"I can't have ADHD, I can focus for hours on things that interest me!"
— me, right before I was diagnosed
Turns out that was a thing called hyperfocus, a symptom of ADHD.
— me, right before I was diagnosed
Turns out that was a thing called hyperfocus, a symptom of ADHD.
Growing up, I always knew I could intensely focus on things I was interested in.
Whether it was playing video games, teaching myself Photoshop, reading about Star Wars, organizing trading cards, or some other nerdy hobby… I could spend hours in these worlds.
Whether it was playing video games, teaching myself Photoshop, reading about Star Wars, organizing trading cards, or some other nerdy hobby… I could spend hours in these worlds.
I wasn't just focused, I was _hyper_ focused.
So focused that other signals couldn't reach me.
Bathroom breaks?
Meals?
Appointments?
Someone calling my name?
The existence of time?
None of those could get through when I was in my zone.
So focused that other signals couldn't reach me.
Bathroom breaks?
Meals?
Appointments?
Someone calling my name?
The existence of time?
None of those could get through when I was in my zone.
Finally, at some point I would snap out of it.
Those signals had been collecting in a queue, waiting for me to realize they were there.
Suddenly, I'm sprinting to the bathroom, apologizing to someone, or swearing at myself for missing something important.
Those signals had been collecting in a queue, waiting for me to realize they were there.
Suddenly, I'm sprinting to the bathroom, apologizing to someone, or swearing at myself for missing something important.
When at its best, you can be super productive.
You might have avoided an important project or school paper for the last 4 weeks, but suddenly the urgency of tomorrow's deadline sends you to hyperfocus.
You work at 10x speed, and finish the entire thing in one (sleepless) night.
You might have avoided an important project or school paper for the last 4 weeks, but suddenly the urgency of tomorrow's deadline sends you to hyperfocus.
You work at 10x speed, and finish the entire thing in one (sleepless) night.
But at its worst, hyperfocus can waste your time and energy with little to show for it.
Hours disappear and you're left with only reorganized collections or sorted crafts.
Everything important fades into the background.
Hours disappear and you're left with only reorganized collections or sorted crafts.
Everything important fades into the background.
Hyperfocus gives you unrealistic expectations of your performance and ability to get things done.
When you aren't moving at 10x speed, you feel like you are falling short of your potential.
We falsely think of hyperfocus as the "norm", and anything less as a failing.
When you aren't moving at 10x speed, you feel like you are falling short of your potential.
We falsely think of hyperfocus as the "norm", and anything less as a failing.
Finally, hyperfocus often leaves in a blaze a glory.
Hello burnout and overwhelm.
It can feel impossible to do simple tasks or rekindle interest once you've hit that point.
Hello burnout and overwhelm.
It can feel impossible to do simple tasks or rekindle interest once you've hit that point.
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📮 Join my free ADHD newsletter (extrafocus.io)
➕ Follow me and say hello!
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