More than an 'Earworm'

Have you ever had an 'earworm'? That's a song that gets stuck in your head and sticks around all day, coming back when you least expect it. Now imagine that, but it just won't go away; it's like you hear music when there's nothing actually playing.  Just 0.16% of the general population reports musical hallucinations, but having ADHD is a risk factor for being in that percentage.

So what are they?  They are similar to auditory hallucinations, which can involve hearing voices or other sounds that aren't really there, but only relate to music. Musical hallucinations are most common in older adults and people with hearing loss or neurological conditions, but they can happen to anyone. Sometimes, they can be triggered by stress, medication, or other factors - like having ADHD.

Recent research has suggested that people with ADHD may be more prone to musical hallucinations because of the way their brains process auditory stimuli. Studies have found that people with ADHD are more sensitive to sounds and may have a harder time filtering out background noise. This can make it more likely for them to hear music that isn't actually there. Additionally, some medications used to treat ADHD, such as methylphenidate, have been linked to musical hallucinations as a side effect [1].

If you're experiencing musical hallucinations, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or a professional psychologist. They can help you determine whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or another underlying condition, and recommend appropriate treatment options. Treatment will depend on the individual and the severity of their symptoms, but may include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or other forms of therapy such as mindfulness or music therapy.

The music can get really annoying as it sticks around - I should know, as I have ahd this myself for over 20 years - but there are treatment options available which really help. So if you have the experience of musical hallucinations, don't think you're alone or that it's weird, it's actually normal and more common in people with ADHD.

If you've had this yourself, pelase chare in the comments below, because there's not a lot of information on the internet directly from people who experience this. Join the conversation and make it easier for others to share too!

[1] Scholten, M. R., Aleman, A., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2021). Auditory hallucinations in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Psychiatry, 64(1), e3. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.26.