Music and ADHD

[Lilwonder]

Anyone else have the experience of “needing” to be involved in creating music or another creative pursuit to feel well with ADHD?

[JamieJJL]

Definitely. Though for me it's honestly everything at once. I'm primarily a writer, working on a PhD in game design that I want to use to do work with experimental interactive television and film, but I also can't listen to music without feeling a desire to participate in the process of making it.

Unfortunately for me I still haven't figured out how to manage most of my ADHD even with medication and therapy so it just results in a lot of disappointment from unfinished projects.

[Jozlynn]

Absolutely! It's not music for me necessarily, although I feel music on a really deep level, but the need to be involved in some kind of creative pursuit is intense.

For me lately, it's been building my own business. A lot of creativity has gone into designing my systems and processes, branding, messaging, etc. If I don't have a specific project to work on that allows me to express that creativity, I'm restless.

Creativity is one of the more common characteristics of those with ADHD. That's why a lot of us are entrepreneurs, artists, etc. For me, the trick is to always have some kind of creative project to work on when I need to feel 'soothed'. Whether that's sewing, creating something for my business, an improvement project around the house, whatever. Just something where creativity can have full reign.

[Prussic]

Yes to the urge to create. I love music but I’m not a musical at all. My 20 yo daughter is ADHD and she is a musician and songwriter. She lives in TN pursuing music. She says it’s like the music is a flood inside her and she has to let it out.

I knit and there are times I can see a project and my fingers itch and ache for wool and needles and I can’t sit still unless I cast something on.

The hardest part for me is follow through so that projects get finished.

If I hear music I often want to create something. I reckon I just like to make stuff and I like the creation process.

[Mamamichl]

not necessarily making music. But being able to express myself in playing music (playing an instrument )or at least be able to play ambient music in the background.