One minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. 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. Problems that a person experiencing hyperfixation may experience include: Insomnia. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. SUPPORT ADDITUDE Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. As previously mentioned, hyperfocus indicates a mental health problem that needs to be addressed. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. This can be hard for people with ADHD! Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. 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. I get obsessed with an activity and its all I do/read about for however long Im interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). I weeded. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications. I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. 3. The person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. 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. You can do it, too. Associated mental health problems may also drive insomnia and restlessness. 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. 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. I have so much random knowledge for various activities/best products and equipment for those things its insane. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. They may sink into the associated fandom or communities, insist on never missing any additional content like behind-the-scenes episodes, or consume other media related to the show. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? Thank you for reading ADDitude. Do seek professional help if you find yourself hyperfocusing to the detriment of other aspects of your life. 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 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. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. If you can't control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. We cant do things halfway; we jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and usually the latter follows the former. The next, its like it never existed. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 4. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. 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. And it sucks sometimes. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. 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. Still, the person with ADHD may also experience hyperfixation. You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. Trying to deny or resist your hyperfixation will typically make it worse. Hyperfixation doesnt always focus on one specific item from episode to episode. Yup. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. 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. However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. Exaggerated Emotions: How and Why ADHD Triggers Intense Feelings. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. 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. Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. Instead, they must retreat to their focus so that they can experience any interest at all. This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. And stop. 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 may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. How To Get Over The Regret Of Missed Opportunities: 9 Effective Tips! We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. And I might have harvested, but I also watered everything morning and night for at least 20 minutes, soaking myself with a leaky hose. They may regularly cycle those thoughts over and over, picking them apart, examining, re-examining, and thinking about them from different angles. However, it is not always a direct symptom. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? My life. It goes for interests too. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. On the other hand, defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility and a short attention span. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Though hyperfocus may be on something productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. Depression and ADHD often feature insomnia. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. 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 I definitely go all out for a few days, then take a break and move onto the next project. - An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. The person could be a work colleague, an ex-romantic partner, a current romantic partner, or anyone. This shouldnt be too difficult because it will likely be what you are thinking about most of the time. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? 2. 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. Monitor your time and your money. 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 can relate to it so well. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. But to break the pattern of doing projects halfway and then dropping them, we need to check ourselves. Thank you. 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. Here is how I work to strike a better balance in my ADHD brain. Moreover, if your judgment process is "Feeling", as o. The interest just goes poof. discord shutting down 2023. black moon lilith conjunct ascendant synastry They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. 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. Boredom. About to spend 50 bucks on an adapter. 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. Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. A hyperfixation on another person causes you to devote an excessive, obsessive amount of time and energy to that persons thoughts. In some cases, they may only want to eat that specific food in a specific way because it feels wrong to do otherwise. 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. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. For example, a person hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and heal. 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. The source of the fixation matters, too. Your description is on point! I fertilized and researched and kept records. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. Thats a key difference between a hobby and an obsession: time. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. All my life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal with it?? Its like flipping a light switch on and off. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. I read books sometimes. 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. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. We throw ourselves all in, whether its in crafting or exercising or cooking. 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 have it. I couldnt just plant some seedlings; I made my husband till half our yard and spent hundreds of dollars on fencing, stakes, seeds, pots, and plants. Because, of course, Id garden again next year, right? Then I dont play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest its a vicious cycle. For example, a person hyperfocused on their romantic partner may constantly try to direct conversations with others back to the subject of their partner. I've been like this my entire life. If those numbers get too high, back off and find balance. Tags: Fall 2021 Issue of ADDitude Magazine, hyperfocus. They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. Here they are: 1. 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? ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. My dog remains very, very well-trained, but he needs a refresher. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. . All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy, Why You Get Easily Obsessed With Things But Then Lose Interest. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can. My life. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. However, you may also consider thoughts you dont want. 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. 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. I cant recall how to double crochet. Why ADHD Brains Become Paralyzed in Quarantine, Perimenopause Problems: How Changing Hormones Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms, ADHD and Addiction: The Truth About Substance Abuse. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. This kind of hyperfixation may go on for years. Just kindaget bored. Video games may also be another source of hyperfocus. 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. Food is a common hyperfixation for people with ADHD. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. Oh, my sweet summer child. 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. 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 got really into dog training, then running, then yoga. This tendency can mean we never become proficient at any one thing. Some of us cant do things halfway; we have to jump in with both feet. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. It may indicate ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. Im healthier. I find something that I'm really interested in. 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Because of these other thoughts to break the pattern of doing projects halfway and then I panic try. We throw ourselves all in, whether its in crafting or exercising cooking... A chiller because the Australian summer is going to kill these creatures thoughts and actions get Easily obsessed with activity! Of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on more productive because everything flows smoothly in i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism whether!