Is it just me, or is anyone else feeling victimized by being turned into the hottest new demographic to peddle all kinds of crap to because we have ADHD?

When I was at my most vulnerable (right after my diagnosis), I went looking for help only to be blasted by the online Tsunami of advertising. Is it just us, or do people with depression, bipolar, anxiety disorders, and so on, get hit on like this?

ADHD Gadgets, Gizmos and Gotta-haves

ADHD planning software, online communities like DaVinci Nation that charge $15.95/month for membership, gadgets, gizmos and thingamajigs are all available, and range from insignificant to insane prices.

I’m not denying that some of these things might actually help, I’m just saying that there’s way too much of it, way too little evidence, and far too much hype to convince me that I should empty my pockets of bills and fill them up with beepers.

Alice in ADD Wonderland

I’m feeling like Alice in ADD Wonderland; I’ve slipped down the rabbit hole and become a member of the most lucrative market for any piece of junk that goes beep, automatically runs my life, or vibrates (ok, anything that vibrates will get a fair hearing from me, see my post on Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Part III: Sex to see why).

Let me take you on a trip through the looking glass. Here’s a small sampling of what we’ll find:

“Special” watches, $59.95 to $89.95 (USD). Allegedly improve focus, memory and sense of time. Some ring, some vibrate, some send text messages. Too bad I always lose my watch.

Graphical clock, about $25.00. Uses a diminishing red disc to graphically indicate time passing. As minutes tick by, the red pie slice gradually disappears. If you’re diagnosed late in life, you’re already in a panic about how much time is left to get things right. This sounds like the recipe for a panic attack to me. Like watching your own death approach…

Keyless lock, $300.00. A door lock that substitutes numerical codes or fingerprints for keys. How can this work when part of my problem is poor memory?  I’ll just forget the combo. And many of us are klutzes, so when we burn our fingers then where will we be?

You can quickly change the code or fingerprint profiles.

What?  Just confuse myself further?! No, thanks.

Goof-proof garage door closer, $89.99. First, who’re you callin’ a “goof?”! This gizmo uses a timer to close the door automatically. Oh great. I’ll be coming home at some totally random time, and sooner or later, I’ll arrive just as the garage door smashes down on my vehicle. Who’s the genius who thought up this one? Good thing I have no garage. No house, either, come to think of it.

Key finder, $15.00. Use to find up to 36 items, any object that you tend to misplace – TV remote, eyeglasses, or telephone handset. Attach an electronic fob to the item, press a button on the base unit, and follow the beeps. Now, this one sounds promising. I’ll use it to keep track of my memory, find the projects I start and never finish, recover that missing friendship, and beep for my long-lost self-esteem. Cool.

Next week, we’ll feature a handy-dandy item that’s supposed to save you hundreds of dollars, just by investing a little time and money. Look for it in Zoë’s Pet Peeve #8. Act now to bookmark this blog and don’t be disappointed!

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techise (April 23, 2010)

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 23, 2010)

Larry King (April 24, 2010)

Lisa Cahone (April 24, 2010)

pet (April 24, 2010)

Kelly Babcock (April 24, 2010)

From Psych Central's website:
Zoë's Pet Peeves: Fear-mongering to ADHDers | ADHD from A to Zoë (May 7, 2010)

From Psych Central's website:
Zoë's Pet Peeves: Santa, the Tooth Fairy and ADHD | ADHD from A to Zoë (May 21, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 26 Feb 2011