 Jukebox ready to go into my livingroom.  Gonna fill it with music from 75-85.   What do I use to relax... music from my high school days... (early 80's for me)   What picks me up - believe it or not... Polkas  I grew up in a very ethnic Italian neighborhood  If there was a party, there was an acordian, and there were polkas!!!  I don't know if it's the memories or the beats or the moods but those two types of music ahave the most profound effect on me.