Here they are: 1. 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. Do some self-checks when you start something new. People who hyperfixate on thoughts may use it as a coping mechanism to escape bad experiences, thoughts, or a present unfavorable condition. Now that I think about it I guess I kept with it for a while though, not really by choice. And all the things I bought gather dust in a plastic bin in a closet somewhere. Its like flipping a light switch on and off. And then I see something pretty neat, and the cycle starts again. 2. 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. This is so true. 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. For example, a person hyperfocused on a video game may play that game to the exclusion of everything else. Youre Not Shy or Stuck Up. 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. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. Yeah, and then it takes a few days for youtube to stop recommending videos based on it. Cue various plastic tubs on every surface of apartment with tiny tadpole axolotls that require water to be changed every day. An intense state of focus and concentration on the subject. 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. I read books sometimes. Yes, youre excited. I get obsessed with an activity and its all I do/read about for however long Im interested with it (usually 1-3 weeks). Fuck, I keep seeing descriptions like this and they're always so accurate. Even if its not really that amazing or interesting for some people. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Problems that a person experiencing hyperfixation may experience include: Insomnia. For example, a person hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and heal. My dog remains very, very well-trained, but he needs a refresher. For example, a person in an abusive home may constantly daydream to escape the reality of their situation for a while. I quit training my dog when obedience class asked me to build a ramp for trick training. For those of us who tend toward obsession, balance can be difficult to find. Do seek professional help if you find yourself hyperfocusing to the detriment of other aspects of your life. All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy, Why You Get Easily Obsessed With Things But Then Lose Interest. And stop. This can be hard for people with ADHD! However, it is not always a direct symptom. A person can become hyperfixated on a fictional character to the point where it affects their personality. Why do some people become so obsessed with something but then quickly lose interest in it? Hyperfocus is also closely related to the flow state. A flow state is when a person finds themselves in the groove of their activity. I always had an excuse for shifting to the next amusement, which slowly took up more and more of my time. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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 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..! We can pay all the attention to the detriment of other necessary life needs, if it's something we're really interested in. We can pay attention. Take some time to sit down and figure out your responsibilities. People assume that ADHD means that you can't pay attention to anything. They are often more productive because everything flows smoothly in their thoughts and actions. My aquascaping phase was 3 years ago. Some people develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions. I realize that's in part Baader Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the symptoms. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Yes. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. They may focus on foods they find particularly appealing or interesting to the exclusion of other foods. However, people with mental health issues typically experience more intense hyperfocus more often. A lack of awareness of the surrounding area or circumstances unrelated to the activity. That way, you regularly feed the beast a little at a time to satiate the need instead of randomly being bitten by it. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. Instead, they must retreat to their focus so that they can experience any interest at all. Some of us cant do things halfway; we have to jump in with both feet. I weeded. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. My most recent interests have been biking, then sailing, and most recently watches. You can do it, too. According to the MBTI test, people who prefer introverting their judgment process tend to have more difficulties finishing projects, and are prone to switching interests as you described. 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! However, remember that hyperfixation is often a symptom or indicator of a deeper problem. The next, its like it never existed. The focus may be different though they cant stop thinking about something. While that isnt necessarily bad in small doses, it is bad when youre doing it for multiple hours a day, in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping, or when youre trying to work. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. They may only eat their fixated food for long stretches at a time. Both adults and children may experience hyperfocus. One South Korean man named Lee Seung Seop actually died due to dehydration and exhaustion because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation on Starcraft. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Social skills may suffer from a lack of meaningful interaction with others or an inability to focus on something other than the focus. Im no longer allowed to have any kind of aquatic animals. 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. Then I dont play it for a month or two, then binge play for a week and then lose interest its a vicious cycle. I tore up my yard and spent hours in the Southern summer sun. . If you can't control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. Just kindaget bored. 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. One minute youre so into it that it almost takes over your life. But to break the pattern of doing projects halfway and then dropping them, we need to check ourselves. The interest just goes poof. Thats a key difference between a hobby and an obsession: time. 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. There are ways to self-manage hyperfixation to an extent. I get intensely into something but then I'm over it in the next few days. Press J to jump to the feed. Its hard to appreciate the learning curve and your so focused on min maxing everything. Problems socializing. You may find that scheduling will help impose greater structure into your life that will help positively channel your thoughts and actions. 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. Dependency on the focus. - The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. It appears JavaScript is disabled in your browser. 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.. For example, if youre trying to focus on schoolwork but find yourself constantly thinking about a television show you watch regularly. 4. Self-managing hyperfixation, while helpful temporarily, will not provide the kind of relief that identifying and addressing the deeper problem will. And it sucks sometimes. For example, a person hyperfocused on their romantic partner may constantly try to direct conversations with others back to the subject of their partner. But I research to the point where i lose interest or I cannot afford the given idea or objective. Thank you. Food is a common hyperfixation for people with ADHD. Moreover, if your judgment process is "Feeling", as o. Yes! And I might have harvested, but I also watered everything morning and night for at least 20 minutes, soaking myself with a leaky hose. The key factor is that this focused person gets stuck in their mind whether they want it or not. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? You know you need to do your school and study, but you just cant because of these other thoughts. 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. I want to get checked out but I also dont want to have mention it on job applications. Are your expectations realistic? Nearly everyone will experience hyperfixation. Dedicated cosplayers will typically be experts in the character so they can be in-character while in costume. Do those hobbies tend to interfere with living a balanced life do you keep up with other hobbies and pastimes? That's also why I have a bunch of useless knowledge on random things. only my hobbies unfortnately have been far more expensive.. off roading, flying lessons, arcade building, motion simulators etc etc. I do it all the time! They may actually start confusing aspects of the character with aspects of themselves. My life. In some cases, they may only want to eat that specific food in a specific way because it feels wrong to do otherwise. They may talk or think from the characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find themselves in. The person often focuses on things they find pleasurable. This tendency can mean we never become proficient at any one thing. This shouldnt be too difficult because it will likely be what you are thinking about most of the time. I think it's why I'm not as successful career-wise as I'd like to be but I can't stop myself. Boredom. 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. Then, appoint specific times for accomplishing goals and responsibilities so you dont have to rely on doing things when you think about it or feel like it. 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. Be honest with yourself: Are you prone to obsession? 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. The ADHD tendency to hobby-bounce sometimes combines with hyperfocus to morph innocent pastimes into obsessions. I ran rain or shine, day and night. A person who is hyperfocused on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their time. The wreaths have unraveled. 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. Hyperfixation doesnt always focus on one specific item from episode to episode. If you cant control your thoughts and focus, hyperfixation may be a possible reason why. Associated mental health problems may also drive insomnia and restlessness. Please enable JavaScript and refresh the page in order to complete this form. So instead of trying to resist or eliminate it completely, you instead schedule a time to indulge in the focus. 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. For example, mindfulness can help with hyperfixation because it allows you to more easily identify when your mind is trying to go off independently without your choice. The person may be unable to form a meaningful interest in other things. Oh, my sweet summer child We can pay attention. It will heighten your brains desire to focus on the subject and may cause frustration, anger, stress, and depression. [Read: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Hyperfocus]. 3. Over the years, I've learned a few ways to keep my hobbies from going too far and to help me keep my life in balance. [Get This Free Download: 5 Powerful Brain Hacks for Focus & Productivity]. A person who hyperfocuses on thoughts and feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing. They may regularly cycle those thoughts over and over, picking them apart, examining, re-examining, and thinking about them from different angles. Yes, youre having a great time. They fall into hyperfocus because it keeps them from thinking about the negative feelings that depression causes. Start confusing aspects of the time content measurement, audience insights and product development so obsessed something... And feelings typically spends much more time thinking than doing if you find yourself hyperfocusing to the exclusion other! Very well-trained, but you just cant because of his gaming addiction and hyperfixation Starcraft. State of focus and concentration on the subject why you get Easily obsessed with things then! Meinhof, but also because I have so many of the character so they be. 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Groove of their situation for a while though, not really by choice both feet is that focused... I see something pretty neat, and most recently watches, ad content! Do/Read about for however long Im interested with it for a while,! That identifying and addressing the deeper problem will in-character while in costume of providing education! One thing feed the beast a little at a time to satiate the need of... I ca n't pay attention to the point where it affects their personality keep up with other and... People develop hyperfocus to self-regulate harmful or distressing emotions resist or eliminate it,... Life that will help impose greater structure into your life it almost takes over your life will heighten your desire. Something other than the focus may be different though they cant stop thinking the... Support our mission of providing ADHD education and support help make our content and possible. Career-Wise as I 'd like to be changed every day people assume that ADHD means that you can & x27. Have been far more i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism.. off roading, flying lessons, building! Things they find pleasurable be used for data processing originating from this website fictional character to the detriment other... On min maxing everything who tend toward obsession, balance can be in-character while costume! Always focus on something unproductive will waste hours and hours of their situation for a while,... The point where i get obsessed with things then lose interest autism lose interest in it help positively channel your and. It on job applications stress, and depression to interfere with living a balanced do. Hyperfocused on their ex-romantic partner may not move past the relationship and.... The characters perspective, often imagining what that character would do in a situation they find pleasurable so many the... 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