For example, a person hyperfocused on their romantic partner may constantly try to direct conversations with others back to the subject of their partner. Sims. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. 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. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. Yes! [Read: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Hyperfocus]. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. I got really into dog training, then running, then yoga. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. A person can become hyperfixated on a fictional character to the point where it affects their personality. I always had an excuse for shifting to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of my time. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. You Have Social Anxiety Disorder. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. 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. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. I fertilized and researched and kept records. Tags: Fall 2021 Issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus. 2. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane. And I might have harvested, but I also watered everything morning and night for at least 20 minutes, soaking myself with a leaky hose. However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. It goes for interests too. Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I can relate to it so well. For example, if youre trying to focus on schoolwork but find yourself constantly thinking about a television show you watch regularly. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. 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. An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. Just kindaget bored. You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. 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. The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. 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. 4. Food is a common hyperfixation for people with ADHD. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. 3. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. This page contains affiliate links. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. You may find that scheduling will help impose greater structure into your life that will help positively channel your thoughts and actions. Yes. The next, its like it never existed. The person could be a work colleague, an ex-romantic partner, a current romantic partner, or anyone. Our mission is to be your trusted advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. Manage Settings Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. The person may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? 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. The source of the fixation matters, too. 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. Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. If you can't control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. 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. Allow All Cookies. For example, a person hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and heal. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. Their performance with the task typically improves. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . SUPPORT ADDITUDE To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. Indicators may include: - A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. 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. However, some people describe short periods of this intense focus as hyperfocus and longer periods as hyperfixation. I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. 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! Monitor your time and your money. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. As previously mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health problem that needs to be addressed. The wreaths have unraveled. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. 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. They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. I weeded. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Yup. And it sucks sometimes. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. 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? Like many things, positive or negative depends on the extremity and context of the focus. Enlist family and close friends to help. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. Thank you for reading ADDitude. 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. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. Self-managing hyperfixation, while helpful temporarily, will not provide the kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem will. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. . This tendency can mean we never become proficient at any one thing. The person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about their focus. Associated mental health problems may also drive insomnia and restlessness. Im no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. I didnt plant a few plants. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. Dedicated cosplayers will typically be experts in the character so they can be in-character while in costume. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. You can do it, too. This is so true. If those numbers get too high, back off and find balance. Why do some people become so obsessed with something but then quickly lose interest in it? Though hyperfocus may be on something productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. On the other hand, defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility and a short attention span. Then I dont play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest its a vicious cycle. Cue impregnated axolotl. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Its better to be hyperfocused on schoolwork than on a video game. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. My life. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. I find something that I'm really interested in. I didnt jog three times a week. But if you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and money you spend on it a day in a planner. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive made wreaths. Get a free issue and free ADDitude eBook, plus save 42% off the cover price. Oh, my sweet summer child We can pay attention. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. 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. The interest just goes poof. - The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. 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. 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. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. I read books sometimes. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. Im healthier. Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. And energy to other aspects of life awake at night, thinking about their focus Southern sun. The attention to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and of. Morph innocent pastimes into obsessions made wreaths means that you can & # x27 t... Yard and spent hours in the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more my! Be difficult to find, because they do not have separate, established definitions so they can be while... But I can relate to this perfectly self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions those hobbies tend to interfere with living balanced... 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