How Can Music Therapy Help Professionals With ADHD Focus Better?
It can be tough for a professional with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to focus properly. Their work environment may seem overstimulating, whether at home or in the office. The pressure of meeting specific deadlines can be nerve-racking, and missing meetings can also be problematic. Music therapy at Restoration Recovery can help professionals with ADHD focus better. Combining self-help strategies with music therapy at Restoration Recovery can further enhance a professional’s ability to function in their workplace.
What Is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), ADHD can be defined as a mental health condition that interferes with an individual’s ability to focus while causing hyperactivity-impulsivity. The psychiatric disorder impairs an individual’s development and overall capacity to function.
Many individuals facing challenges with ADHD experience severe symptoms that may occur often. ADHD symptoms can significantly impact how an individual functions socially, academically, and professionally. The warning signs of ADHD include fidgeting, talking excessively, interrupting others, or experiencing poor time management.
How Can Untreated ADHD Impact an Individual’s Work Performance?
Work has a central role in daily living. Untreated ADHD can negatively impact a professional’s work performance. Projects left unfinished can trigger one to worry, feel mentally strained, or be stressed out. Their condition may lead to co-occurring mental health complications such as depression or anxiety.
Many individuals having problems with unaddressed ADHD experience job losses, which can put one at serious risk for financial hardship. Based on one clinical study, participants with ADHD experienced issues at work, particularly with not meeting their standards and preferred potential. ADHD affects everyone differently, but many professionals find it tough to stay focused in their work environment. Working professionals with untreated ADHD experience challenges in multiple domains of their career, including:
- Presenting unfocused motor activity
- Overlooking or missing important details during meetings
- Experiencing difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or lengthy lectures
- Finding it difficult to focus during conversation
- Having problems finishing important tasks
- Finding it challenging to organize tasks or keep work materials in order
- Frequently losing important items in one’s office
- Forgetting to call co-workers or clients back in a timely fashion
What Is Music Therapy and How Can It Help?
Prescription medications often come with a list of uncomfortable or severe side effects. Taking certain prescription drugs also puts many individuals at risk for substance dependence. Not everyone is comfortable with taking prescription medications. Many individuals prefer a holistic approach to care for a more natural path toward healing. A holistic approach can also be a more enjoyable alternative to prescription medication.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH), music therapy can be used as a therapeutic approach to cope with emotional, physical, social, and cognitive needs. Rather than a specific type of intervention, music therapy utilizes the training, education, and credentials of the trained therapist who is carrying out the intervention. Music therapy can be done in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, schools, outpatient clinics, and more. Different types of music therapy may consist of:
- Music improvisation
- Listening to music
- Writing songs
- Dancing to music
- Performing music
- Learning through music
How Can Music Therapy Help Professionals With ADHD Focus Better?
It can be easy for a professional with ADHD to feel consumed by certain tasks, co-workers asking for favors, and big projects ahead. Participating in music therapy can help an individual with ADHD open up, express oneself, and break free from distractions.
Music therapy can effectively promote healthy self-esteem and increase confidence for ongoing success. This type of therapy can encourage stronger listening skills and help professionals efficiently complete tasks. Many professionals find that listening to music in a therapeutic setting or alone can help them make wiser decisions. Listening to music without words can also promote a better sleep schedule, improved memory, and reduced stress for assertive work performance.
Combining Self-Help Strategies With Music Therapy to Help Professionals With ADHD Focus Better
Although music therapy can be helpful, this type of intervention alone may not be enough to help one stay productive in their workplace. Consistent effort with any type of therapy helps one gain the most benefits from care. Practicing self-help strategies in combination with music therapy may seem like a lot of work in the beginning, but many individuals begin to adjust over time. Different self-help strategies that can help those with ADHD stay on track with their professional career include:
- Schedule breaks to help break up the day
- Eliminate distractions
- Avoid multitasking
- Organize the workplace
- Practice mindfulness and meditation
- Remember to turn off work at the end of the day to start refreshed
- Take deep breaths when feeling overworked
- Compartmentalize work tasks
- Maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol
At our California recovery center, our serene setting helps clients achieve not just wellness but wholeness. Established in May 2017 in Auburn, California, Restoration Recovery Center is a product of the desire of a group of experienced therapists who wish to help in the recovery of individuals with substance use disorder. Many drug and alcohol addiction rehab programs are turning toward a “whole-body” (holistic) approach to recovery. We offer an integrative health approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment and include holistic services designed to support the recovery process. You can expect to have your mind, body, and spirit integrated into addiction treatment. If you are a professional in need of support coping with ADHD, call us at (888) 290-0925.
