My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. Press J to jump to the feed. 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 person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. 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..! Edit: I should add that I have ADHD as well. 2. Just kindaget bored. 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. Video games may also be another source of hyperfocus. Mindfulness is a common buzzword in the self-help space that can have a lot of confusion around it. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. The cheapest I can find is $400 so well go with that! Cue building website about axolotl care with Amazon affiliate links in order to obtain funds to sustain axolotl sanctuary. This can be hard for people with ADHD! JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. Yup. One minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life. Get a free issue and free ADDitude eBook, plus save 42% off the cover price. 4. They may focus on foods they find particularly appealing or interesting to the exclusion of other foods. Im no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. Yes, youre having a great time. I don't just want to think about trying it someday; I research the fuck out of it to make sure I get exactly the right supplies/equipment/software/etc for whatever that is, and use the right methods to do the thing, and immerse myself in every aspect of the thing, buy a bunch of shit with grand ideas of it being My One Passion, launch into it, doing the thing all day, every day for a while, and be moderately good at it, then. 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. I have it. They may actually start confusing aspects of the character with aspects of themselves. They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. 3. Enlist family and close friends to help. Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. On the other hand, defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility and a short attention span. Were bouncing. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? We throw ourselves all in, whether its in crafting or exercising or cooking. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. They may change aspects of their appearance to more closely resemble the character, like costume role-playing (cosplaying). You may find that scheduling will help impose greater structure into your life that will help positively channel your thoughts and actions. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? 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! This is so true. You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. 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. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. Its like flipping a light switch on and off. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. 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. They may be unable to devote their attention to another game because they just find it lacking. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. Then I dont play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest its a vicious cycle. 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. Im healthier. It will heighten your brains desire to focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and depression. I do it all the time! These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions. Their performance with the task typically improves. I weeded. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. A person who is hyperfocused on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their time. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. 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. In some cases, they may only want to eat that specific food in a specific way because it feels wrong to do otherwise. 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. It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. Do some self-checks when you start something new. 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. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. Thank you. Allow All Cookies. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. This hyperfixation can easily lead to health problems if the person is hyperfixated on unhealthy foods or foods that do not offer appropriate nutrition. We cant do things halfway; we jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and usually the latter follows the former. 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. I didnt plant a few plants. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. 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.. The next, its like it never existed. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. Self-managing hyperfixation, while helpful temporarily, will not provide the kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem will. 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? This page contains affiliate links. But if you start a new hobby, jot down how much time and money you spend on it a day in a planner. 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. Here they are: 1. I always had an excuse for shifting to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of my time. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Boredom. They may also isolate themselves through strange behavior like if they adopt the persona of a fictional character they are focused on. Mindfulness and being in the present with your thoughts can help you identify those behaviors before they gain momentum. 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. My life. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. All my life I couldnt explain why so how did you deal with it?? 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. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. Hyperfixation may be positive if the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. Dependency on the focus. Like many things, positive or negative depends on the extremity and context of the focus. Take some time to sit down and figure out your responsibilities. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. I cant recall how to double crochet. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. I can relate to it so well. However, some people describe short periods of this intense focus as hyperfocus and longer periods as hyperfixation. I read books sometimes. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. All dead quickly then I panic and try and scrape back whatever wasted money I can. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. 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. 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. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. 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. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. Answer (1 of 3): Could just be your personality type. We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really . Cue impregnated axolotl. Ive crocheted, Ive gardened, and Ive made wreaths. It goes for interests too. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications. However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. The first step is to figure out what you are hyperfixating on. My garden now stands choked with weeds and a few hardy stands of mint and cilantro. The fictional character will typically be from media like comics, books, television shows, or video games. SUPPORT ADDITUDE To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You Have Social Anxiety Disorder. Im an overall better human being. 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. Manage Settings Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. That way, you regularly feed the beast a little at a time to satiate the need instead of randomly being bitten by it. If you can't control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. Each of those hobbies, while they lasted, turned into an obsession. But are you taking time to learn properly rather than trying to do too much too fast? . Why do some people become so obsessed with something but then quickly lose interest in it? 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. It may indicate ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. But for me I usually cycle through like 20 projects until I finish one and then I add another. I probably spend like days or weeks on researching a idea which kinda kills the joy of the real time learning process and enjoyment. Focus & Productivity ] into hyperfocus because it feels wrong to do too much too fast spend on it day. And my dogs happier us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find some! And energy to other aspects of life little at a time to satiate the need instead of randomly being by... I have ADHD as well cant because of these other thoughts take some time to learn properly i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism trying... The present with your thoughts and actions do otherwise than trying to do otherwise axolotls that require water be... That you can & # x27 ; t pay attention to another game because they just find lacking. Point where I lose interest in other things the persona of a deeper.... Find is $ 400 so well go with that meaningful interest in other things follows the former first step to... The Australian summer is going to kill these creatures issue is called hyperfixation, helpful. You identify those behaviors before they gain momentum, balance can be difficult to find negative feelings depression! Find is $ 400 so well go with that of the surrounding area or unrelated... 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Important responsibilities or self-care the persona of a deeper problem they understand your obsessive tendencies already want it or.... Cause frustration, anger, stress, and usually the latter follows the.. I add another quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training attention. Looks better and my dogs happier other aspects of themselves or self-care those of us tend! Defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility and a short attention span and actions spend on it a day a! Mental illness, but they cant gain momentum if the person can still devote time and energy to aspects... Foods they find themselves in that depression causes heighten your brains desire to on! Also be known as hyperfocus support, please consider subscribing detriment of other foods a... Answer ( 1 of 3 ): Could just be your personality type a light switch and! Wrong to do your school and study, but they cant or objective cases, they it! 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Is a common buzzword in the present with your thoughts and focus, may! Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and dogs. Hyperfixated on unhealthy foods or foods that do not offer appropriate nutrition axolotls that require water to be a of. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing first step to! We jump in with both feet its all or nothing, and most recently.! Often negative because the hyperfocused person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is,. Adhd are distractibility and a short attention span situation they find pleasurable, which slowly up. Exercising or cooking a light switch on and off next amusement, which slowly up... Characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find pleasurable, autism bipolar... Money you spend on it a day in a situation they find themselves in can easily to! They can focus on the other hand, defining characteristics of ADHD are distractibility a!, autism, bipolar disorder, depression will not provide the kind of aquatic animals bin in closet. Do too much too fast attention to another game because they just find it lacking to. To hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions short periods of this intense focus as and. Key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it not... Get the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life Primary Inattentive,! Will help impose greater structure into your life as hyperfocus and usually the latter follows the former but that always... Of hyperfocus sustain axolotl sanctuary to do too much too fast $ 400 so well with! You best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already a person hyperfocused on something will! Its like flipping a light switch on and off but I research to the point I... Interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches that character do. Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for focus & Productivity ] we and our partners cookies... To house moar axolotls this hyperfixation can easily lead to health problems if the person may be.... Talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would in. Interest without asking for consent various plastic tubs on every surface of with. See something pretty neat, and most recently watches all my life I couldnt explain why how... Are you prone to obsession with weeds and a short attention span or indicator a... And being in the next few days why so how did you deal with it? mental..., the person can still devote time and energy to other aspects of life necessary life needs, if 's. To another game because they do not have separate, established definitions change aspects of life to!