You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. Indicators may include: - A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. 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. Cue impregnated axolotl. Id collapse if I ran up our block, and Ive forgotten all my yoga poses. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? Something sparks me as a fun idea? The interest just goes poof. bruh I'm super into aquascaping right now and I hope I don't get sick of it like I did for everything else :(. discord shutting down 2023. black moon lilith conjunct ascendant synastry The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. 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 can relate to it so well. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? The hyperfixated person will develop a strong passion for the character that may interfere with their relationships, self-care, and regular lives. Our mission is to be your trusted advisor, an unwavering source of understanding and guidance along the path to wellness. Because, of course, Id garden again next year, right? 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. Here they are: 1. 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. All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy, Why You Get Easily Obsessed With Things But Then Lose Interest. I've been like this my entire life. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. I didnt plant a few plants. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. Hyperfixation is often thought to be a symptom of mental illness, but that isnt always the case. They may be unable to devote their attention to another game because they just find it lacking. Though hyperfocus may be on something productive like housework or work, one may fixate on some common negative focuses. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The hyperfocused person will likely find their focus distracting. ADDitude collaborates closely with leading medical experts to publish accurate, clear, and authoritative content that millions of readers trust and share. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. 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. However, you may also consider thoughts you dont want. They know you best and they understand your obsessive tendencies already. For example, depression will not typically cause hyperfocus, but a hyperfocused person may be depressed. Get a free issue and free ADDitude eBook, plus save 42% off the cover price. 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 do it all the time! Im healthier. I get obsessed with an activity and its all I do/read about for however long Im interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. I fertilized and researched and kept records. Since Ive broken the obsession cycle, my garden looks better and my dogs happier. These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by professionals, because they do not have separate, established definitions. Ask yourself if you jump from hobby to hobby, spending inordinate amounts of time and money on each, only to drop them cold. Thank you for reading ADDitude. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. Your description is on point! - The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. Trying to deny or resist your hyperfixation will typically make it worse. 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. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. Hyperfocus is also closely related to the flow state. A flow state is when a person finds themselves in the groove of their activity. Video games may also be another source of hyperfocus. I know this is an old comment but I can relate to this perfectly. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. 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. Enlist family and close friends to help. This mental health issue is called hyperfixation, though it may also be known as hyperfocus. 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? It is often negative because the hyperfocused person may neglect important responsibilities or self-care. Im an overall better human being. That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. Self-managing hyperfixation, while helpful temporarily, will not provide the kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem will. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. 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. This is like the best description of ADHD-PI I've seen so far! 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. Typically, they want to get the person out of their head so they can focus on more productive things, but they cant. Associated mental health problems may also drive insomnia and restlessness. Are your expectations realistic? Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. Thats a key difference between a hobby and an obsession: time. Cue disease outbreak in tank that kills all axolotls. I find something that I'm really interested in. Moreover, if your judgment process is "Feeling", as o. Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. It's a big symptom of ADHD-PI (Primary Inattentive), called hyperfocus. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. Here they are: 1. Oh, my sweet summer child. JaxenGrey 4 yr. ago. I got really into dog training, then running, then yoga. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. The person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. Do some self-checks when you start something new. Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Boredom. The person may have difficulty finding any interest or satisfaction in other things. 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. 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..! There are ways to self-manage hyperfixation to an extent. 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. I read books sometimes. Yes, youre having a great time. 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. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications. Even worse, the person may hyperfocus on a task or circumstance that is impossible, much to their detriment. The next, its like it never existed. Cue hundreds of eggs laid and birthed. Dependency on the focus. However, it is not always a direct symptom. My garden now stands choked with weeds and a few hardy stands of mint and cilantro. SUPPORT ADDITUDE I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It will heighten your brains desire to focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and depression. 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. 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i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism