B-Calm Sounds Review

If any of you wander over to my profile page here, you will see that I identify myself as being ADHD as well as on the Spectrum. So, I have problems with concentration and paying attention, alternatively randomly wandering off and hyper-focusing, and problems with some sensory issues. I may not be as sensitive as others on the spectrum, but I have my days where the smallest thing can distract me beyond reason and I get nothing done (batteries and spoons). Of course, this doesn't help my anxiety issues.

So I was really interested in B-Calm Sound when they were on the AWA Radio Show not too long ago. Okay, I'll admit it; I was skeptical. I've been in and out of anxiety therapy for a couple of years and for the most part, I've picked up a couple of breathing exercises, relaxation guides and alternating medications. I've also tried those nifty relaxation music tapes; I tended to turn them off since they were being the sensory aggravation. So you can understand I was initially skeptical about their AudioSedation tracks.

However, I was willing to give them a try. I browsed the site, looked over the sample clips, and asked about the "running shower" track that I heard about on the AWA show. I was interested in this particular track because I know from experience that I concentrate better while sitting in the bathroom with the shower going. However, it's not released yet, but lucky me, I get to review an advance copy. Woot!

So here goes:

My Review on B-Calm Sounds Running Shower as an Autistic and ADHD Adult

Since I'm taking courses, I decided to try the track out when working on my course work. So for a few days I listened while not taking my medication, and while I was taking my medication. Now, this is probably because of the difference between shower heads. I'm used to a stronger water flow, from both the shower and the faucet.
I'll also notice that during my initial testing period, I was going through a major mental block, so my concentration and attention, not to mention "functionality" was severely impaired, even on medication.

Description

The track is of a gentle, continuously running shower. When I put it on and started listing to it, I began to feel relaxed and more at ease. Actually, to be honest, when playing it at night, I started to feel sleepy.
I'll also note that the track acts as a filter more than a wall of sound. While the volume setting affects this, in general, I was able to listen to my parents, hear the dryer go off downstairs, and hear the doorbell while listening to the track. A slight side effect of it at this filter-type volume is that I would often think that it was raining outside.
Of course, that's if a person wants to use it that way. It's also very pleasant as a complete sound block.

Anxiety

So during my initial testing, which I gave feedback to B-Calm, I found that my anxiety was noticeably decreased, both with and without my medications. Now, it didn't completely eliminate the anxiety, but it did help me to relax, take a deep breath and keep things under control.

Concentration

I found that, other than relaxing me, the track did not do much for my concentration during my initial testing period. This may have been because of what I noted above, that I was going through a mental block. Also, as I continued to test out the track outside of the mental block, because of the type of work that I was doing while listening to it.

What I discovered was that as a concentration aid, the track had very little effects (both on and off medications) when I was doing work, such as writing assignments, articles, doing research and exercises. For that, it was useful for reducing and managing anxiety, but I saw no noticeable difference in my concentration.

However, I saw results when I started listening to the track when doing course readings and going through my lecture notes. It wasn't as strong as when I sit in the bathroom, listening to the tap in the bath running, but I could read and understand the materials easier. I saw a definite improvement to my concentration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would say that the track is very promising, as an anxiety reduction aid and selectively to help concentration, even by way of reducing stress. I think that there can be some improvements, such as a stronger "water flow" that would produce greater results, at least in myself, but as is, the track does act as a filter for stressing sounds and reducing anxiety. Personally, I am very pleased at the results that I have had with the track.



A note of caution for my readers, I would not recommend using this instead of medications or other treatments for anxiety. This is just a tool to help, not completely remove, and this is my opinion as an individual.