ADHD Apps To Help Manage Your Symptoms

ADHD often makes it difficult to focus and can even lead to problems with your memory. It has the potential to make tasks more difficult than they need to be when the condition is not managed properly. Despite these statistics, only a small percentage of adults seek treatment for their ADHD symptoms. Using productivity apps can help you stay focused and organize tasks in your personal and professional life. Therapy and medication can complement tools like productivity ADHD apps to help you develop healthy habits and thrive. 

Living with ADHD and finding treatment options

ADHD can present significant challenges in everyday life. You may feel distracted at work, at school, or in social situations. Common ADHD symptoms include inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. This can present in various ways. Some people may struggle to complete tasks or stay organized while others may find it difficult to focus or sit still. In some cases, ADHD can even lead to negative sleeping patterns. However, you don’t have to face this alone. If a mental health professional diagnoses you with ADHD, finding the right treatment and creating a personalized routine may help you manage your symptoms. For most people, a combination of medication and therapy often works well. 

Also, many people like to use apps on their smartphones to stay on task. Below, you’ll find some of the best apps on the market for individuals experiencing ADHD. Many ADHD apps are free, but others require a subscription to use a premium version with more features. The list below offers a sampling of applications – if you’re looking for a specific feature, like location-based reminders, sleep cycle management, or voice dictation, you may need to do some research into available options.

Helpful ADHD apps to manage symptoms and prioritize tasks

Asana

Asana is a popular project management tool that can be used on your desktop or mobile device. The free version is available for download on both iOS and Android. It has been designed as a free collaboration tool. With Asana, you can create virtual to-do lists for yourself to stay on task. You can also add important details, such as due dates, to give yourself as much information as possible about upcoming tasks.

If you’re looking for more collaborative features, like group project boards, you can opt for a paid version of Asana. You can use the app’s features in a professional setting to collaborate with your colleagues as well as assign tasks to other users or share to-do lists. You may find that you have a much easier time staying focused when you have a visual reminder of what needs to be accomplished.

Due

Due has become a popular app among adults with ADHD and other attention concerns. You must purchase the app, and there are additional in-app purchases that can be made. However, they aren’t necessary to enjoy the base experience. This simple habit tracker allows you to set reminders for yourself so that you can create tasks and accomplish everything on your to-do list. This could be something simple like taking your medication, putting the laundry in the dryer, or going to bed at the same time to avoid a sleep deficit. It can keep you on task by reminding you what to do at the right time.

If you ignore a reminder on your phone, then it will continue to go off every 10 minutes. You’ll need to set the task as accomplished to make the alert go away. If you have a hard time focusing and getting daily tasks done, this app may help you make meaningful changes to your behaviors. It also has a sleek interface and is easy to use, so it’s worth your consideration even though it’s not free.

More ADHD apps that can help with organization and accountability

RescueTime

RescueTime is a different type of app that is all about making sure that you don’t waste too much time on your phone or computer. Living with ADHD can be challenging, and it may be especially difficult not to become distracted by playing on your phone, surfing the web, or playing video games. Many people wind up losing hours of productivity every single day due to spending too much time on their devices. This handy app can help you to set limits for yourself so that you only spend a certain amount of time online.

With RescueTime, you can receive a mobile notification when you’ve reached your designated time limit on a specific device. This works for your phone, computer, and tablet. It can make it easy to recognize how much time you’re spending online and help to promote healthier habits. You can also see how well you’re doing with the Productivity Pulse feature. This scores and measures your improvement, allowing you to continue to make strides toward being more productive.

Flora 

Flora is an app that may help if you’re experiencing difficulty avoiding games and social media. You can set a time goal during which a virtual tree will begin to grow. After that set amount of time, your digital tree will have blossomed, ready to be added to your digital garden. However, if you leave the Flora app during this time to browse social media or play a game, your tree will die. 

Also, if you pay a small subscription fee starting at $1.99, those virtual trees will become real. Flora pledges to plant one tree after a certain number of focused hours, depending on your subscription, to help save the planet.

Some additional features of Flora include unlocking new trees and flowers from all around the world, the ability to make a goal list and check off those items, and the opportunity to connect with friends to motivate them and win additional trees. If you're looking to organize your tasks, focus better, help save the forests, and reduce your screen time and distractions, Flora may be the right app for you.

Todoist

Todoist is another free app that makes use of in-app purchases. You can create lists to add tasks and keep track of those that you still need to complete. You can also set reminders for yourself that will send you notifications when you need to do something. This can be useful for personal tasks like “remember the milk” and professional tasks like “call the client about project deliverables.”

This app has a convenient quick-add feature that simplifies the process of keeping things organized. You can also track your overall productivity and see how many tasks you’ve completed. If you have trouble staying focused on tasks or meeting important deadlines, then Todoist may be a useful app for you.

Online therapy can offer further support

Making use of a productive habit tracker or project management tool may make a difference in ADHD symptoms, especially when combined with medication and therapy. If you don’t feel comfortable with in-person therapy, you might try online therapy. ADHD specialists have conducted studies and scientific evidence shows that teletherapy (online therapy) for adults and children is just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than in-person therapy. 

With therapy from an online platform like BetterHelp, you can speak to an online therapist on a schedule that works for you. This can be particularly useful to those who may have trouble sticking with in-person appointments. You can talk to your therapist via phone or videoconference, and you can contact them in between sessions via in-app messaging.

Continue reading below to find reviews of some of our experienced therapists from people seeking help to manage their mental health symptoms.

Therapist reviews

“It has been a pleasure speaking with Deborah and allowing me to express my feelings. I feel that I am in a safe place and can be honest. I also appreciate Deborah's ability to keep me on track and focused on the task at hand.”

“I was skeptical of counseling before I started, Brianna was the first counselor I was paired with. After only 2 months of sessions once a week for an hour, I have already seen improvement in my overall mental health as well as how I handle stressful/anxiety situations. She is friendly and understands my concerns. She keeps a structured session (as requested). She lets me choose the topic and keeps me on track….”