SOUND AND MUSIC FOR ADHD
Sound and Music for ADHD
Table of Contents
Medical Details
Definition & Types
Types
Causes
Signs and Symptoms
Current Treatments
Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Basis for Approach
Create Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration
Self Discovery and Transformation
Higher Perspective and Intuition
Types of People
Safety Guidelines
Intake Questions
Top Questions
Music and Sound
Lifestyle
History
Current Stressors in Your Life
Triggers
Personal Remedies
Current Medical Therapeutic
Somatic Questions
Higher Perspective
Chakra Questions
Practitioner Preparation and Guidelines
Clearing in Advance
General
Preparation and Guidelines for Each Issue
Treatments With Sound
Order of treatment
Opening the Session
Create Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration
Self Discovery and Transformation
Higher Perspective and Intuition
Homework with Sound and Music
Listening and Playing Sound and Music
Sound on the Body
Voice Work
Breath Work
Nature
Mental/Emotional
Emotional Vocal Expression
Follow Up
Treatments Other Than Sound
Help Them Get Organized
Body Work
Mental / Emotional Work
Creative Work
Social
Energy Work
Nature
Color
Crystals
Environment
Nutrition / Supplements
Service
Ideas for Research
Sound and Music for ADHD
Medical Details
This section provides information about the issue, known causes, common signs and symptoms and current treatments.
Definition
- A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
- ADHD often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school or work.
- Symptoms include limited attention and hyperactivity.
Types
Adults
- Inattention: Difficulty paying attention, staying on task, or being organized
- Hyperactivity: Excessive activity or restlessness, even at inappropriate times, and difficulty engaging in quiet activities
- Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or having trouble with self-control
Untreated, ADHD can cause devastating academic and interpersonal problems, resulting in low self esteem, as well as secondary depression and anxiety.
Dr. Daniel Amen defines 7 types (though not accepted in the mainstream).
1. Classic ADHD
Classic ADHD is the most well-known presentation, often characterised by:
- Hyperactivity: Feeling constantly “on the go.”
- Impulsivity: Acting without thinking through consequences.
- Inattention: Difficulty staying focused on tasks.
Adults with classic ADHD may struggle with procrastination, unfinished tasks, and maintaining attention in conversations or meetings. Their energy and impulsivity can sometimes be mistaken for immaturity or carelessness.
Management Tips: Stimulant medications, mindfulness techniques, and structured routines often help manage classic ADHD effectively. ADHD coaching and CBT therapy can be helpful for learning techniques to manage symptoms.
2. Inattentive ADHD
Inattentive ADHD, otherwise known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), is marked by an absence of hyperactivity. Key traits include:
- Daydreaming or zoning out
- Difficulty following through on projects
- Losing focus or misplacing items regularly
Adults with this type may be perceived as forgetful or unmotivated, though these assumptions don’t account for the underlying challenges they face.
Management Tips: Time management tools, behavioural therapy, and accountability partners can help individuals stay on track.
3. Overfocused ADHD
Overfocused ADHD is the opposite of inattentive ADHD. Instead of being easily distracted, people with this type:
- Fixate on specific thoughts or tasks
- Struggle to transition between activities
- Display rigid thinking or resistance to change
This hyperfocus can sometimes be a strength, such as excelling in detail-oriented tasks. However, it can also lead to perfectionism, frustration, and difficulty working in teams.
Management Tips: Developing flexibility and balance through therapy and relaxation techniques can help mitigate overfocus.
4. Temporal Lobe ADHD
This type of ADHD involves issues stemming from the brain’s temporal lobes, which play a key role in emotional regulation and memory. Symptoms include:
- Mood swings and irritability
- Trouble remembering important details
For adults, these challenges can interfere with their emotional wellbeing and relationships.
Management Tips: Emotional regulation strategies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), combined with regular physical activity, can help stabilise moods.
5. Limbic ADHD
Limbic ADHD affects the brain’s limbic system, leading to emotional dysregulation and persistent low moods. Adults with this type may experience:
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
This type can often be mistaken for depression, though it stems from ADHD’s unique impact on the brain.
Management Tips: A combination of therapy, stimulant or mood-boosting medication, and lifestyle changes such as exercise can significantly improve symptoms.
6. Ring of Fire ADHD
Ring of Fire ADHD gets its name from a pattern of brain activity associated with overarousal. Adults with this type may exhibit:
- Sensory overload or irritability
- Aggression or quick temper
This extreme form of ADHD can feel overwhelming for both the individual and their loved ones.
Management Tips: A holistic approach, including calming techniques like yoga and mindfulness, alongside medication when needed, can be effective in managing symptoms.
7. Anxious ADHD
Anxious ADHD combines the core symptoms of ADHD with chronic anxiety. Adults with this type may experience:
- Constant worry or overthinking
- Avoidance of new or challenging situations
- Difficulty relaxing or unwinding
This type can make life feel paralysing, as anxiety and ADHD symptoms feed into each other, making even simple tasks feel daunting.
Management Tips: Therapies focusing on relaxation, non-stimulant ADHD medications, and techniques to build resilience against anxiety are often beneficial.
Children
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) that 3%-7% of school-aged children have ADHD. However, studies have estimated higher rates in community samples.
According to the CDC, more than 1 in 10 children (ages 4-17 years) have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lifetime. This is about 6.4 million children in the United States. Recent research shows that 11.2% of boys and 5.5% of girls 3-17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD. The median age of onset is 7. Children with poor health are 3 times more likely to have ADHD.
ADHD can be diagnosed in childhood or adulthood. However, adults must have shown symptoms much earlier, starting before age 12.
The main difference between diagnosing ADHD in children and adults is the number of symptoms. Adults or adolescents over 16 years must show five (instead of six) symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Diagnosing ADHD in adulthood is complicated by the need to show symptoms before age 12. For this reason, a diagnosis relies heavily on past reports of behavior.
To help diagnose ADHD, a primary care provider or mental health professional may ask to talk to people who know you well, such as a partner, family members, and friends, to learn about your behavior in different situations and during childhood. They may look at school reports or other childhood records.
A provider will also talk to you and may ask you to do the following:
- Complete clinical interviews, behavior rating scales, or symptom checklists to determine whether you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD.
- Take psychological tests that look at cognitive processes, such as memory, planning, decision-making, reasoning, and thinking, to identify strengths and challenges and possible learning disabilities.
- Report on your mood and current and past medical conditions to rule out alternative diagnoses and establish an overall treatment plan.
Causes
While the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include:
- Genetics. ADHD can run in families, and studies indicate that genes may play a role.
- Environment. Certain environmental factors also may increase risk, such as lead exposure as a child.
- Problems during development. Problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development may play a role.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are caused by a deficiency in the transmission system which relays messages between cells in various parts of the brain. Studies have shown that those with ADHD have lower blood flow in the frontal lobes which is where the brain affects attention and impulse control. Poor functioning of the frontal lobe means the child cannot think quickly enough to put the brakes on and control the impulses to act. By speeding up the blood flow it can help with these symptoms and may help children be able to have more control over their attention and impulses. Gently stimulating the frontal lobe with Sound Therapy can correct the auditory processing problem and help children curb their impulsiveness and focus better. The majority of children with ADD or ADHD have auditory reception problems. Although they can hear, they have difficulty making sense of what they hear - they cannot tune out unwanted input and focus on selected sounds. This indiscriminate reception of auditory input leads to the inability to focus attention on a selected topic for any length of time.
ADHD is also linked with brain function impairment, or “slow wave disorder”. This means that there’s a dominance of the slower brainwaves, such as Alpha and Theta. Normally they have a mixture of different brainwave patterns all at once, but too much slow wave activity can cause a person to lose concentration, (miss what they have just read or what was just said) and get distracted. Brainwaves function in several levels; Delta, the frequency level of deep sleep, Theta, the frequency level of deep meditation, Alpha, the frequency level of day dreaming, Beta, the everyday working frequency level, and Gamma, the frequency level of high concentration. Those with ADHD have more of the “slow” brainwaves associated primarily with the Alpha level, and also often have over active right brain hemispheres, and an under active left brain.
“Visual processing and ADHD have common genetics and auditory processing and ADHD do too. Interestingly, it appears that impulsive behavior, in particular, is tied to the DRD2 gene which is one of the several ADHD genes that can be influenced by music. Studies on the DRD2 gene and music have found that listening to music improves functional and effective connectivity between brain regions mediating reward, autonomic and cognitive processing.”
Signs and Symptoms
Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
Adult ADHD symptoms may include:
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganization and problems prioritizing
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Trouble multitasking
- Excessive activity or restlessness
- Poor planning
- Low frustration tolerance
- Frequent mood swings
- Problems following through and completing tasks
- Hot temper
- Trouble coping with stress
Current Treatments
Treatment for ADHD can reduce symptoms and improve functioning. The most common treatments for ADHD in adults are:
- Medication, usually stimulant medications
- Psychotherapy, like behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy
Effective treatment often involves a combination of elements. Sometimes, people must try several treatments before finding the one that works for them.
Learn more about stimulants and other mental health medications. Learn more about psychotherapy.
Some adults may find it helpful to get support from a life coach or ADHD coach who can teach them executive function skills to improve daily functioning. Others try lifestyle changes, like adding more physical exercise to their daily schedule.
People whose ADHD symptoms cause impairment at work may qualify for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) .
Neurofeedback:
Electroencephalograph (EEG) biofeedback involves placing a few electrical leads on the scalp and then measuring and analyzing the person's brain wave patterns. The information is "fed back" to the ADHD sufferer via a computer screen to let them know when they are producing the desired patterns, ones associated with concentration and calmness and when they are not. Some children and adolescents are reported to have dramatic behavioral improvements. However, problems arise for many in transferring the learning from the training sessions to daily situations. It can also be very tiring for the client. Additionally, this treatment requires great commitment from the patient and family since it involves many office training sessions over a period of months and it is costly. There are reportedly no physical side effects to EEG Biofeedback.
LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System):
LENS also uses an EEG and electrical sensors to acquire brain wave information. However, the goal of this system is to “disentrain” the brain. The developer of this system, Dr. Len Ochs, found that one does not need to tell the brain what to do as in the active Neurofeedback system mentioned above. The LENS program feeds back the same brainwaves and adds an extremely small radio frequency, called an offset, resulting in the brain self-adjusting and minimizing its dysfunction. Compared with traditional Neurofeedback, the LENS process requires no work by the client and reportedly accomplishes improved functioning in much less time and at a much lower cost.
Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Basis for Approach
This section provides the theoretical basis for using specific sounds and music for the particular issue. It is the “why.” Why do we think our approach makes sense for the particular issue? This theoretical framework will likely be refined over time as we learn more and do more research. There are a large number of ways to use sound, music and vibration to create treatments based on this overall framework. The section below, “Treatments with Sound,” provides many options with much more detail.
Create Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration
Peace and harmony are the basis of health. When we experience a state of peace, body and mind are relaxed and the natural healing response kicks in.
(This section is good for all issues except where people are extremely fragile – CLICK HERE to see more detail)
Listening
- Frequencies
a. Coherent vs. Chaotic frequencies
b. Archetypal Frequencies
c. Low Frequencies
d. Frequencies for Specific Parts of the Body
e. Frequencies for a Person’s Whole System
- Sounds
a. Consistent Stable Sounds
b. Warm Sounds
c. Sounds for Breaking up Energy
- Dissonant Sounds
- Odd Harmonics
- Rhythms and Binaural Beats
- Musical Intervals – Harmonious
a. Unison
b. Octave
c. Perfect 5th
d. Perfect 4th
e. Major 3rd (especially descending) for love
- Musical Flow
a. Smooth Flow
b. Slow Fade
c. Home note of the key of the song
d. Dynamics that Slowly and Smoothly Get More Calming
e. Slow Rhythms
f. Music Tuned to the Breath
g. Musical 5th Melodic Intervals
h. Musical 3rd Melodic Intervals (for love)
i. Sweet Melodies
- Energy and Intention
a. Stable and Consistent Peace
b. Soul Energy
c. Universal Love
d. Source
Having Them Play Instruments
Voice Work
- Toning
- Chant and Mantra
- Voice Healing
Sounds on the Body
- Tibetan Bowls, Tuning Forks, Frame Drums
- VibroAcoustics: Sound Tables / Sound Lounges / Sound Vests / Sound Pillows / Sound Dolphins
Brainwave Entrainment Tuned to The Person
This is the main and most effective treatment with Sound.
The main type of ADHD is that the brain doesn’t go fast enough to access the Beta brainwave state. Finding the person’s natural inherent rhythm of a person’s brain when in Beta and using Binaural Beats to entrain the brain into their rhythm has proven to be extremely effective.
Self Discovery and Transformation
Once you have them at peace, discuss the issues and triggers along with ideas for dealing with them with sound.
Emotional Clearing
After getting to a state of peace, explore and identify the emotional issues that could be behind the inability to focus.
Use sound with exercises to release and transform emotional issues. This can include overcoming fear, anger and resentment, and finding self-acceptance.
Higher Perspective and Intuition
Use sound and discussion to help them access a wider mental perspective and higher state of consciousness.
Accessing higher emotions and energies can create a coherent energy in the body, mind and emotions where the ADHD goes away on its own. This includes sending it love and imagining it completely gone.
Types of People
Information that can seriously affect the type of treatment provide (e.g.: Level of Severity; Adults vs. Children; Strong vs. Fragile)
- Inattention: Difficulty paying attention, staying on task, or being organized.
This individual might need more activation. - Hyperactivity: Excessive activity or restlessness, even at inappropriate times, and difficulty engaging in quiet activities.
A person with this type might need more calming. - Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or having trouble with self-control
Might also need more calming.
- Many children are misdiagnosed. It is important to look for other issues that could be causing the problem.
Safety Guidelines
What practitioners should be aware of. What are the contraindications? This is critical not only for safety, but in order to help bring these treatment modalities into the mainstream (hospitals and homes).
- Watch for when someone is too fragile to handle much sound – particularly if using Sound Tables/Lounges. Be careful with vibroacoustics afterwards as emotions come up.
- Always watch extremely closely for any negative reactions.
- Use detailed Intake to check for potential for:
- Self Harm
- Harm to Others
- Suicide
- May need to get help
- Critical to be able to hold your own space when someone is releasing emotions
- No Labeling
Intake Questions
General questions about the person and detailed questions about their issue and their relationship with it. These questions are critical for determining which path to take in the treatment plan.
Be aware of whether they can answer the questions with ease. Be aware of any reaction to being questioned and stop if necessary.
Top Questions
- What brought you here?
- How are you doing today?
- Have you done any Sound Healing?
- You Ok to make sound?
- How do you feel about your ADHD?
- Any ideas where it came from for you – physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually
- Any pain? Any other side effects?
- How long have you had this issue?
- What or who prompted you to seek help for your ADHD?
- What triggers it?
- What are the symptoms you experience?
- How often?
- How long does it last?
- What is the level of the issue on a scale of 1-10 now?
- Was there a big event that started your issue?
- Is there anything that helps?
- What are the main stressors in your life?
- Do you have any other health issues?
- How is your diet?
- How much do you exercise?
- Do you drink alcohol?
- Do you have a support system?
- Are you seeing a medical or alternative physician now or in the recent past?
- Are you on any medication? How is it helping?
- How does sound and music affect your condition?
- Do you have anything you do now that helps when the issue happens?
- What are your goals in life?
Music and Sound
- What type of music do you like?
- Do you like to sing?
- Are you a musician? Do you play any instruments?
Lifestyle
- What activities do you enjoy the most?
- What really makes you happy and feeds your Soul?
- How much time do you spend in different activities throughout the day: Phone, TV, Outside time, Listening to Music.
- How much time do you spend on the computer?
- How much unstructured time?
- Do you have a spiritual practice?
- How is your diet?
- What is your job?
- Primary relationships
- Going to school
- Sleep, quality and consistency. Are you going to bed at the same time each night?
- Overall vitality /energy levels
- Did you feel safe in your home?
- Are you financially secure?
- How is this condition affecting your life?
- Work
- Relationships
- Socially
- Spiritually
History
- What was your childhood like?
- Was there a lot of chaos growing up?
- Did you feel safe growing up?
- Have you experienced any traumatic events?
- Does anyone in the family have ADHD?
Current Stressors in Your Life
- What things most stress you out?
- Do you feel able to step outside those stressors and observe yourself from a peaceful location?
Triggers
- Can you remember a time when you were relaxed without this issue? What was the environment in that situation?
- Do you notice any connection to electromagnetics?
Personal Remedies
- When you visualize a safe place where does your mind go first?
- Do you have any current self care practices ?
- Do you have a creative outlet?
Current Medical Therapeutic
- Have you stopped taking any medications recently that corresponded with the issue.
- Has your issue ever posed a threat to your life? If yes, specify.
Somatic Questions
- Physical health
- Have you lost weight recently?
- Are there any areas of your body that are in pain or need?
Higher Perspective
- What do you think is going on behind this? Do you know deep inside what causes it?
- If the issue could talk, what would it say?
- What shape, color, texture, sound is it?
- Have you considered what this is teaching you? What are you learning?
- What is it trying to protect you from?
- Do you consider yourself empathic?
- If you had all the free time in the world what would you do? What would your magic life be like?
- When you visualize a safe place where does your mind go to first?
Chakra Questions
- Root Chakra – How grounded are you? How often are you in your body versus in your head?
- Sacral Chakra – How easily do you let go of emotions?
- Solar Plexus Chakra – Are you above others where you are frustrated, critical or angry, or below people where you feel insecure or not good enough? Or do you feel in your power equal to others?
- Heart Chakra – How open is your heart? How much love do you have in your life these days?
- Throat Chakra – How well are you able to express yourself?
Do you have any trouble or fear around making sound or singing? - Third Eye – How good is your intuition? How clear is your vision and clarity of mind?
- Crown Chakra – How often do you connect to Spirit or Source energy?
Do you have a spiritual practice?
Do you know how to open your crown chakra?
Practitioner Preparation and Guidelines
Clearing in Advance
- Do your homework on yourself.
- Do your own centering first before the session.
- Clear your physical space as necessary - physically and energetically.
- Call in guides.
- Set out all Sound Healing Instrument sets (Crystal Bowls, Tibetan Bowls, Tuning Forks, Drums, etc.)
General
- Build confidence in these techniques by sharing previous successes, research, acceptance of Sound Healing in Integrative Therapy departments in Hospitals.
- Have intake questions ready for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Listen and be present.
- Be ready to follow higher guidance.
- See them as pure spirit, allowing space for them to be honored as divine presence.
- Meet them where they are at.
- Understand how to establish trust in every opportunity that presents. Listen, empower, validate, non- judgment, no labels, authenticity is key, etc.
- Watch extremely closely for any negative reactions during the session
- Be honest with the patient in advance regarding your qualifications and session goals.
- Expand trust by demonstrating willingness to become vulnerable.
- Reflection - Use their exact words back to them so they know you have understood them.
- Gauge how closed they are. Know how deep you can go?
- Reframe: See condition as a doorway instead of obstacle.
- Hold deep acceptance: “It’s OK to be that way” “It’s Ok to feel what you are feeling”
- If they start crying don’t touch or talk to them. Let them know “It’s OK, let it out.”
- Disclaimer for any recommendations - especially herbal stuff and anything ingested.
- Explain to the client what they may experience during the session.
- Ask permission to work on the body with tuning forks and bowls and possibly hands.
- Keep track of which techniques the client likes the most and use the best in future sessions or homework assignments.
Preparation and Guidelines for Each Issue
Use the intake questions to connect to the person and develop trust.
Treatments With Sound
Detailed techniques using a wide range of sound and music, categorized based on the Conceptual Frameworks above.
Order of treatment
- Opening / Invocation – Do sound to get them as peaceful as possible initially
- Do Intake questions
- Do a sound session based on the information and energy from the intake questions
- Discuss how effective it was for releasing the issues
- Visualize the issue completely gone and do sound to resonate it
- Make the sound of the new life, completely healed and then do celebration
Opening the Session
- Set sacred space if you like
- Call in helpers, guides and higher beings if appropriate
- Do 3 OM’s or 3 breaths with the client to start
Creating Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration
Peace and harmony are the basis of health. When we experience a state of peace, body and mind are relaxed and the natural healing response kicks in.
(This section is good for all issues except where people are extremely fragile – CLICK HERE to see more detail)
Listening to Sounds
Full range of sound healing instruments for peace.
Listening to Music
Play Schumann Resonance sounds and music.
Play sounds of nature, white noise like ocean waves. Calming and moving towards activation.
Listen to the following CDs by David Gibson:
Water of Life
Unconditional Love
Enlightenment
Calm Sleep (if fragile)
Create a music playlist with them on Spotify or Itunes. Create a playlist of music that makes them feel positive.
Having Them Play Instruments
Any way you can get them involved and moving is the best.
Voice Work
All voice work is activating to a certain extent because it takes focus.
- Toning
- Chant and Mantra
- Voice Healing on them. You can also teach them how to voice healing on themselves.
Sounds on the Body
- Tuning forks on Acupuncture points of particular meridians.
- Sound Tables/Lounges and/or Sound Pillows are incredibly effective for accessing peace and a state of well-being. Test the volume and amount of vibration first. Start with extremely low-level vibration.
Sounds for Peace
- Sounds on the body are the best: Vibroacoustics, tuning forks, Tibetan bowls, drums, etc.
- Put them on VibroAcoustics devices: Sound Tables / Sound Lounges / Sound Vests / Sound Pillows / Sound Dolphins.
- Play a hand drum really close to the body… especially in their metabolism rhythm.
- Play Tibetan Bowls on the body – especially big ones (10-12”).
- Tuning forks around the aura and also on the bottom of the feet.
- Place tuning forks on specific acupuncture / acupressure points.
- Play Schumann tuning forks on both sides of each vertebrae. Let the forks fade out on both sides of each vertebrae.
Brainwave Entrainment
- Do an assessment to find their metabolism and have them listen to Binaural Beats in Beta tuned to them. Play it on a sound bed, if possible.
By finding the right frequency and properly calibrating, brainwave entrainment has been shown to be extremely beneficial in both children and adults with ADHD! A study by Harold Russel PhD and John Carter PhD, at the University of Houston, in which they used brainwave entrainment to treat ADHD along with other learning disorders showed that after a short period of treatment there was a 5-7 point increase in IQ and a study with Susan Othmer and Dr. Siefried found in a controlled study of ADHD children, using this beta training produced average IQ increases of 23%.
Psychologist, Michael Joyce used brainwave entrainment with 30 children and saw vast improvements in reading levels and a half a year advancement in grade level. He also observed substantial improvements in attention and reduction in impulsivity and variability.
Movement and Sound
- Exercise with power sounds. Mellow exercise with sounds.
- Get them to move little - Get up and dance to their favorite music - discover new musical preferences.
- Play percussion or long tones on a synthesizer combined with their movement of stress releasing body movements from Chi Gong and other energy exercises.
Other
A student has been working with my 5 year old grandson who shows signs of having ADHD. He was tested at school and they indicated that more than likely he has the disorder. He sometimes displays a very loud, hyperactive and disruptive behavior with a lot of anger, striking out with emotions. His behavior is acted out mostly at home. She has taught him the vowel/chakra sounds which he likes to chant, (especially after he listens to a voice healing), the Five Tibetan Warrior Syllables, and the mantra “Hu”. They tone together as he plays the Tibetan Bowls. He enjoys listening to several of David’s CD’s. He uses them along with his sounds when he is angry, frustrated, hyper, and when he wants quiet time or getting ready to go to sleep. His favorite sound is Dza followed by Hu, and Ram. He has shown improvement with his behavior and he is managing his anger and frustration.
Self Discovery and Transformation
After getting them to a state of peace/activation, discuss the issues and triggers along with ideas for dealing with them with sound. You can wait and do the intake questions at this point.
Releasing the Emotions behind the ADHD
- Stuck emotions can create the ADHD.
- Encourage the client to make the sound of how they feel, expressing different emotions with different sounds, voice and or instrumental. Beginning with helping someone find their voice to sound their thoughts, feelings and emotions as a space to let them leave the body and mind with the sound. Using voice opens a huge landscape for someone to release the emotions responsible for the flood of stress hormones the body creates while in fight or flight.
- Emotional expression with sound.
- Teach them to do sound on themselves.
- Letting the ADHD sing - it doesn’t have to be words.
- Make the sound of the emotion with the intention of releasing it.
- Make the sound of the emotion and slowly transform it into a beautiful harmonious sound.
- Make the sound that the part of the body that’s holding the emotion needs.
- Talk about how to do compassion. Make the sound of compassion for those that have hurt you and compassion for yourself.
- Being overtly self-critical can be another factor in ADHD. If you are scared of what others think (a common cause), then do an exercise around self- acceptance and being whole on your own. Make the sound of it.
- Try Laugh therapy.
- Do any of the 10 voice techniques for releasing stuck emotions.
- Express painful sounds, moans, screams, wails and crying.
Get in Body
- Bring them into an awareness of their body
- Walk them through a meditation to feel each part of the body.
- Find a vowel sound for each part of the body (out loud or silently).
Breathwork with Sound
- Breathe deeply and make a sound on the out breath. Especially effective to have them breath to their home note once you have found it (Brainwave Assessment above).
- Breathwork with instruments. Play the musical 5th on the in breath and the home note on the out breath and have them breath along with it.
Higher Perspective and Intuition
- What part can be reframed
- ADHD isn’t a punishment - it’s a messenger, a teacher.
- We have every answer within ourselves.
- Whatever it is you need to teach me is OK.
- Talk to your inner physician. Talk to the ADHD like a wayward child that needs tenderness. Ask it to help figure out its frequency.
- Assume it will be gone.
- Access Source with sound and let Spirit take care of it - sound that comes from somewhere else.
- Send love to it
- Send love to your own heart.
- Do a ritual and bury it. Important for people to have hope.
- Imagine what it would feel like to have the ADHD completely gone and make the sound of it.
Homework with Sound and Music
Ideas that the person can do on their own.
- Create a list of sounds to make and exercises to do.
- Think about Sound Healing as a lifestyle.
- Zoom yoga and groups online.
- ExpressionsWellBeing.com
Listening and Playing Sound and Music
- Find sound healing instruments you like, purchase them and play them daily.
- Acquire and play sound healing instruments daily – especially activating ones.
- Create an iTunes, Pandora or Spotify list of songs that are uplifting for you and listen daily.
- Pay more attention to detail with sound. Notice the frequency and rhythms of things around you.
- Listen to music throughout the day.
- Reduce excess noise from TV, children, chaos. Try to find moments of complete stillness and silence.
- Go to a peaceful place with sound at least 3 times per day. Preferably 5 or more.
- Listen to brainwave CDs tuned to you: Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma.
- Do chakra treatment with Sound.
- Do a meditation with sound to get into a place of peace & power. From that place of power figure out your plan. Return to this place of power 1-3 times per day.
- Listen to the following CDs by David Gibson:
- Water of Life
- Awakening
- Enlightenment
- Chakra Journey
- Pachelbel Canon
- Anti-Depressant
- Low Mood
- Listen to nature sound CDs or Youtube (crickets, waves, brook, etc.)
- Go to a Sound Bath.
- Take a class in Sound Healing.
Sound on the Body
- Get a Vibroacoustic sound table, sound lounge or sound vest and go on daily.
- Learn acupressure points and use them…. Especially with tuning forks.
Voice Work
- Do toning daily. Even small 15 min three times a week.
- Do Chant and Mantras each day.
- Try the Chakra Tuner app.
- Give them a chart of the bija mantras or other tones that correspond to the chakras and suggest that they tone each chakra three times, and to do this practice each day.
Breath Work
- Do daily breathing exercises
- Put on 3 songs and breath to it
- Breathe to the rhythm of walking in nature
- Do Prana three part breath
Nature
Walk in nature and listen to the natural sounds.
Mental/Emotional
Enquire - what’s the worst thing about having ADHD? Then replace it with light filled, peaceful sounds. What’s the best thing about feeling healthy? Make the sound of feeling healthy.
Emotional Vocal Expression
- Use your own voice to express feelings and help resonate to a new level.
- Make the sound of how you are feeling and slowly transform it to love and light.
- Use Voice and tone your way through periods of intense feelings.
- Kindly acknowledge your condition, allowing it to be honored, heard and seen. Make the sound of it and move it towards a more desirable sound.
- Make the sound of compassion for yourself.
- Do ceremony / ritual practice to release with sound.
- Send love to your heart with sound (out loud or silently).
- Tone, Chant or Mantra 8 minutes 3 times per day -- or more.
Follow Up
- Let them know they can call or email anytime.
- Have them let you know how they are doing by phone or email.
- Check in on them weekly or more often.
- Schedule a followup session.
- Email a list of followup questions.
- Go through all of the things they are doing and how they are working.
Treatments Other Than Sound
Techniques that you might add to the treatment. These techniques might also inspire new ways that you might also incorporate sound with them.
The following organizations have more information on ADHD:
Help Them Get Organized
- Set a detailed list of things to do.
- Set 10 easily achievable lifestyle change goals.
- Help them make a schedule daily, weekly, monthly.
- Suggest time and frequency.
- Give them a calendar.
Body Work
- Do a Somatic Release
- Stay active
- Exercise
- Exercise is so important. Yoga or meditation also. Boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways. How much exercise do you need? Work with what they do first and build from here.
- Do daily breathing exercises
- Work with Acupuncture / acupressure points
- Yoga Nidra - Bringing body and mind into centralized focus
- Do hikes
Do barefoot walking to ground - Get hugs
- Stretch
- Get a massage or body work
Do yoga - Craniosacral therapy
Mental / Emotional Work
- Regumed.com
- Silva Technique
- Bernie Siegel – Love medicine and Miracles
- Karl Simonson
- Use your favorite techniques to go to peace and stillness multiple times per day (10 or more is best)
- Current mainstream treatments include psychotherapy
- Honor yourself and accept all the emotions you feel
- Make your own personal self care list. All the things that could help you when you are feeling unwell. Could include:
- talk to a friend
- have a bowl of warm soup
- a hot bath
- burn essential oils
- read a good book, etc.
- Do what they love at least once a day.
- Do mindfulness exercises.
- Applying conscious language - Stop the mind by saying stop.
- Journaling - Keep an account of what triggers and what helps.
- Write down something they are looking forward to. Write down things they are grateful for at the end of each day.
- Watch a movie:
- A movie you love
- Comedy or Hero movies
- Watch “Whose Line is it Anyway” (comedy)
- Do free association writing
- Do Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping while holding acceptance of emotions.
- Do laughing yoga.
- Do guided visualizations.
- Do any type of meditation. Consider a meditation retreat.
- Do a vision board. Write down in detail what your life will be like once all effects of the ADHD are gone.
- Check out the book and do the exercises in “The Emotion Code.”
- HK autographic kinetics – Kinesiology. Go to a place of trauma. Express emotion and touch. Get information about anything that is locked in the body. Self, life. Sweep the system and replace it with the new.
- EMDR - Free app to download! https://www.hereglobalrelief.orgConsider seeing a naturopath, herbalist or acupuncturist
Creative Work
- Be creative - drawing, painting, doodling, writing
- Draw the ADHD
- Find a creative project to do
Social
- Stay connected with others socially.
- Find Support Groups - Facebook, Meetup, etc.
- Create your own support group.
Energy Work
- Reiki
- EMDR
- Create custom affirmations such as:
- I am here in my body and all is well.
- I am connected to Source energy at all times.
- There is time, space and resources for everything I want to do.
- I belong.
- I have what it takes.
- Cranial Sacral.
- Cut cords with anyone that you are connected with around the addiction.
Nature
- Spend more time with animals
- Perhaps a therapy dog or cat
Color
Try visualizing different colors.
Crystals
Rose quartz crystal to carry or keep near bed, desk etc. Black tourmaline also to dispel negative energy.
Environment
A change of environment/ scenery and travel.
Nutrition / Supplements
- Disperse Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Viruses
- Plant Based diet
- Herbs and Supplements
- Use Essential oils
Service
- Be of service.
- Do something to help others (maybe grocery shopping, painting, cleaning, etc).
- Volunteer.
- Send love and light to others.
Ideas for Research
- Find the research that has already been done (Jeffrey Thompson)
- Do a clinical study using Binaural Beats on all of the different types of ADHD.