You may probably have heard somewhere how ADHD, the neurodivergent disorder, is all about inattention and hyperactivity. But did you know, one of its symptoms has the ability to provide you with a superpower that does the exact opposite? Hyperfocus in ADHD is capable of putting you into “the zone” where all the creative juices and all the attention span in the world have one job: focus. Let’s explain to you how it is possible, while also discussing and answering the question: is hyperfocus a symptom of ADHD:
Defining ADHD
Abbreviated from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it is a neurodivergent disorder that is defined by symptoms that affect the executive functioning of the affected individual. Executing functioning relates to the tasks that are needed to survive every day in life. These include focus, calmness, and regulated emotions. ADHD’s symptoms such as inattention, procrastination, and emotional dysregulation. There is also one lesser-known symptom known as hyperfocus but isn’t it conflicting with other symptoms of ADHD? Let’s find out why that is the case.
Read More: What is Executive Dysfunction ADHD? Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments
What is hyperfocus in ADHD?
As the name suggests, hyperfocus essentially is a period of deep concentration and intense motivation that some people tend to suffer as a symptom of when affected with ADHD. The word deficit in ADHD’s definition doesn’t necessarily mean that it cuts out on the focus part but is more like defining the excessive dysregulation of execution functions, like focus. Sometimes it is too much and sometimes it is not there at all.
Sometimes it is the case that some mundane tasks (usually that have to do with everyday life) are off the books for the affected individuals but some tasks like reading are extremely immersive. The focus when the affected individual is on this task is tremendous and even more than what normal people have. This is what experts call hyperfocus, and this is the period where you are essentially in “the zone” as people call it. Hyperfocus can happen without ADHD but in people with ADHD, it is more likely to happen(1).
What does it feel like to be in the zone?
Hyperfocus in ADHD feels like you have ultrafocus and you also feel happy while also being generally energetic during this period. While it is a symptom but it seems to you it is more beneficial because you are able to tune out distractions when you are in the hyperfocus mode.
Is it related to hyperfixation?
Being similar trait-wise and even having the same cause – ADHD, hyperfocus, and hyperfixation can obviously be confused yet they are not the same thing. Not by a mile. While hyperfocus and hyperfixation, both feature highly intense feelings of concentration, these feelings do have a tendency of becoming unmanageable and can come to a point where your needs are not being met even. An example would be a child affected with ADHD who is hyper fixated on playing a video game but in that pursuit, you avoid eating and even going to the loo, which can have serious consequences.
ADHD Symptoms in Hyperfocus Mode
When children are hyper focused they could be seen being 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 tend to really enjoy.
Read More: Psychotherapy For ADHD in Adults
Adults
Adults tend to hyper-focus on things that relate to work or tasks around the home. You forget to eat or miss an important meeting.
The Symptom of Hyperfocus in ADHD is the reason there is an “ADHD Tax”
People who are affected with ADHD are familiar with the “ADHD tax” as at some point in their lives they remember being obsessed with one of their interests so much so that they actually forget their chores, to eat, etc.
More often than not the case will be that they will try to get all the items that are needed to make them “master” of the new craft but then hit a little snag and will never try to take them out of the attic again. This is the main reason many sufferers consider hyper-focused ADHD symptoms, the ADHD tax. For the sufferers, this ADHD tax is like speeding down the highway toward burnout. They don’t stop until they have reached their own boundaries for what should be considered as some exceptional time spent learning their new craft.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Hyperfocus in ADHD
Benefits of ADHD Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus can have a positive effect on many of the affected people. Benefits include:
- Higher productivity because of the long periods of focus
- Increased motivation and engagement with activities
- Raging levels of persistence on tasks
- Improved learning and memory retention
- Hyperfocus can be harnessed to be a positive thing, and not necessarily a negative.
Downsides of ADHD Hyperfocus
While hyperfocus has its benefits, too much of anything can become a bad thing. This usually happens when it becomes hyperfixation. Someone who is hyper-fixated on an activity may ignore other tasks, like homework or work obligations. Hyperfixation is capable of also causing:
- Losing track of time
- Difficulty transitioning to a different activity
- Excessive concern over minor details that aren’t important
- Losing touch with surroundings
- Neglecting responsibilities or personal needs
ADHD is different for all, so always keep in mind how one’s hyper fixations are another person’s object of hyperfocus.
Read More: Calming Activities For ADHD in Children
Coping with ADHD and Hyperfocus
Both of these need to be handled delicately. Regulation of these periods relating to hyperfocus in ADHD is important. It is difficult to bring yourself out from under the spell of “the zone”, so there are certain ways(2) that can be followed before you get carried away and forget the important things in life. You can break the zone by:
- Tell yourself that hyperfocus in ADHD is actually a symptom
- Create and enforce a routine for common hyperfocus activities like video games
- Try to find interests that are more keen on incorporating social interactions
- While it may be difficult to pull yourself out of a state of hyperfocus, try using markers with someone’s help, such as the end of a TV show, as a signal to refocus your attention. Unless something or someone interrupts, hours will drift by while important tasks, appointments, and relationships will take a backseat
Treating ADHD And How To Stop Hyperfocus
How to treat ADHD and how to stop hyperfocus in ADHD are the types of questions that have been misunderstood, not knowing that the latter relates to the former’s symptoms. It is neither the same thing nor part of the things that are unrelated. Additionally, there are no medications or treatments for curbing hyperfocus but you can manage it indirectly by using methods used for treating ADHD.
Medication
This is wholly dependent on the type of ADHD and the severity or intensity of the symptoms. Dosage and the type will be recommended based on that. For ADHD, there are two different types of medication in existence, stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants are the medications that are used to reduce the reabsorption of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine and these are used predominantly for adult ADHD symptoms. Examples include but are not limited to amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine.
If the associated side effects go out of hand or the stimulants have not decreased symptoms, then non-stimulants are used. Certain non-stimulant medications work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine (which is thought to help with attention and memory) in the brain but are not as quick as the stimulants, although chances to have excessive side-effects with these is lower.
Therapy
The most suitable ones are psychotherapies, which are also called talk therapy. These are the types of therapy that are used for helping patients come to terms with their symptoms of mental conditions such as hyperfocus in ADHD. A couple of therapies related to this type exist. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a good example of this. It is a short-term, goal-focused form of behavioral therapy that’s good at treating different symptoms of ADHD. It aims to re-assess patterns of thinking that cause distress and affect a patient’s mood and view of the world and themselves.
Another one is neurofeedback therapy, which is a noninvasive way of using a device to monitor and display brain activity. Similar to an electroencephalogram (EEG), a monitor shows brain wave patterns that change as you or your child engage in a specific task. With that information, you or your child apply the feedback on certain behaviors, say for example, to hyperfocus in ADHD. These therapies can be combined with psychiatric medication management (medication plans that are monitored by experts) to avail better chances of treating symptoms like ADHD’s hyperfocus symptoms rather than asking questions like, “Is hyperfocus a sign of ADHD?”.
Read More: ADHD and Gaming: The Link That Binds Them
Wrapping Up
We are at the end of this informational piece about the symptoms of hyperfocus in ADHD. We have discussed what it is, and how it relates to other conditions, and in the end, we have also talked about how to stop hyperfocus in ADHD. For the treatment part, our experts at Inland Empire Behavioral Group we are more than capable of treating a symptom like hyperfocus in ADHD and other mental conditions such as Depression, OCD, or Bipolar disorder.
