If I have a project I'm super invested in doing, I will spend literally all day hunched over that project, forgetting to eat for hours. Its better to be hyperfocused on schoolwork than on a video game. They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. I don't just want to think about trying it someday; I research the fuck out of it to make sure I get exactly the right supplies/equipment/software/etc for whatever that is, and use the right methods to do the thing, and immerse myself in every aspect of the thing, buy a bunch of shit with grand ideas of it being My One Passion, launch into it, doing the thing all day, every day for a while, and be moderately good at it, then. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. Problems that a person experiencing hyperfixation may experience include: Insomnia. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. Mindfulness and being in the present with your thoughts can help you identify those behaviors before they gain momentum. Oh, my sweet summer child. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. Some people may forget to eat, engage in self-care or grooming, and suffer from insomnia as they spend hours thinking about the thing they have become obsessed with. Still, the person with ADHD may also experience hyperfixation. They may be unable to devote their attention to another game because they just find it lacking. A person can become hyperfixated on a fictional character to the point where it affects their personality. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. Sims. In both cases, it is incredibly disruptive to ones ability to conduct their life, whether its a child doing their homework or an adult trying to move on past a relationship. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. Because, of course, Id garden again next year, right? For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. SUPPORT ADDITUDE 2. I fertilized and researched and kept records. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane. I didnt jog three times a week. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. Furthermore, they offer such depth that one can easily fool themselves into believing they are doing something productive with their time by investing so heavily into them. For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. Our mission is to be your trusted advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness. Their performance with the task typically improves. Its like flipping a light switch on and off. Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. I didnt plant a few plants. Monitor your time and your money. Were bouncing. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. Yes. A person who is hyperfocused on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their time. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. Though hyperfocus may be on something productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. Thank you. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. Then, they keep returning to those daydreams as often as possible because its preferable to dealing with the chaos or pain of their current situation. ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. Here they are: 1. On the other hand, defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility and a short attention span. Oh, my sweet summer child We can pay attention. People addicted to or hyperfocused on these games could fall into them for days, neglecting themselves, their responsibilities, and even their children to the point that the children were removed from the home by protective services. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. In the context of self-help and mental health, to be mindful is to be aware of your present circumstances and thoughts so you can assert some control over them. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. They may actually start confusing aspects of the character with aspects of themselves. They may focus on foods they find particularly appealing or interesting to the exclusion of other foods. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. Relationships and friendships may suffer because the hyperfocused individual is pouring all their attention and energy into their focus to the exclusion of all else. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. Im an overall better human being. I read books sometimes. My life. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There are ways to self-manage hyperfixation to an extent. Press J to jump to the feed. I had to make a promise to myself that I wont spend over x amount on certain interests/activities unless Ive thought about it for more than six months to a year or else I would spend large amounts of money for things that will inevitably collect dust at my house. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can. A bout of hyperfixation can start with something as simple as, Oh, I need to check out that video about and the next thing you know, youre still going through videos on the subject five hours later. However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. Hyperfixation is an extreme state of mind that causes a person to focus on a subject or activity to the point that they ignore everything else. Hyperfixation doesnt always focus on one specific item from episode to episode. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. I do it all the time! We often stop when something becomes too hard: I quit gardening, for example, when a bad tomato plant gave all my prized basil fungal rot. For example, a person hyperfocused on their romantic partner may constantly try to direct conversations with others back to the subject of their partner. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. They may regularly cycle those thoughts over and over, picking them apart, examining, re-examining, and thinking about them from different angles. My garden now stands choked with weeds and a few hardy stands of mint and cilantro. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? The wreaths have unraveled. Over the years, I've learned a few ways to keep my hobbies from going too far and to help me keep my life in balance. For example, a person hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and heal. Are your expectations realistic? But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? We can pay attention. The hyperfocused person will likely find their focus distracting. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. And stop. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . - The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. THIS. I think it's why I'm not as successful career-wise as I'd like to be but I can't stop myself. Here they are: 1. Food is a common hyperfixation for people with ADHD. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. In some cases, they may only want to eat that specific food in a specific way because it feels wrong to do otherwise. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. The person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about their focus. Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine, Perimenopause Problems: How Changing Hormones Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms, ADHD and Addiction: The Truth About Substance Abuse. It goes for interests too. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. You Have Social Anxiety Disorder. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? Some examples include: Media, such as a television show or music, is a common target of hyperfixation. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. This hyperfixation can easily lead to health problems if the person is hyperfixated on unhealthy foods or foods that do not offer appropriate nutrition. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. I weeded. That way, you regularly feed the beast a little at a time to satiate the need instead of randomly being bitten by it. Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. Im healthier. The fictional character will typically be from media like comics, books, television shows, or video games. If those numbers get too high, back off and find balance. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. While that isnt necessarily bad in small doses, it is bad when youre doing it for multiple hours a day, in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping, or when youre trying to work. Just kindaget bored. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. Video games may also be another source of hyperfocus. I get obsessed with an activity and its all I do/read about for however long Im interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). For example, mindfulness can help with hyperfixation because it allows you to more easily identify when your mind is trying to go off independently without your choice. They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. Here is how I work to strike a better balance in my ADHD brain. Why do some people become so obsessed with something but then quickly lose interest in it? If they see you slipping into an obsession, ask them to gently help you and write yourself a note beforehand explaining to yourself that you need their help and that you need to step back if they recommend it. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. The person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. I find something that I'm really interested in. We cant do things halfway; we jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and usually the latter follows the former. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. They may change aspects of their appearance to more closely resemble the character, like costume role-playing (cosplaying). My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. Manage Settings Each of those hobbies, while they lasted, turned into an obsession. This is so true. You can do it, too. Since 1998, millions of parents and adults have trusted ADDitude's expert guidance and support for living better with ADHD and its related mental health conditions. T pay attention to another game because they just find it lacking circumstance that is impossible, to! 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