Understanding ADHD and Hyperfixations

By Allie Sadowski

Allie is a member of the GLPG Marketing team and a contributor to the Current and the Notepad.

Have you ever found yourself so deeply involved in a task or hobby that hours pass by in the blink of an eye? For many people with ADHD, this is commonly called hyperfixation. While ADHD is often associated with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, hyperfixations are another, less-discussed aspect of ADHD that can significantly impact daily life.

What is hyperfixation?

Hyperfixation is when individuals with ADHD become intensely passionate and involved in an activity or hobby for extended periods of time. Often times, people who are hyperfixated on an activity or hobby may not realize that they are in this state. While engaging in activities or hobbies can bring joy and satisfaction, hyperfixating on these interests for such extended periods of time often comes at the expense of other responsibilities and daily tasks. This can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.

Hyperfixation is not a recognized symptom in the usual diagnostic criteria, yet it can be a very apparent symptom in the lives of people with ADHD. ADHD is often mislabeled as a disorder of inattention. With this in mind, there is a common misconception that people with ADHD have complete inattention issues, but in reality, ADHD may be more accurately looked at as an “attention-abundance disorder.” So, when thinking about hyperfixations, ADHD is less about lacking focus and more about having an abundance of attention directed intensely towards specific activities or hobbies.

Signs of hyperfixation

Recognizing the signs of hyperfixation is important in understanding how it impacts daily life as a person with ADHD. While hyperfixation can look different from person to person, some of the signs assoicated with hyperfixation include:

• Losing track of time while engaged in the activity
• Intense focus on a particular activity or task
• Neglecting other responsibilities or tasks
• Difficulty transitioning between activities
• Experiencing a need to learn everything about a particular interest
• Prioritizing the particular interest over sleep, meals, or social interactions
• Feeling a sense of accomplishment or euphoria when engaged in a particular activity

Examples of hyperfixation

When discussing ADHD and hyperfixations, it’s important to consider the various ways hyperfixations can manifest in daily life. Recognizing these examples can help you better understand the impact of hyperfixations, improving your ability to recognize them in yourself or loved ones:

• Diving deep into a specific hobby, like painting or knitting, for hours without breaks
• Spending extensive time researching a favorite topic
• Intensely playing video games, sometimes for an entire day, losing track of time and other responsibilities
• Collecting items and becoming completely engrossed in their organization and display
• Listening to the same song or album on repeat, finding comfort in the repetition

Ways to stop hyperfixating with ADHD

When it comes to managing hyperfixation with ADHD, developing strategies and seeking professional support are key. Here are a few ways to stop hyperfixating and manage your attention more effectively:

1. Setting Boundaries: This means deciding in advance how much time you’re going to spend on a particular activity and sticking to that limit. By setting boundaries, you can prevent yourself from forgetting daily responsibilities.
2. Use Time Management Tools: Apps like Todoist and Finch offer ways to organize your tasks, and they can send you reminders throughout the day at set times.
3. Explore New Skills or Interests: Expanding your interests or hobbies can help provide a broader range of options to engage your focus. This may help reduce the likelihood of becoming stuck in one hobby or interest.
4. Get Support: Seeking professional support from a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or other mental health professional can be significantly helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms associated with ADHD – including hyperfixations. A mental health professional can offer a safe space to people with ADHD and can help provide effective strategies and coping skills.

Takeaway

By identifying the signs of hyperfixations and learning strategies to manage them, people with ADHD can better navigate their challenges and harness their unique strengths. With the right tools and support, managing hyperfixations becomes not only possible but an empowering journey toward greater focus, attention, and life fulfillment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hyperfixation, seeking professional help with a mental health professional is a great first step. Therapy can provide you with strategies, coping skills, and safe space to explore your emotions. Visit findmytherapist.com to browse a curated, personalized selection of therapists specific to your needs, choose your therapist, and schedule directly online.