Thread by @cloudpup_

I just found out about autistic inertia and omfg this is the biggest difference between autism and ADHD I have discovered yet, especially as it relates to hyperfocus.

#ActuallyAutistic #adhdtwitter #AuDHD

ADHD hyperfocus: distraction by something more stimulating than current/prior focus, maintained until it is no longer stimulating or interesting.

Autistic hyperfocus: fixation on a task that cannot be broken until task is complete, DESPITE desire to stop focusing on it.

I had no idea this was an autism thing. 😩 This hurts me regularly. When I get an idea in my head, I HAVE to deep dive into it until it's done. I lose all time. I lose sleep. It's the first & last thing I think about each day. and I cannot let it go even when I want to be DONE.

I can't just *make a decision* to get it over with. I have to research and figure out every detail of said thing, until I feel I have all the information, and then I can move forward. I can't just assume based on a bit of info, I need the full and total picture.

I spend so much time on every little detail, things take me ages to complete, and I really can't stand it. I end up so sore from sitting at the computer obsessively researching and compiling information, I get migraines and chronic pain flare ups bc I can't stop.

I get flustered with having to keep up with any other obligations when I am stuck on something like this. I'll go all day without eating, forget to go to the bathroom or drink water, get frustrated when the day is over and I have to step away to take care of my needs.

Of course it is very pleasurable at first! Something exciting, interest based, inspiring.. but then it takes over, becoming all-consuming and deeply uncomfortable.

It also creates shame, as I cannot rip myself away from the obsession, so I fall behind with responsibilities.

As for AuDHD, this means I have distractions stacked on top of fixations. The fixation consumes me, always running in the background even when not in the foreground, then side distractions pop up, sending me down ultra specific rabbit holes until I remember the fixation.

It's anywhere between exhilarating and exhausting, but it feels I have no control over it. It's almost like being in a trance sometimes, impossible to will myself to change course. 😮‍💨