What Does ADHD Hyperfocus Feel Like?
Hyperfocus can feel like you're "in the zone" completing an activity: when everything else fades away and you're entirely concentrated on the work in front of you. Hyperfocus, or being entirely involved in an enjoyable activity while blocking out other distractions, is typically accompanied with feelings of happiness and tranquility. People sometimes find it difficult to break away from a task that is delightful, extremely intriguing, and fulfilling to continue.
How Does ADHD Hyperfocus Affect Kids and Adults?
Hyperfocus can manifest differently in each individual, although there are certain similarities. If someone is hyperfocused, they may tune out everything else around them. Children may not respond when parents or other adults attempt to catch their attention or speak to them. In certain circumstances, they might not even stop to use the restroom. Adults may forget to eat or drink, and they may become so engrossed in a task that they ignore other duties at work or with their families.
Common ADHD Hyperfixations
Many individuals use the terms "hyperfixation" and "hyperfocus" interchangeably, yet they mean different things. Hyperfocus refers to being completely involved and focused on a topic or activity, similar to a "flow state," with good sentiments and clear goals. Hyperfixation is an intense and continuous concentration on an object or activity that can be highly pleasant but can soon become uncontrollable, resulting in negative effects such as ignoring other demands or chores.
People with ADHD are likely to develop hyperfixation
Anything can become a target of hyperfixation, including your favorite pastimes, video games, or even something as simple as watching the clouds pass by or casual bird watching. Hyperfixation can even be directed at a person, especially in the setting of a romantic relationship.
What causes the ADHD brain to hyperfocus?
Hyperfocus can occur in anyone, regardless of whether they have ADHD. People having symptoms of ADHD are more inclined to hyperfocus than those without it. This is because of the way the ADHD brain functions. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is found in lower concentrations in the ADHD brain. Less dopamine affects how the brain perceives reward and manages attention. Because of this variation in attention regulation, people with ADHD are more prone to bouts of hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is not limited to persons with ADHD. Additional factors have been linked to hyperfocus, although hyperfocus is not one of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Hyperfocus has also been linked to being younger and having a lesser degree of schooling, implying that there may be additional factors to consider.
Benefits of ADHD: Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus can be beneficial for many people. Benefits include:
Long-term attention leads to increased productivity, motivation, and engagement.
Higher levels of tenacity on tasks.
Improved learning and memory retention
Hyperfocus can be used for good rather than bad.
Downsides of ADHD Hyperfocus
While hyperfocus has some advantages, it can also be detrimental, particularly when it develops hyperfixation. Someone who is obsessed on one hobby may neglect other things, such as schoolwork or employment responsibilities. Hyperfixation may also result in
Symptoms may include difficulty in time management and transitioning between activities.
Excessive attention for little matters that are not relevant
Losing touch with the surroundings.
Ignoring obligations or personal needs
ADHD manifests differently in each individual, therefore it's critical to understand the inclination to hyperfixate and the distinctions between hyperfocus and hyperfixation.
ADHD Can Hyperfocus in Children Be Trained?
Children can be taught how to moderate their hyperfocus by modeling appropriate conduct or working with them in the following ways:Creating a list of daily goals, and even color-Coding a list of priorities.Setting alerts on their watches or phones to assist them transition to the next activity, or speaking with their teacher about helping them move on to a different work.Taking many brief breaks when working on lengthy assignments.Reminding youngsters to leave an activity and actively helping them shift to a different work by turning off the television or game, or removing the object
What Can You Do to Improve Your ADHD Hyperfocus?
There are several steps you may do to assist manage your hyperfocus and attention. Knowing how to regulate hyperfocus can help you avoid unpleasant consequences.Identify your triggers.Knowing what causes you to become hyperfocused will help you recognize the risk of hyperfocus from the outset. If you know you lose track of time and become unaware of external occurrences when you play video games, you can take extra precautions to manage your time and attention before you begin playing.
External Cues and Alarms
Setting alerts on your phone can assist "pull you out" of hyperfocus and remind you of other responsibilities. It serves as a tangible reminder that you need to focus on other tasks.Sharing your medication of ADHD and hyperfocus with others, as well as asking them to remind you of a task if they see you are preoccupied with anything else, can be beneficial.
Is hyperfocus common in other conditions
Other diseases associated with hyperfocus include autism, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, with TBI, ADHD sequel to TBI has been observed, making it difficult to determine if the hyperfocusing behavior is caused by TBI or ADHD.A 2020 study indicated that hyperfocus was experienced by persons with and without ADHD, however there was a favorable link with features commonly identified in those with ADHD. it's common to hear about "flow states" and being "in the flow," which have the same properties as hyperfocus. These phrases are frequently used positively and as states to strive for.
However, hyperfocus coupled with a psychiatric illness is frequently portrayed as a difficult state that may necessitate training to handle. This pathologizing (classifying something as psychologically wrong or ill) of hyperfocus within these disorders may be impacted by clinical biases in psychology and mental health.
More research is needed on the environmental, motivational, and clinical elements of hyperfocus in people with and without ADHD.
Summary
While many people believe that ADHD inhibits people from focusing on tasks, people with ADHD are more prone to hyperfocus on specific activities.
Hyperfocus is a heightened state of focus, similar to a "flow" in which happy emotions are released and focus is increased to the point of disregarding other duties or activities that must be accomplished.
While hyperfocus has benefits, it also has drawbacks, and learning to regulate it can help you use it to your advantage while reducing the possibility of bad consequences.
