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The nameattention deficit disordercan give the impression that if you have ADHD you can’tfocusor pay attention to anything. However, this is misleading because ADHD is actually a problem ofregulatingattention rather than a lack of attention.

Children and adults with ADHDfind it very hard to focus on boring mundane tasks, yet can focus exceptionally well on activities that interest them. In fact, when they are engaged in a task that is interesting to them, they focus so well that it is calledhyperfocus.

What Does Hyperfocus Look Like?

When someone is in hyperfocus mode they become so immersed in the task that they are oblivious to everything else going on around them. They can become so focused that they do not pause to eat, drink, or use the bathroom.You may notice this when achild with ADHDis playing a video game and you try to get their attention. You call them, but you get no answer. You try calling louder, but you still get no answer. Finally, you raise your voice to a shout, and you realize you might have to get their attention a different way.

Benefits of Hyperfocus in People With ADHD

People who are in this state of intense focus are goal-directed and feel contentment and satisfaction. What they are doing isintrinsically rewardingand triggers the release ofdopamine, and that motivates them to continue. There is often a heightened degree of creativity and skill attainment while in a state of hyperfocus or flow.For example:

Negative Effects of Hyperfocus

Unfortunately, if it is not managed properly, hyperfocus can cause many problems.Some people escape into their own worlds, neglecting those around them, and ignoring important tasks that need to get done. Personal hygiene may go out the window, and eating habits could revolve around quick and easy snacks. If this occurs, school and work performance suffer, personal health is negatively impacted, and relationships become strained. Some people refer to this ashyperfixation,another term used interchangeably with hyperfocus but it has a more negative connotation.For example:

6 Tips for Getting the Most from Hyperfocus

Give these tips a try to take advantage of hyperfocus.

Hyperfocus can be your superpower in the case of getting into your “flow” state, or it can be your kryptonite in the case of hyperfixation. If you have ADHD, lean into the positive attributes of your ability to hyperfocus so it works to your benefit. If you find yourself excessively fixated on activities to the detriment of your personal health, mental well-being, and social life, consider talking to your doctor about getting some professional help or try one of theonline therapyprograms such as Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. There are also tons ofADHD resources and support groups.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Peifer C, Schulz A, Schächinger H, Baumann N, Antoni CH.The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress — Can u shape it?Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2014;53:62-69. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.01.009Ashinoff BK, Abu-Akel A.Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention.Psychological Research. 2021;85(1):1-19. doi:10.1007%2Fs00426-019-01245-8Csikszentmihalyi M.Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper and Row; 1990.Marty-Dugas J, Smilek D.Deep, effortless concentration: Re-examining the flow concept and exploring relations with inattention, absorption, and personality.Psychological Research. 2019;83(8):1760-1777. doi:10.1007/s00426-018-1031-6Hupfeld KE, Abagis TR, Shah P.Living “in the zone”: Hyperfocus in adult ADHD.ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord.2019;11(2):191-208. doi:10.1007/s12402-018-0272-yAttention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & hyperfixation: The phenomenon of extreme focus.Ishii S, Takagi S, Kobayashi N, Jitoku D, Sugihara G, Takahashi H.Hyperfocus symptom and internet addiction in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder trait.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1127777. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1127777Kolberg J, Nadeau KG.ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life: Strategies That Work from an Acclaimed Professional Organizer and a Renowned ADD Clinician. 2nd Ed. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2017.Additional ReadingNadeau KG.Adventures in Fast Forward: Life, Love, and Work for the ADD Adult. Brunner-Routledge; 1996.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Peifer C, Schulz A, Schächinger H, Baumann N, Antoni CH.The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress — Can u shape it?Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2014;53:62-69. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.01.009Ashinoff BK, Abu-Akel A.Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention.Psychological Research. 2021;85(1):1-19. doi:10.1007%2Fs00426-019-01245-8Csikszentmihalyi M.Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper and Row; 1990.Marty-Dugas J, Smilek D.Deep, effortless concentration: Re-examining the flow concept and exploring relations with inattention, absorption, and personality.Psychological Research. 2019;83(8):1760-1777. doi:10.1007/s00426-018-1031-6Hupfeld KE, Abagis TR, Shah P.Living “in the zone”: Hyperfocus in adult ADHD.ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord.2019;11(2):191-208. doi:10.1007/s12402-018-0272-yAttention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & hyperfixation: The phenomenon of extreme focus.Ishii S, Takagi S, Kobayashi N, Jitoku D, Sugihara G, Takahashi H.Hyperfocus symptom and internet addiction in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder trait.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1127777. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1127777Kolberg J, Nadeau KG.ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life: Strategies That Work from an Acclaimed Professional Organizer and a Renowned ADD Clinician. 2nd Ed. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2017.Additional ReadingNadeau KG.Adventures in Fast Forward: Life, Love, and Work for the ADD Adult. Brunner-Routledge; 1996.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Peifer C, Schulz A, Schächinger H, Baumann N, Antoni CH.The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress — Can u shape it?Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2014;53:62-69. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.01.009Ashinoff BK, Abu-Akel A.Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention.Psychological Research. 2021;85(1):1-19. doi:10.1007%2Fs00426-019-01245-8Csikszentmihalyi M.Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper and Row; 1990.Marty-Dugas J, Smilek D.Deep, effortless concentration: Re-examining the flow concept and exploring relations with inattention, absorption, and personality.Psychological Research. 2019;83(8):1760-1777. doi:10.1007/s00426-018-1031-6Hupfeld KE, Abagis TR, Shah P.Living “in the zone”: Hyperfocus in adult ADHD.ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord.2019;11(2):191-208. doi:10.1007/s12402-018-0272-yAttention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & hyperfixation: The phenomenon of extreme focus.Ishii S, Takagi S, Kobayashi N, Jitoku D, Sugihara G, Takahashi H.Hyperfocus symptom and internet addiction in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder trait.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1127777. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1127777Kolberg J, Nadeau KG.ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life: Strategies That Work from an Acclaimed Professional Organizer and a Renowned ADD Clinician. 2nd Ed. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2017.

Peifer C, Schulz A, Schächinger H, Baumann N, Antoni CH.The relation of flow-experience and physiological arousal under stress — Can u shape it?Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2014;53:62-69. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.01.009

Ashinoff BK, Abu-Akel A.Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention.Psychological Research. 2021;85(1):1-19. doi:10.1007%2Fs00426-019-01245-8

Csikszentmihalyi M.Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper and Row; 1990.

Marty-Dugas J, Smilek D.Deep, effortless concentration: Re-examining the flow concept and exploring relations with inattention, absorption, and personality.Psychological Research. 2019;83(8):1760-1777. doi:10.1007/s00426-018-1031-6

Hupfeld KE, Abagis TR, Shah P.Living “in the zone”: Hyperfocus in adult ADHD.ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord.2019;11(2):191-208. doi:10.1007/s12402-018-0272-y

Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & hyperfixation: The phenomenon of extreme focus.

Ishii S, Takagi S, Kobayashi N, Jitoku D, Sugihara G, Takahashi H.Hyperfocus symptom and internet addiction in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder trait.Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1127777. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1127777

Kolberg J, Nadeau KG.ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life: Strategies That Work from an Acclaimed Professional Organizer and a Renowned ADD Clinician. 2nd Ed. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group; 2017.

Nadeau KG.Adventures in Fast Forward: Life, Love, and Work for the ADD Adult. Brunner-Routledge; 1996.

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