What is ADHD Hyperfocus?
Hyperfocus refers to an intense fixation on an interest or activity for an extended period of time. People who experience hyperfocus often become so engrossed they block out the world around them. Children and adults with ADHD often exhibit hyperfocus when working intently on things that interest them.
Hyperfocus: How Does It Affect Children and Adults with ADHD?
For children, the object of hyperfocusmight be playing a video game or watching TV. Adults might hyperfocus on social media or shopping. But whatever holds the attention, the result is the same: Unless something or someone interrupts, hours drift by as important tasks and relationships fall by the wayside.
“People who think ADHD means having a short attention span misunderstand what ADHD is,” says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., a psychologist in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the author of ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life (#CommissionsEarned). “A better way to look at it is that people with ADHD have a disregulated attention system.”
What Causes the ADHD Brain to Hyperfocus?
Like distractibility, hyperfocus is thought to result from abnormally low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is particularly active in the brain’s frontal lobes. This dopamine deficiency makes it hard to “shift gears” to take up boring-but-necessary tasks.
“Children and adults with ADHD have difficulty shifting attention from one thing to another,” says ADHD expertRussell Barkley, Ph.D. “If they’re doing something they enjoy or find psychologically rewarding, they’ll tend to persist in this behavior after others would normally move on to other things. The brains of people with ADHD are drawn to activities that give instant feedback.”
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In the view of Larry Silver, M.D., a psychiatrist at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington D.C., such intense concentration is actually a coping mechanism.
“It’s a way of dealing with distraction,” Silver says. “College kids with ADHD tell me they intentionally go into a state of intense focus to get work done. Younger kids do the same thing unconsciously when they’re doing something pleasurable, like watching a movie or playing a computer game. Often they aren’t even aware that they’re focusing so intensely.”
Is ADHD Hyperfocus Bad?
There’s nothing inherently harmful about hyperfocus. In fact, it can be an asset. Some people with ADD or ADHD, for example, are able to channel their focus on something productive, such as a school- or work-related activity. Others allow themselves to hyperfocus on something as a reward for completing a dull but important task.
“Many scientists, writers, and artists with ADHD have had very successful careers, in large part because of their ability to focus on what they’re doing for hours on end,” says Nadeau.
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But unrestrained intense focus is most often a liability. Left unchecked, it can lead to failure in school, lost productivity on the job, and strained relationships with friends and at home.
“Children with ADHD often gravitate to what’s entertaining and exciting, and are averse to doing things they don’t want to do,” says Joseph Biederman, M.D., head of the Pediatric Psychopharmacology program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Combine this with poor time management and problems socializing, both of which are typical of kids with ADHD, and the child can end up playing Nintendo alone all weekend long.”
Adults with ADHD tell stories of missing meetings or deadlines because they got so absorbed in something that they lost track of time. In one extraordinary case history, cited by Nadeau, a woman with ADHD was so focused on a project that she failed to notice that her house had caught fire. “It was only when firemen came through the house, searching for anyone left inside, that she looked up and realized what was going on,” says Nadeau.
Hyperfocus In Children: Can It Be Trained?
If a child with ADHD tends to get lost in a favorite activity, parents or teachers should first take steps to limit the amount of time the child is allowed to spend on the activity.
“Even if a child is on ADHD medication, playing Nintendo will always be more attractive than studying for a math test,” says Biederman. “So the child should be allowed to play it only in doses— not at the expense of an entire day.”
“If you have a child who hyperfocuses on a favorite activity, you’ll need to counter this tendency by being extra-vigilant about limiting the time spent on the activity and about being careful to stick to his schedule,” says Carol Brady, Ph.D., a Houston psychologist. “It can also help to make an agreement with your child ahead of time about when the activity can be done, and when it can’t.”
Then, it’s essential to develop a system to help your kids redirect their focus. When the time comes to conclude the activity, Brady recommends being a bit flexible and, if possible, waiting for a natural break — the conclusion of a TV show, for example.
But it’s not enough to give the child a time limit and expect her to stop. “I tell parents they’ll need to do something to break the ‘trance’ their child is in,” says Silver, “such as tapping him on the shoulder, waving a hand in front of his face, or standing between him and the television or computer screen.” Unless you do, he says, the child may not even realize that you are trying to get his attention.
“These children aren’t being disobedient,” says Nadeau. “Their brains just aren’t registering what you’re saying. That’s why the interruption should never be done angrily, and why you should allow a few minutes for the shift in attention to occur. It’s almost like pulling someone out of a dream.”
To help smooth this process, Nadeau recommends taking the time to educate your child about the way his or her brain works. “Your child needs to understand why it’s hard for her to stop doing something she’s really into,” she says. “The child also needs to know that, because of this, teachers and parents may have to intervene from time to time to stop an activity.”
How Can I Train My ADHD Hyperfocus?
For adults with ADHD, managing bouts of hyperfocus requires setting up external cues to redirect their attention. “This sort of intense focus isn’t something you can just buck up and talk yourself out of,” says Barkley.
Nadeau, who has ADHD herself, often experiences hyperfocus when she tackles a writing project. So she sets a timer to remind herself of appointments she needs to keep or phone calls she needs to make. Computer messages, designed to pop up on the screen at preset times, can also be useful. So is enlisting the help of a spouse or co-worker. “I worked with one man who got so absorbed in his work that he trained a colleague to come and pull him out of his office for meetings,” says Nadeau.
Another of Nadeau’s patients was in the habit of working on his computer after dinner. “He would completely zone out,” says Nadeau, “to the point where his wife would go to bed and he wouldn’t even notice. He’d just keep working until two or three in the morning.” Exasperated, the man’s wife began literally pulling the plug on his computer when bedtime arrived. “It was the only way to get his attention,” says Nadeau.
Trigger ADHD Hyperfocus By Making Boring Tasks More Compelling
Ultimately, the best way to deal with hyperfocus is not to fight it but to harness it. “If school or work can be made stimulating, it will grab focus in the same way,” says Nadeau.
“Kids with ADHD are demanding a higher standard of teaching,” says William Sears, M.D., associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. “A child with ADHD gets bored quickly when he’s asked to memorize a bunch of history dates. But if he helps write a play on the subject and then performs in it, he’s going to shine.”
The same is true for adults. “A job that provides public accountability, along with more immediate and enjoyable consequences, can be ideal for those with ADHD,” says Barkley. “Perhaps this is why 35 percent of people with ADHD are self-employed by the time they’re in their thirties — a figure far higher than the norm.”
The Upside of ADHD Hyperfocus
Once you learn to turn hyperfocus to your favor, it can be a built-in advantage. Stories abound about individuals with ADHDwho can concentrate intently for long stretches of time on complex projects.
“When I used to direct TV commercials, I could never get myself to sit down and do an expense report,” says Frank Coppola, of New York City, an ADHD coach who himself has ADHD. “But on the set, I’d have nine things going on simultaneously, and I could focus on all of them without any problem.”
“I coach baseball,” notes Sears, “and I always put kids with ADHD in as pitchers and catchers. As pitchers, their ability to hyperfocus helps them focus on the target, and as catchers, it heightens their awareness of the batter. Kids with ADHD make great hockey goalies for the same reason. When the puck’s at the other end of the rink, they’re looking around, distracted — but as soon as the puck comes down the rink toward them, they click in to hyperfocus and become very alert.”
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FAQs
How do you explain hyperfocus to ADHD? ›
Hyperfocus refers to an intense fixation on an interest or activity for an extended period of time. People who experience hyperfocus often become so engrossed they block out the world around them. Children and adults with ADHD often exhibit hyperfocus when working intently on things that interest them.
Do people with ADHD hyperfocus on things they like? ›Kids with ADHD often experience hyperfocus on things that really interest them, even when they have a hard time paying attention to things that don't interest them. For example, a child might spend hours reading a book they love but struggle to focus on homework.
What are examples of hyperfocus ADHD? ›Children who are hyperfocused could be so busy playing a video game or watching TV that they don't hear someone calling their name repeatedly. Or they could lose themselves in homework for a subject that they really enjoy. In adults, someone who's hyperfocused might get caught up in work or tasks around the home.
How do I get over my ADHD fixation? ›- Knowing when to start. If you have trouble stopping your hyperfixation, knowing when to start can help you control it. ...
- Setting a time limit. ...
- Staying connected to other people. ...
- Addressing the main cause. ...
- Cognitive behavioral therapy.
It is generally reported to occur when a person is engaged in an activity that is particularly fun or interesting. An example of hyperfocus is when a child becomes engrossed in a video game to a point where they do not hear a parent calling their name.
What is the difference between hyperfocus and Hyperfixation? ›You may have also heard the term “hyperfocus.” Some experts use it interchangeably with hyperfixation, and others use it to describe a state of intense focus on a specific task. Under this definition, hyperfocus ends when the task is complete — unlike hyperfixation, which continues for longer.
Does Adderall help with hyperfocus? ›Stimulant medication can reduce the tendency of an individual with ADHD to hyperfocus, but it won't eliminate the problem. “Stimulants increase the reward value of boring tasks so that people find them a bit more interesting and are able to stay with them longer,” says Dr. Russell Barkley.
Is hyperfocus a trait of autism? ›Hyperfocus is the unique and defining characteristic of autism that is responsible for 52 of its observed traits listed below. Hyperfocus is the perpetual and unrelenting state of intense single-minded concentration fixated on one thought pattern at a time, to the exclusion of everything else.
What are the benefits of hyperfocus? ›Hyperfocus can be — and often is — an extraordinary gift. Not only does it allow people with ADHD to get a lot done in a short amount of time, it allows them to fully devote their attention to something that interests them — improving their skills through hours and hours of focused, dedicated effort.
Can someone with ADHD Hyperfixate on a person? ›Although hyperfixation is not a diagnosable mental health condition, it can be a characteristic of several different disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Is hyperfocus a mania? ›
Like hyperfocus, mania can cause you to lose track of your surroundings. A manic episode is characterized by euphoria, increased activity, and decreased need for sleep. However, unlike hyperfocus, mania can also cause you to feel jumpy and agitated.
Is ADHD a part of autism? ›Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD are related in several ways. ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
What mental illness causes Hyperfixation? ›Hyperfixation, also referred to as hyperfocus, is commonly connected with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism, and depression.
Why ADHD brains crave stimulation? ›Indeed, ADHD brains struggle to sustain motivation when rewards are mild or are linked to long-term gratification. As a result, ADHD brains search for stimulation that can increase dopamine more quickly and intensely. Ultimately, the pursuit of pleasurable rewards may become a potent form of self-medication.
Is hyperfocus a symptom of bipolar? ›Contrarily, patients with bipolar disorder and ADHD can also experience hyperfocus, in which the person focuses on a single task or thought process, possibly to the detriment of other areas of the persons life.
Is hyperfocus a trauma response? ›The body is on hyper-alert following a traumatic event. The person often experiences exaggerated startle responses, physical agitation, irritability, and sleep disturbances. This negatively impacts executive functioning and makes things like focus, concentration, and attention more difficult.
How do you know if you hyperfocus? ›Characterized by very long periods of highly focused attention on something that meets a person's interests, hyperfocus is a symptom of ADHD that many people view as opposite in nature to the main ones. In states of hyperfocus, a person may find themselves fully engrossed in work, hobbies, or other activities.
What mental disorder is hyperfocus? ›Hyperfocus is the experience of deep and intense concentration in some people with ADHD. ADHD is not necessarily a deficit of attention, but rather a problem with regulating one's attention span to desired tasks. So, while mundane tasks may be difficult to focus on, others may be completely absorbing.
Is there a cure for hyperfocus? ›ADHD treatment such as medication or therapy could help improve hyperfocus along with other symptoms, but you can also take steps to redirect focus on your own. Try some of the below tips: Set aside time for each task you need to complete and use an alarm or timer to let you know when it's time to move on.
Does hyperfocus increase dopamine? ›People with ADHD can slip into hyperfocus, their brain starts releasing dopamine and sending off signals of pleasure and reward that compensates for their deficient reward system. The more they are engrossed in such activities, the greater the dopamine boost — and the easier it becomes to stay on such tasks.
What is the opposite of hyperfocus? ›
So between mindful self-focus and distraction, self-focus is the better choice if you are able to manage it. But the question was how to find balance between hyperfocus and distraction, not mindful self-focus. Interestingly, although both terms include the word 'focus', in one sense they are polar opposites.
Do neurotypical people hyperfocus? ›Some neurotypical people may occasionally experience a hyperfocus-like state. However, it occurs more often in people with conditions that reflect attention issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What are autistic fixations called? ›Fixation, or hyper-focusing on a specific interest, is a recognized feature of autism. Fixations, along with other features or symptoms of autism like repetitive behaviors and cognitive inflexibility, may appear from the outside to be symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Is hyperfocus a super power? ›Hyperfocus can be a superpower. It can help folks accomplish incredible things, like finishing a huge art project or writing a book. Many of our participants said that hyperfocus makes them very productive. They said they would not get anything done without hyperfocus.
Is hyperfocus a weakness? ›Hyperfocus: A Strength and a Weakness
But unrestrained focus can be a liability. Left unchecked, it can lead to failure in school, lost productivity on the job, and strained relationships with friends and at home.
ADHD and narcissistic personality may share some behavioral similarities, but they're different conditions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are different mental health diagnoses yet in some instances, behaviors may look similar.
Why ADHD partners are hard to love? ›For many people affected by ADHD, key symptoms like inattention, forgetfulness, and disorganization negatively affect their relationships. The partners without ADHD can misinterpret their partners' intentions, resulting in increased frustration and resentment.
Do people with ADHD fall in love easily? ›Can someone with ADHD fall in love? While all kinds of people can fall in love, the experience of people with ADHD falling in love can be more intense for them. This is because the person with ADHD can hyperfocus on the person they are in love with.
What does an ADHD meltdown look like? ›A MELTDOWN CAN SEEM TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE.
It's one of the challenging or explosive behaviors we see in those who have ADHD. Sometimes it appears as poor self-esteem, yelling, rage, or tears.
Studies have also found that ADHD can lead to an earlier onset of bipolar disorders, more frequent mood episodes, and more violent behavior.
What does an ADHD episode look like in adults? ›
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
How do people with ADHD think? ›People with ADHD will have at least two or three of the following challenges: difficulty staying on task, paying attention, daydreaming or tuning out, organizational issues, and hyper-focus, which causes us to lose track of time. ADHD-ers are often highly sensitive and empathic.
Is ADHD considered to be a disability? ›Yes. Whether you view attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as neurological — affecting how the brain concentrates or thinks — or consider ADHD as a disability that impacts working, there is no question that the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers individuals with ADHD.
Are you born with ADHD? ›Genetics. ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
How do you explain what ADHD feels like? ›People with ADHD will have at least two or three of the following challenges: difficulty staying on task, paying attention, daydreaming or tuning out, organizational issues, and hyper-focus, which causes us to lose track of time. ADHD-ers are often highly sensitive and empathic.
How do you describe what having ADHD is like? ›Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
Is there medication for hyperfocus? ›ADHD treatment such as medication or therapy could help improve hyperfocus along with other symptoms, but you can also take steps to redirect focus on your own.
What does an ADHD shutdown look like? ›Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.
What it's like to have ADHD as a grown woman? ›Women with ADHD face the same feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted as men with ADHD commonly feel. Psychological distress, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and chronic stress are common. Often, women with ADHD feel that their lives are out of control or in chaos, and daily tasks may seem impossibly huge.
What does an ADHD episode look like? ›With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.