It's important to remember that general hyperfixation is not exclusive to neurodivergent people. Neurotypicals have also reported intense focus on things that capture their interest.
Almost everyone has experienced moments of hyperfixation in their lives. Having said that, people with ADHD, ASD (Autism Spectrum) and schizophrenia are likely to experience hyperfixation more intensely and more frequently than neurotypical people [1].
Although hyperfixation is not a diagnosable mental health condition, it can be a characteristic of several different disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Hyperfixation is most common in neurodivergent people, i.e. those with autism, ADHD, OCD, and other related conditions. For neurodivergent people, too, hyperfixation can make it difficult or impossible to focus on anything else other than the task they are immersed in.
Many neurotypicals (NTs) struggle with the idea that not everyone experiences the world in the same way they do — it likely comes from being part of the privileged majority, which can cause pathological behaviours.
Hyperfixation occurs when your teen becomes so fully engaged in something that they can't think of anything else until they finish what they're doing, or someone pulls them away from it. People most commonly hyperfocus on people, places, food, TV shows, hobbies, or even their own thoughts.
Hyperfixation, also referred to as hyperfocus, is commonly connected with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism, and depression.
Intense emotions and hyperfocus
New relationships or crushes are exciting and (mostly) enjoyable. But for kids with ADHD, that excitement and enjoyment can sometimes go too far. Your child might hyperfocus on the relationship, while schoolwork, sports, family, and friends take a backseat.
Neurotypical individuals also develop special interests, often in the form of hobbies. Although past research has focused on special interests held by children with autism spectrum disorder, little is known about their role in adulthood.
You absolutely are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette's syndrome. You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.
Hyperfixation refers to a broader interest or passion that lasts over a longer time period, while hyperfocus is a more task-driven form of intense focus and refers to a shorter time period, usually hours or days.
Just about anyone can slip into hyperfocus mode. But experts say it's more common -- and happens more often -- in people with ADHD. It may be because their brains are less sensitive to a chemical called dopamine, which is linked to reward and attention.
Hyperfixation is not unique to individuals with ADHD. But almost every child and adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) knows what it feels like to become so engrossed in something — a book, a home project, a video game — that they block out the world around them for hours at a time.
Have you ever eaten so much that your stomach hurt and left you asking, “Why did I do that?” Adults with ADHD tend to eat their food faster, which can lead to over consumption – your stomach doesn't have enough time to signal to your brain that you are satisfied. Use these strategies to curb impulsive eating: 1.
While all kinds of people can fall in love, the experience of people with ADHD falling in love can be more intense for them. This is because the person with ADHD can hyperfocus on the person they are in love with.
Hyperfixation and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessions are a characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder² (OCD), a condition in which an individual experiences discomfort due to somewhat irrational and anxiety-inducing thoughts. Individuals with OCD may also experience hyperfixation as a symptom.
Anxiety is an emotion that you feel when you're worried about something. Your body tenses up, and your mind becomes fixated on the thing you're worried about. It can be hard to concentrate on anything else. Anxiety can also affect your appetite and make it hard to sleep.
Common examples of hyperfixation include activities like video games, tinkering with a craft project, or watching TV. Periods of high motivation can capture the interest of some people for long periods of time, sometimes longer than they might otherwise have intended.
Hyperfixation is the immense focus on one person, activity or object and excluding or ignoring everything else. Hyperfixation involves complete dedication and absorption on a single task, where anything beyond that task is 'tuned out.
Some people will hyperfixate on one thing for months at a time, while other hyperfixation episodes may last just a few days. You might also pick up an interest really quickly and then drop it just as suddenly after some time.
Neurotypicals misinterpret this as being callous, narcissistic, uncaring, or socially inept. Taken together, the vulnerability of a person with ADHD to the negative feedback of others, and the lack of ability to observe oneself in the moment, make a witch's brew.
tantrums and meltdowns can both occur in neurotypical children AND in neurodivergent children. An Autistic, anxious or SPD child can have a “plain vanilla” tantrum”, just as much as a neurotypical child can experience a sensory overload meltdown.
Learning about neurodiversity can help you move the focus from impairments towards everyone's different abilities. It is thought that up to 15% of the population are thought to be neurodiverse. The remaining majority are neurotypical.