Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. All my life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal with it?? I got really into dog training, then running, then yoga. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. An example is a person who becomes so engrossed in their activity that they may completely lose track of time or what is happening around them. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. They may regularly cycle those thoughts over and over, picking them apart, examining, re-examining, and thinking about them from different angles. Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine, Perimenopause Problems: How Changing Hormones Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms, ADHD and Addiction: The Truth About Substance Abuse. 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. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. Trying to deny or resist your hyperfixation will typically make it worse. We cant do things halfway; we jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and usually the latter follows the former. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane. Still, the person with ADHD may also experience hyperfixation. 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. I weeded. Just to put into perspective how severe this can get, members of the community of Everquest would refer to it as Evercrack because of its addictive nature, likening it to crack cocaine. 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. 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. 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. They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. As previously mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health problem that needs to be addressed. 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. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. The interest just goes poof. 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. 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..! I ran rain or shine, day and night. Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. THIS. Moreover, if your judgment process is "Feeling", as o. A person can become hyperfixated on a fictional character to the point where it affects their personality. However, it is not always a direct symptom. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. You can do it, too. If those numbers get too high, back off and find balance. 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. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. - An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. Dependency on the focus. It will heighten your brains desire to focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and depression. Yes, youre excited. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. This kind of hyperfixation may go on for years. I fertilized and researched and kept records. 3. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. Exaggerated Emotions: How and Why ADHD Triggers Intense Feelings. 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. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. 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. Depression and ADHD often feature insomnia. One minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. I've been like this my entire life. Im healthier. The person may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive made wreaths. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. But if you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and money you spend on it a day in a planner. I didnt jog three times a week. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. Hyperfocus is also closely related to the flow state. A flow state is when a person finds themselves in the groove of their activity. They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. Here they are: 1. This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! 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. How To Get Over The Regret Of Missed Opportunities: 9 Effective Tips! Indicators may include: - A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. Were bouncing. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. 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. Oh, my sweet summer child We can pay attention. 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. 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. 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. Do some self-checks when you start something new. 2. Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. It goes for interests too. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. My life. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. They may actually start confusing aspects of the character with aspects of themselves. Here they are: 1. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. My dog remains very, very well-trained, but he needs a refresher. I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. This tendency can mean we never become proficient at any one thing. 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 have it. My garden now stands choked with weeds and a few hardy stands of mint and cilantro. Each of those hobbies, while they lasted, turned into an obsession. ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. This page contains affiliate links. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. Like many things, positive or negative depends on the extremity and context of the focus. Thats a key difference between a hobby and an obsession: time. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? 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