Hyperfixation is a term used to describe episodes of intense focus on a single, enjoyable activity. Although anyone can become hyperfixated on a particular experience, this state of being is common in adults who struggle with ADHD and other mental health disorders.
People can hyperfixate on absolutely anything, from reading, scrolling online, doing exercise, a creative project, a field of study, or collecting a particular item, to hyperfixation on a person. Read on to discover the symptoms of hyperfixation, the link between hyperfixation and ADHD, and how to manage hyperfixation episodes.
Hyperfixation Definition
What is a hyperfixation? An intense, prolonged obsession with and complete absorption in a task, activity, or thing, to the oblivion of everything else. In fact, even neurotypical people can become very preoccupied with a certain thrilling or very enjoyable activity.
For example, if you’ve just discovered knitting for the first time, you may find yourself knitting for many hours at a time. However, this does not necessarily constitute a hyperfixation if you are capable of also attending to basic needs like using the bathroom or taking a drink when thirsty.
Contrastingly, neurodivergent people have a difficult time refocusing once they are hyperfixated. They can go for many long hours engrossed in the activity they enjoy, while neglecting to eat, sleep, and attend to other responsibilities. They describe it as being in a trance, completely removed from reality, until something pulls them out of their dream-like state.
Hyperfixation vs Obsession
What’s the difference between hyperfixation vs special interest? While hyperfixation is not a clinical diagnosis, it is used by diagnosticians to help them diagnose ADHD, autism, and other conditions. It is often a symptom of a mental health condition, although some people may hyperfixate without having a bigger, diagnosable issue.
People use the word ‘hyperfocus’ and ‘obsession’ interchangeably with ‘hyperfixation,’ but these are, in fact, two different phenomena. Hyperfixation is engaging in an activity that brings the person pleasure, excitement, and satisfaction. It is driven by passion and intense interest, and can cause the person to neglect other aspects of their life.
On the other hand, hyperfocus is where a person enters a productive state of mind, where they focus intensely at a specific task to ensure it gets done. When people hyperfocus, they are driven by a goal and therefore have a clear sense of direction and purpose to achieve the objective.
The Difference Between Hyperfixation and Addiction
People struggling with addiction may receive a dual diagnosis with hyperfixation as a symptom. In other words, people with addiction may also experience hyperfixation, which is an indication of an underlying mental health disorder. However, these phenomena are intrinsically different.
Addiction may start as an escape to difficult emotions, but eventually becomes a chemical imbalance in the brain and a physical dependance of the body. A person who is addicted needs their substance of choice to avoid physical withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and extreme agitation.
Alternatively, hyperfixation is a behavioral phenomenon, where the person engages in a certain activity or hobby for a long stretch of time, often as the result of a mental health condition or to escape uncomfortable emotions. The person may lose their interest in the same activity for some time and will not experience withdrawal symptoms when concentrating on other things for a while.
What Are The Symptoms of Hyperfixation?
As mentioned previously, it’s normal to sometimes become very preoccupied with an activity or hobby that is highly enjoyable. You may find yourself enjoying a particular genre of music for an extended period, watching a thrilling movie for many hours at a time, or painting obsessively for a while.
Engaging in a particular activity or interest is okay, as long as you don’t present the following symptoms, which indicate hyperfixation:
- Losing track of time- This could look like starting an activity at 10.00 AM and engaging in it until 6.00 PM without once noticing the passage of time.
- Skipping obligations and responsibilities- In a hyperfixed state, a person may neglect to work, miss important appointments, or forget about duties like making dinner.
- Neglecting basic needs- This includes forgetting to eat, drink, use the bathroom, or tend to other basic bodily needs.
- Disregarding friends and family- Hyperfixation can cause a person to neglect their children and spouses and act socially reclusive.
- Being unaware of surroundings- During hyperfixation, people may fail to notice people and events happening around them.
- Inability to disengage- When trying to change focus and engage in a different activity, people hyperfixating will have a difficult time tearing themselves away from the activity at hand.
What Mental Disorders Can Make People Have Hyperfixations?
People with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) are perhaps the most likely to experience hyperfixation. However, hyperfixation can occur with people who struggle with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression, anxiety, and autism.
Why Do ADHD People Hyperfixate?
ADHD is typically associated with an inability to concentrate on anything. ADHD is an acronym for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but the name is misleading. The reality is that people with ADHD have an abundance of attention and focus when they are involved in something they enjoy.
For example, if someone with ADHD is creative, they could become completely involved in painting a picture, putting together a performance, or decorating a cake, to the exclusion of all else. In other words, they could find themselves so absorbed in the delightful activity that they block out anyone or anything else around them.
Causes of Hyperfixation
Why do people become hyperfixated on something? What is hyperfixation a symptom of? It’s possible that hyperfixating is a result of the brain searching for reward and pleasure. By engaging intensely in one pursuit for an extended stretch of time, the brain enters an alternate state of being, which can feel more pleasurable than living in the present.
Hyperfixation is often used as an unhealthy coping mechanism by people experiencing unpleasant or difficult emotions, searching for escape. Facing and dealing with the feelings head-on is too traumatic or overwhelming, so they hyperfixate to avoid and numb those emotions.
People who struggle with OCD experience involuntary looping, incessant thoughts that drive them to behave in certain ways. This can sometimes manifest itself in hyperfixation, where the brain repeatedly wishes to engage in a certain task it perceives as pleasurable.
People who have above-average intelligence, or people with autism, often hyperfixate because they are looking for something to challenge their brains. They dislike repetitive, everyday tasks, so they hyperfixate to intensely engage in something more stimulating.
How Long Do Hyperfixations Last?
Every fixation lasts for a different amount of time. A fixation could last for several hours in one go, or could be a phase that lasts days, weeks, or months. For example, a person could have a fixation on a certain music genre for months, researching, listening to, and obsessing over the music all the while.
Risk Factors for Hyperfixation
Although anyone could experience hyperfixation, the following risk factors make it more likely for a person to experience hyperfixation consistently:
- Having experienced trauma or abuse
- Having a pre-existing mental health condition
- Experiencing tremendous stress or anxiety
- Lacking a supportive network of family and friends
- Having unhealthy relationships
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Having obsessive-compulsive tendencies or OCD
- Having family members who struggle with hyperfixation.
How to Manage Hyperfixation
If you find yourself hyperfixated on a specific activity, hobby, food, person, fictional character, or certain item, you don’t have to drop it completely. You can still enjoy your interests in a healthy way. Here are some ideas to help you avoid and manage hyperfixation:
- Be mindful of timing- If you have experience with hyperfixation in a certain area, for example a movie, don’t start watching the movie at a time when you have important duties, responsibilities, or appointments to attend to. Rather, find a stretch of time where you can afford to become engrossed in the activity for a bit.
- Limit yourself- Always set a time limit when you’re about to start an activity that you know you tend to hyperfixate on. You could set an alarm to ring so you notice the passage of time, or have someone check in on you to help you disengage after a set amount of time.
- Address the cause- It’s important to identify the root cause of the hyperfixation and deal with it. If your hyperfixation is an indication of neurodivergence or a mental health disorder like ADHD or autism, you could take medications and/or learn the tools of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). If the cause is boredom, lack of social life, or trauma, take measures to explore and address those difficult feelings in a safe environment.
- Try something new- If you find yourself gravitating to one activity, try to explore different possibilities. You may discover new hobbies or interests that are pleasurable to engage in, but do not cause intense periods of hyperfixation.
- Connect with others- Hyperfixation is often caused by loneliness and lack of social support, while the same is true for the reverse: hyperfixating can cause you to retreat from others. You can combat this cycle by making an effort to reach out to others and participate in meaningful, loving relationships.
If you are struggling with hyperfixations, a mental health disorder or addiction, reach out to Avenues Recovery today. Our expert staff will guide and support you to a happier and healthier future.