Chances are, you’ve stumbled across the concept of hyperfocus in relation to neurodivergent experiences—both ADHD and Autistic (or, AuDHD, as the people who are diagnosed with both often refer to themselves).
Like with many other states and symptoms, it’s important to remember that experiencing hyperfocus does not automatically mean you have ADHD (or Autism, or…).
What is Hyperfocus?
Hyperfocus is the ability to immerse oneself deeply in a task or activity to the exclusion of everything else. It often occurs during tasks that are highly engaging, such as creative projects, hobbies, or even work or studying, if the right conditions are met and they managed to capture the interest.
In another post, I wrote about how misleading the ADHD name can be. People with ADHD do not have an attention deficit, but rather experience difficulties with regulating it. This becomes apparent with hyperfocus, which occurs when something captures one’s attention so absolutely, that everything else fades into the background.
As a consequence, it can feel as if the hours pass without notice and the world stops in its tracks. Except, of course, it doesn’t.
Hyperfixation
Another closely related concept to hyperfocus is hyperfixation, defined on ADDA’s website (the acronym stands for Attention Deficit Disorder Association) as “a strong and prolonged interest in or focus on something.” The object of hyperfixaction are usually things considered fascinating and captivating: a specific hobby, a specific television show, film, video game, book, and so on, but also a more generally understood activity like going to the gym.
While not a rule, in the Autistic spectrum a specific hyperfixation might last years, while people with ADHD often would switch between hyperfixations. As a result, a hobby that occupied one’s entire free time one year might be left forgotten the next, having been replaced by something else.
Whereas hyperfocus refers to the state of focusing on something for several hours, hyperfixation refers to the task, object, or topic that is considered fascinating for a longer period of time.
Managing Hyperfocus
Experiencing hyperfocus is not necessarily a bad thing. In next week’s COMIC, I discuss research that shows that hyperfocus and flow often describe the same thing—but where the former is associated with ADHD and is perceived negatively, the latter is understood as a state occurring in the process of creating art or practicing sports, and is generally favored.
If you know you are prone to hyperfocus, what can help you avoid getting lost in work is:
- Identifying Triggers: Understand what activities tend to spark hyperfocus, and plan accordingly.
- Setting Alarms or Timers: Use external reminders to stay aware of the time and schedule breaks (remember to stay hydrated!)
