So tell me: How many times have you been scrolling your phone, only to stumble on an ad that promises you that, if you use it, you’ll overcome procrastination and move past your ADHD? I’m not talking about apps that promise to help you with one aspect, like time management or focus. I mean they say they’ll help you with ALL of it with a tailored plan that will fix all of your problems for the low, low price of 29.99 a month and your soul.
A lot, I’m betting, because companies like this exist in alarming numbers, and it’s very easy to get taken in by them. Just a quick search on BBB, Trustpilot, or Reddit will show that these places charge exorbitant prices to simply send you to a half-assed app or a generic PDF. Some may have an actual app, but that app isn’t anything special or different, and it’s definitely not worth the price. And pretty much all of them will “accidentally” charge you more money and refuse refunds without being chased down. It’s a mess, and it’s not worth going through, so let’s see if we can’t stop this from happening to you.
These go by a number of names, and I feel like every time I find one, another pops up in its place like some sort of second-rate Hydra creature, so instead, I’m going to show you exactly how to tell if you’re looking into your new favorite app, or a scam that’ll take your money and leave you without answers. Of course, as always, you can watch me talk about it, or listen below or on your favorite podcast platform.
The first sign: The design
All of these “apps” generally have the same website design. Simply between the three best known at the moment – Wisey, Mellow Flow, and Today Is the Day, – there’s an obvious similarity between the look of the front pages. All have the same curvy, “fun” font. All have the fun little cartoon characters, and they all have very simple front pages with barely anything on them. This is usually the first sign that you’re dealing with one of those ADHD apps.
If the websites do have other pages, the photos are often stolen from other places. Mellow Flow’s “team photo,” when reverse image-searched, calls up a bunch of stock photos. Virtue Map’s featured coaches are all different people across the internet who don’t list Virtue Map as a company they work with at all, and who I’d be willing to bet don’t know that they’re being posted on the site to begin with.
Nothing on these sites is real, and it takes a little sleuthing to find, but this is a safe way to tell that you’re dealing with bullshit right off the bat.
The second sign: There’s always a generic quiz
One thing every single one of these companies has in common is their quiz. And if it sounds weird that I didn’t say “quizZES,” it’s because it’s always the same quiz with the same very generic questions. You’ll be asked about your level of self-esteem, how often you procrastinate, how you feel about it…all things that are super surface-level, all things that they’ve already guessed the answer to based on who their intended audience is. No matter your answer, you’ll be told that you’re a SUPER MEGA HORRIBLE PROCRASTINATOR, but never fear, there is a personalized plan that they can give you that will help to fix it. Then you either wind up sending them money and getting very little, or sending them money and then getting charged more money.
This quiz is nothing but a funnel, and isn’t actually going to help you get to the bottom of your ADHD. Your brain is too complicated for that.
The third sign: The app is made in Eastern Europe or another far-off country
I couldn’t think of how else to put this, but I want to make it clear that I’m not calling out people from Eastern Europe or whatever. That said, every one of these companies I found, save one, is listed in Estonia, Lithuania, Cyprus, or somewhere similar. You can find out where they’re from by clicking on “terms and conditions, “ on the front page. The one that I found listed in Delaware was still easy to find on the BBB’s website and…let’s just say they’re not in the greatest of standing there, either.
The truth is, for the legitimate apps I’ve tested, I have never been led to a website that wasn’t complete. I have never been unable to talk to someone in sales or leadership. I have always been able to find upfront pricing, and I have never had anything promise to fix my every problem. When in doubt, if you’re checking out an app, nope out if you can’t find a listed price, or if you’re asked for money before you even get to see what’s being offered.
These companies could, at some point, change their tactics, but they can’t change your vigilance. So make sure that whatever you’re using is straightforward and honest, and if they aren’t, run – don’t walk – in the opposite direction.
And if you’re from one of these listed scam companies: screw you for messing with people who need genuine help. May your shoes always smell of piss and I hope no dogs allow you to pet them.
I said what I said.
If you think I might be the one to help you, check out your options here to see how we may work together. If not, that’s cool. Please just take care of yourself.
