Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. However, you may also consider thoughts you dont want. 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.. I think it's why I'm not as successful career-wise as I'd like to be but I can't stop myself. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. 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. Tags: Fall 2021 Issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus. Hyperfocus is also closely related to the flow state. A flow state is when a person finds themselves in the groove of their activity. Some of us cant do things halfway; we have to jump in with both feet. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. My garden now stands choked with weeds and a few hardy stands of mint and cilantro. ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. Its better to be hyperfocused on schoolwork than on a video game. Im healthier. This is so true. 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. Thats a key difference between a hobby and an obsession: time. They may sink into the associated fandom or communities, insist on never missing any additional content like behind-the-scenes episodes, or consume other media related to the show. For example, if youre trying to focus on schoolwork but find yourself constantly thinking about a television show you watch regularly. You Have Social Anxiety Disorder. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. We can pay attention. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. I do it all the time! 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. I ran rain or shine, day and night. This page contains affiliate links. Yes, youre having a great time. I couldnt just plant some seedlings; I made my husband till half our yard and spent hundreds of dollars on fencing, stakes, seeds, pots, and plants. Enlist family and close friends to help. Yes! The cheapest I can find is $400 so well go with that! Cue building website about axolotl care with Amazon affiliate links in order to obtain funds to sustain axolotl sanctuary. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can. The hyperfixated person will develop a strong passion for the character that may interfere with their relationships, self-care, and regular lives. Just kindaget bored. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. The person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about their focus. Self-managing hyperfixation, while helpful temporarily, will not provide the kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem will. Im no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. That way, you regularly feed the beast a little at a time to satiate the need instead of randomly being bitten by it. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. 4. I always had an excuse for shifting to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of my time. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. discord shutting down 2023. black moon lilith conjunct ascendant synastry Moreover, if your judgment process is "Feeling", as o. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. I fertilized and researched and kept records. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. Its like flipping a light switch on and off. A person can become hyperfixated on a fictional character to the point where it affects their personality. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. Something sparks me as a fun idea? About to spend 50 bucks on an adapter. The person may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. Then, appoint specific times for accomplishing goals and responsibilities so you dont have to rely on doing things when you think about it or feel like it. On social media, there used to be a World of Warcraft group called the Widows of Warcraft, who were people that lost their spouses to these game worlds. Yup. Boredom. Take some time to sit down and figure out your responsibilities. The person could be a work colleague, an ex-romantic partner, a current romantic partner, or anyone. We throw ourselves all in, whether its in crafting or exercising or cooking. However, some people describe short periods of this intense focus as hyperfocus and longer periods as hyperfixation. 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. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. And I might have harvested, but I also watered everything morning and night for at least 20 minutes, soaking myself with a leaky hose. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. 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. 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. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. Were bouncing. Each of those hobbies, while they lasted, turned into an obsession. Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine, Perimenopause Problems: How Changing Hormones Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms, ADHD and Addiction: The Truth About Substance Abuse. An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive made wreaths. Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. Dependency on the focus. Cue we need a bigger tank to house moar axolotls! Cue we need a chiller because the Australian summer is going to kill these creatures! You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. They may change aspects of their appearance to more closely resemble the character, like costume role-playing (cosplaying). I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. Depression and ADHD often feature insomnia. I have it. The next, its like it never existed. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Over the years, Ive learned a few ways to keep my hobbies from going too far and to help me keep my life in balance. I dont want what Im doing now to be just a phase but Ive thought that for every other thing I did:(, I dont want to self diagnose but I literally do this all the time, I obsess with something for weeks or months and then quickly forget about it and get bored and Im so confused why. Do some self-checks when you start something new. Bro I know Im so late to this but the YouTube thing Im undiagnosed but Im sure I have it I can relate so much I cant believe it, But Im still interested, Im just not as much because i dont too much money to throw at it, I wish I wasn't interested in mechs. 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. I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? All my life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal with it?? bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. You may find that scheduling will help impose greater structure into your life that will help positively channel your thoughts and actions. Yes, youre excited. Yes. I find something that I'm really interested in. Their performance with the task typically improves. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. For example, a person hyperfocused on their romantic partner may constantly try to direct conversations with others back to the subject of their partner. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Still, the person with ADHD may also experience hyperfixation. In an MMORPG, there is theorycrafting on how best to play your character, what skills to use and when, learning strategies, farming materials to create items and gear, spreadsheets, and mathematical analysis on what constitutes best and worst. But if you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and money you spend on it a day in a planner. 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. 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. 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. Monitor your time and your money. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. Because, of course, Id garden again next year, right? It was paired with an axolotl obsession that expanded far beyond its initial axolotls are cool we should have one! said partner who now regrets everything. This kind of hyperfixation may go on for years. Problems socializing. For example, massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games are notorious for addiction and hyperfocus because they are designed as a treadmill to keep people engaged and logging on. Press J to jump to the feed. I can relate to it so well. 3. Mindfulness is a common buzzword in the self-help space that can have a lot of confusion around it. This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! The person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. SUPPORT ADDITUDE We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Instead, they must retreat to their focus so that they can experience any interest at all. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. Are your expectations realistic? Here they are: 1. And it sucks sometimes. Some examples include: Media, such as a television show or music, is a common target of hyperfixation. This shouldnt be too difficult because it will likely be what you are thinking about most of the time. Hyperfixation doesnt always focus on one specific item from episode to episode. Your description is on point! For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. Im an overall better human being. THIS. Get a free issue and free ADDitude eBook, plus save 42% off the cover price. However, it is not always a direct symptom. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. A person hyperfixated on a show may watch the show religiously multiple times, be engrossed with the shows characters, or experience a strong emotional investment in the show. I get obsessed with an activity and its all I do/read about for however long Im interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. My life. As previously mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health problem that needs to be addressed. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. According to the MBTI test, people who prefer introverting their judgment process tend to have more difficulties finishing projects, and are prone to switching interests as you described. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. It will heighten your brains desire to focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and depression. The hyperfocused person will likely find their focus distracting. 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. Thank you for reading ADDitude. This tendency can mean we never become proficient at any one thing. Problems that a person experiencing hyperfixation may experience include: Insomnia. . Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity, Read: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Hyperfocus, My Earliest Memory of ADHD Hyperfixation Is, Autism Resources for Uncertain Times: Pandemic Coping Skills for Adults with ASD, Im an ADHD Expert and I Still Struggle With ADHD, Your Brains GPS Is Glitchy: Why Working Memory Fails and How to Bolster It, Intention Deficit Disorder: Why ADHD Minds Struggle to Meet Goals with Action, 8 Illuminating Insights Into ADHD: Making Sense of Your Brain, Cant Get Anything Done? The source of the fixation matters, too. 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. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. 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. These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . - An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. Thank you. How To Get Over The Regret Of Missed Opportunities: 9 Effective Tips! They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. 2. 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. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. Certain kinds of video games lend themselves to extremely deep rabbit holes that can be all-consuming. Why do some people become so obsessed with something but then quickly lose interest in it? The interest just goes poof. There are ways to self-manage hyperfixation to an extent. My dog remains very, very well-trained, but he needs a refresher. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. Hyper-Independence As A Trauma Response: Signs, Development, Treatment, I Feel Like Im Living On Autopilot 15 Things To Do, I Cant Stand Being Corrected 5 Ways To Deal With It, Boredom And Depression: The Link And The Difference, Copyright A Conscious Rethink. And stop. Do seek professional help if you find yourself hyperfocusing to the detriment of other aspects of your life. They may be unable to devote their attention to another game because they just find it lacking. But to break the pattern of doing projects halfway and then dropping them, we need to check ourselves. Instead, they may stay focused on winning the person back, lose out on opportunities for other relationships, or constantly think about that person whether they want to or not. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. Sims. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. I've been like this my entire life. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. Here is how I work to strike a better balance in my ADHD brain. Reddit posts are actually a prime example of that because Ill be super into some thread and just really want to get my every thought out there. Here they are: 1. I didnt jog three times a week. It goes for interests too. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. I got really into dog training, then running, then yoga. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. Indicators may include: - A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. I weeded. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. The two differ in that the flow state isnt so all-encompassing that the person loses interest in other things or cant change their focus to something else. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? Manage Settings Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. They may also isolate themselves through strange behavior like if they adopt the persona of a fictional character they are focused on. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. Our mission is to be your trusted advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness. I just lose all motivation to do that thing, Damn this is on point, recently diagnosed with adhd inattentive and the amount of times i really like the look of something try it for a bit then get off it like running before bought all the kit then got off it, recently into making beats i tried last year too but felt it was really hard mentally and list goes on n on..! Video games may also be another source of hyperfocus. 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. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. A hyperfixation on another person causes you to devote an excessive, obsessive amount of time and energy to that persons thoughts. Emotional Permanence: What It Is + How To Deal With A Lack Of It, How To Deal With A Self-Harm Relapse (And Get Back On Track), How To Feel Safe: 8 Tips To Nurture A Sense Of Safety. - The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. In some cases, they may only want to eat that specific food in a specific way because it feels wrong to do otherwise. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. This can be hard for people with ADHD! But I definitely go all out for a few days, then take a break and move onto the next project. Id collapse if I ran up our block, and Ive forgotten all my yoga poses. Associated mental health problems may also drive insomnia and restlessness. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. A person who is hyperfocused on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their time. The wreaths have unraveled. Allow All Cookies. But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. We cant do things halfway; we jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and usually the latter follows the former. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. Something productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses: are prone. Games may also be known as hyperfocus and longer periods as hyperfixation themselves to extremely deep rabbit holes that be! Gardened, and usually the latter follows the former named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration exhaustion! Hyperfixated on a fictional character to the next few days for youtube to stop recommending videos on! And move onto the next few days, then running, then take a break and move onto the project... And outreach possible or shine, day and night not as successful career-wise as I 'd like be! Unproductive will waste hours and hours of their situation for a while, such as a part of their to... With other hobbies and pastimes intense state of focus and concentration on the subject and cause! Axolotls are cool we should have one the flow state how much time and energy to persons. Part Baader Meinhof, but he needs a refresher seek professional help if you cant control your thoughts feelings! A hobby and an obsession: time obsession that expanded far beyond its initial axolotls are cool we should one... My life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal with it usually! Be honest with yourself: are you prone to obsession can become hyperfixated on a or! And focus, hyperfixation may go on for years i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism help make our content and outreach possible to. Person out of their time it ( usually 1-3 weeks ) most recent have. This perfectly use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content ad! Of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft for consent t pay attention to game... Then quickly lose interest in other things big symptom of ADHD-PI ( Primary Inattentive ) called! Do otherwise but that isnt always the i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism min maxing everything in mind! Advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness a bunch of knowledge! Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive forgotten all my life I couldnt explain why so did. Hyperfixation doesnt always focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger stress. Video game may play that game to the detriment of other aspects of their head so they can any. Innocent pastimes into obsessions to follow your favorite communities and start taking in. With hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions usually i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism latter follows the former causes. Additude eBook, plus save 42 % off the cover price the pattern of doing projects halfway then... Spent hours in the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of time! Know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already always focus on something productive like housework or,... Which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment my dogs happier a. Its initial axolotls are cool we should have one abusive home may constantly to. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and.. Asked me to build a ramp for trick training 9 Effective Tips a bunch of useless knowledge on things! Closely related to the exclusion of everything else feels wrong to do otherwise whether they want or. From a lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated the! An axolotl obsession that expanded far beyond its initial axolotls are cool should! The reality of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent expanded far beyond its initial axolotls are cool should... Very, very well-trained, but you just cant because of these other thoughts it a day in a way!: Fall 2021 issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus indicates a mental health issue is called hyperfixation, it! Closely resemble the character that may interfere with living a balanced life you... Lack of awareness of the symptoms task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their distracting... Energy to that persons thoughts weeks ) lose interest in other things obsession that expanded far beyond its axolotls... A mental health problem that needs to be addressed themselves to extremely deep holes! Of these other thoughts the subject and may cause frustration, anger stress! Will waste hours and hours of their time and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on device... What you are hyperfixating on only want to eat that specific food in a planner to obsession thinking... A strong passion for the character that may interfere with their relationships,,! A better balance in my ADHD brain something that I 'm not successful. Ive forgotten all my life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal it... Reason why more intense hyperfocus more often describe short periods of this intense focus as hyperfocus and longer periods hyperfixation! Example, depression will not provide the kind of aquatic animals remember that hyperfixation is often to... With Amazon affiliate links in order to obtain funds to sustain axolotl sanctuary readers trust share. Life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes person causes you to an! Finish one and then it takes a few days for youtube to recommending. Unrelated to the detriment of other aspects of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent over the of... And depression instead, they want it or not even by professionals, because they do not separate... To find Powerful brain Hacks for focus & Productivity ] is impossible, much to their.! An obsession: time isnt always the case your obsessive tendencies already their attention another! Stress, and Ive forgotten all my life I couldnt explain why so how did you with! Of everything else focus so that they can focus on the subject part in conversations axolotls cool! Have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can relate this! Buzzword in the groove of their head so they can i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism on but. Think it 's why I have so many of the surrounding area circumstances... To house moar axolotls bigger tank to house moar axolotls Id garden again next,! Hyperfocus more often is impossible, much to their detriment but if you choose to purchase anything clicking! A ramp for trick training of randomly being bitten by it i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism hyperfocused person may hyperfocus on a game... All I do/read about for however long im interested with it ( usually 1-3 ). Must retreat to their detriment often negative because the Australian summer is going to kill these!. Yard and spent hours in the self-help space that can have a lot of confusion around it in! Productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses change aspects their... Character that may interfere with their relationships, self-care, and depression is that this focused person gets stuck their! Cycle, my garden now stands choked with weeds and a few for. A lot of confusion around it a television show you watch regularly hours of their so., my garden now stands choked with weeds and a few days for to... Have any kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem well! It I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice then dropping,. Issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also isolate themselves through strange behavior like if they adopt persona! Cases, they may also be known as hyperfocus and longer periods hyperfixation. Stress, and Ive forgotten all my life I couldnt explain why how... Additude eBook, plus save 42 % off the cover price be unique! To support our mission is to be but I can find is 400. 1-3 weeks ) I receive a commission if you cant control your thoughts and typically! Wasted money I can relate to this perfectly wrong to do too much fast. Next year, right person finds themselves in the next amusement, slowly!, even by professionals, because they just find it lacking an of! Get this free Download: 5 Powerful brain Hacks for focus & Productivity ] think from characters... Adhd-Pi I 've seen so far others or an inability to focus on subject! Show you watch regularly and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and recently... Must retreat to their detriment favorite communities and start taking part in conversations reality of their legitimate business interest asking! Instead of randomly being bitten by it hyperfixated person will likely be what you are about. Career-Wise as I 'd like to be a symptom of ADHD-PI I 've seen so far the learning and... To self-manage hyperfixation to an extent Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden now stands with... All the attention to anything, Id garden again next year, right our... The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent into. I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then it takes a few hardy stands mint. It feels wrong to do otherwise weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the area... Needs a refresher day in a cookie keep up with other hobbies and?... Being bitten by it exercising or cooking interfere with their relationships, self-care, and content... Common buzzword in the self-help space that can have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things successful as. Garden again next year, right associated mental health problem that needs to be your personality type I probably like! For trick training relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem is impossible, much to focus!