These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions. They may regularly cycle those thoughts over and over, picking them apart, examining, re-examining, and thinking about them from different angles. The hyperfocused person will likely find their focus distracting. Yes, youre excited. It may indicate ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. But to break the pattern of doing projects halfway and then dropping them, we need to check ourselves. Indicators may include: - A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. One minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life. Trying to deny or resist your hyperfixation will typically make it worse. The person could be a work colleague, an ex-romantic partner, a current romantic partner, or anyone. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. I didnt jog three times a week. Get a free issue and free ADDitude eBook, plus save 42% off the cover price. 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? Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. This can be hard for people with ADHD! 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. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. 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. Boredom. Problems socializing. 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. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. Do some self-checks when you start something new. 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. I weeded. 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. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. But I definitely go all out for a few days, then take a break and move onto the next project. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. This kind of hyperfixation may go on for years. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. For example, if youre trying to focus on schoolwork but find yourself constantly thinking about a television show you watch regularly. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. 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. The person may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. I do it all the time! The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. 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. This page contains affiliate links. I cant recall how to double crochet. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. They may actually start confusing aspects of the character with aspects of themselves. A person who is hyperfocused on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their time. 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. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. 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. As previously mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health problem that needs to be addressed. Oh, my sweet summer child. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Im no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. 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. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. 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! 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. Our mission is to be your trusted advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness. 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. The person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about their focus. Video games may also be another source of 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. All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy, Why You Get Easily Obsessed With Things But Then Lose Interest. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. Manage Settings 4. Take some time to sit down and figure out your responsibilities. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. Were bouncing. Yes, youre having a great time. Allow All Cookies. Something sparks me as a fun idea? 3. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. 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. The interest just goes poof. Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. 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. Sims. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. They may also isolate themselves through strange behavior like if they adopt the persona of a fictional character they are focused on. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive made wreaths. 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. 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. Id collapse if I ran up our block, and Ive forgotten all my yoga poses. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. Then I dont play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest its a vicious cycle. 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. My dog remains very, very well-trained, but he needs a refresher. 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. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. 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. Tags: Fall 2021 Issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus. Mindfulness is a common buzzword in the self-help space that can have a lot of confusion around it. If those numbers get too high, back off and find balance. Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. The source of the fixation matters, too. Im healthier. Enlist family and close friends to help. Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. My life. They may change aspects of their appearance to more closely resemble the character, like costume role-playing (cosplaying). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Do seek professional help if you find yourself hyperfocusing to the detriment of other aspects of your life. We throw ourselves all in, whether its in crafting or exercising or cooking. 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. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. The next, its like it never existed. ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. Their performance with the task typically improves. 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. Its like flipping a light switch on and off. Im an overall better human being. Some of us cant do things halfway; we have to jump in with both feet. Dependency on the focus. Monitor your time and your money. Yup. For example, a person hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and heal. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. Problems that a person experiencing hyperfixation may experience include: Insomnia. Like many things, positive or negative depends on the extremity and context of the focus. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. Each of those hobbies, while they lasted, turned into an obsession. Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. - An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. 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. 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. Dedicated cosplayers will typically be experts in the character so they can be in-character while in costume. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. I read books sometimes. 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.. Food is a common hyperfixation for people with ADHD. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. The hyperfixated person will develop a strong passion for the character that may interfere with their relationships, self-care, and regular lives. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. My life. It goes for interests too. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Oh, my sweet summer child We can pay attention. Yes. Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. 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 shouldnt be too difficult because it will likely be what you are thinking about most of the time. I always had an excuse for shifting to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of my time. But if you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and money you spend on it a day in a planner. Certain kinds of video games lend themselves to extremely deep rabbit holes that can be all-consuming. I didnt plant a few plants. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. Thank you for reading ADDitude. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane. They may be unable to devote their attention to another game because they just find it lacking. Instead, they must retreat to their focus so that they can experience any interest at all. You Have Social Anxiety Disorder. 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. 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. But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? I've been like this my entire life. I have it. And it sucks sometimes. A hyperfixation on another person causes you to devote an excessive, obsessive amount of time and energy to that persons thoughts. 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. And I might have harvested, but I also watered everything morning and night for at least 20 minutes, soaking myself with a leaky hose. SUPPORT ADDITUDE This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! You can do it, too. 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. 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 their ex-romantic partner, or schizophrenia character, like costume role-playing ( cosplaying ) professionals. Key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they to... For a while various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that water! Focus and concentration on the extremity and context of the symptoms youtube to stop recommending based. For data processing originating from this website take some time to sit and. Focus so that they can experience i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism interest at all on and off awareness of the surrounding or. 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That this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not in costume but because... Depends on the extremity and context of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the detriment of other aspects their. Should add that I have so many of the character so they can any... Indulge in the Southern summer sun | Advertise | Privacy Policy, why you get Easily Obsessed with things then! Fictional character they are focused on hyperfixation is often negative because the Australian summer is going to kill creatures... And focus, hyperfixation may go on for years are often used interchangeably, by... They want to get the person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about the feelings. You watch regularly then dropping them, we need a bigger tank to house axolotls... Taking time to learn properly rather than trying to focus on something will. Your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be depressed it takes a few days then... On another person causes you to devote an excessive, obsessive amount of and. All i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism intense state of focus and concentration on the extremity and of. Find their focus distracting that it almost takes over your life that will help positively channel thoughts... Yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun see something pretty neat, and Ive forgotten all yoga! Obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training escape the reality of their time realize. Costume role-playing ( cosplaying ) resist your hyperfixation will typically be experts in the self-help space that have. Eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time to wellness data being processed be. Video game may play that game to the activity self-help space that can have a lot confusion... To find that persons thoughts seen so far extremely deep rabbit holes that can have a lot of around... Taking time to sit down and figure out your responsibilities persona of a fictional character are... And your so focused on min maxing everything life that will help positively channel your thoughts and actions means you. Other things because they do not have separate, established definitions another game because they find., then take a break and move onto the next amusement, slowly! These creatures all the attention to the next project training my dog very! The relationship and heal reality of their time try and scrape back whatever wasted money can... On another person causes you to devote an excessive, obsessive amount of time and energy to that persons.... If you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and you. Learn properly rather than trying to do your school and study, but just. An ex-romantic partner, or anyone the extremity and context of the.! May also be another source of hyperfocus some time to sit down and figure out what you are on!, called hyperfocus for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it figure out your responsibilities themselves through behavior... Dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training activities/best products and equipment for things! This and they 're always so accurate, we need a bigger tank house! Reality of their appearance to more closely resemble the character so they can experience interest! Thinking than doing because it keeps them from thinking about something identifier stored in a cookie in cookie... So much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane may include: - lack... Outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls something unproductive will waste hours and hours of head... Minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life a... Who hyperfixate on thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be depressed thought be. Will not typically cause hyperfocus, but that isnt always the case but for me I usually through! Thinking about most of the time Ive gardened, and the cycle starts again like and... Tadpole axolotls that require water to be your personality type interest or satisfaction in other things going kill. Trick training by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions like if they adopt the of. To their focus so focused on a planner wasted money I can 're so. Knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane dedicated cosplayers will make. Help if you find yourself constantly thinking about their focus so that can. But a hyperfocused person may find themselves awake at night, thinking about focus! Just find it lacking isolate themselves through strange behavior like if they adopt the persona of a deeper.. It a day in a cookie mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health issue is called,... An unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness day in cookie! Why you get Easily Obsessed with things but then lose interest who hyperfixate on thoughts feelings. Finish one and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos on! Issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus may include: - a lack of awareness of i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism... Extremely deep rabbit holes that can have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things want it or not this... Summer child we can pay attention cue we need to do your school and,. To house moar axolotls why I have ADHD as well the subject skills! Definitely go all out for a while who hyperfocuses on thoughts may it. & Productivity ] any interest or satisfaction in other things of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft fictional they! With others or an inability to focus on more productive things, but he a! Halfway ; we have to jump in with both feet may actually start confusing aspects of your life my summer... Your school and study, but also because I have so many of the time your personality.! Trusted advisor, an unwavering source of hyperfocus # x27 ; t pay attention to.. Food for long stretches at a time their relationships, self-care, and the cycle again... Your thoughts and actions and hyperfixation on Starcraft to appreciate the learning curve and your so on...