ADDers often have problems waking up, due in large part to difficulties in turning off their racing minds before going to sleep.
Some people need the more hardcore Alarm clocks.
Others may prefer a more gradual, less violent approach. One possible clock is the Progression Wake Up Clock by Hammacher Schlemmer. via ADDitude Magazine
More gentle than the jarring noise of traditional alarms, this clock uses a gradual increase in ambient light, stimulating aromas, and peaceful sounds from nature to awaken sleepers. At 30 minutes before wake-up, the clock’s light begins to glow softly, brightening over the next half-hour.
Fifteen minutes before wake-up, the clock generates your choice of six nature sounds (including ocean surf, thunderstorm, white noise, spring rain, mountain stream, and forest stream). The cycle concludes with a chime (that gradually increases in volume) to wake the most stubborn sleepers.
Sometimes a gradual transition in waking up may lead to a happier (or at least less grumpy) mood in the morning.
Of course those of us with ADD often have a back up alarm, that we have to get out of bed to turn off, just in case.
If you’ve had trouble getting up in the morning, what alarm clock has worked well for you?
I’m an Adult ADD’er, so thanks for this blog, it makes me thankfull that i’m not the only one.
I use my mobile phone, and my wifes phone as a backup. It usually takes me about 20 minutes to wake up and get out of bed.
I had to start using my wifes phone since it was possible for me to hit that snooze button on my phone every nine minutes for up to an hour.
It’s hard for my wife and I to wake up in the dark in the winter. The progression clock was far and away the cheapest option we found. Unfortunately, there was a reason: it’s cheaply made. The light doesn’t increase smoothly, but in four discrete and jarring steps. That would be livable, but the controls make it impossible to wake to just light without the awful nature sounds (cheap sounds plus cheap speaker does not equal pleasant morning). I considered surgically removing the speaker, but my wife pointed out it would be stupid. The good news is, Hammacher Schlemmer has a great return policy.
My advice: sleep is important, and if progressive wake up will help your sleep skip a few dinners out, buy your coffee at the gas station, and save for something nicer.
While the CD Clock Radio my husband purchased does not have the light effect, it does have several features useful for the ADD adult, from which both of us benefit.
It is Phillips AJ 3980 and can be found on numerous web sites. You can choose the CD track or radio station you wish to waken you or the alarm.
You can also choose the level of sound you wish it to reach for your specific need. The sound begins softly and gradually incereases to the decible level you set that wil waken you.
We both are people with ADD and between us we cover all the criteria. He is adamant about the alarm clock ahd this is the 5th or 6th one in about 18 months. We highly recommend this product he has absolutely no complaints about it.
Wow! I had no idea that my difficulty in waking up in the morning had anything to do with my ADHD!!! Now I feel a bit better about my “achilles heal”!
I stumbled upon this site while looking for a “wake-up” CD that won’t jar me awake – since that totally doesn’t work. I’m the snooze button queen! I am trying the more gradual approach, though I found that even waking up to “Here Comes the Sun” was a little much. I am experimenting with relaxing alpha-wave rainforest music followed by “Here Comes the Sun.” We’ll see how that works! Otherwise, I may give this alarm clock a try… but wouldn’t I need to make sure that the bedroom is dark in the morning to start with?
I just came upon this site looking for a gradual alarm clock for my daughter who has the Hardest time getting up. Though I was diagnosed in my 20’s with ADHD, I NEVER KNEW this was part of having it. I use my phone with nature sounds & it does have a flashing light, too. (Samsung Galaxy S3 has the BEST Nature sounds & I don’t want to give it up because of it!) My daughter has some “signs” of ADD, so yhis has given me a lot to think about. Thank you. (& to those who made comments.) I am excited to look at other things on this site. 🙂
You’re welcome Darcy, ADHD is 80% genetic so good idea to get her screened by someone who knows ADHD, many medical professionals do not. Ask your closest ADHD support group for some names. Good you found something that works for you.