This article will discuss ADHD and hyperfocus and how to manage it.

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What Does ADHD Hyperfocus Feel Like?

How Does ADHD Hyperfocus Affect Children and Adults?

A person focused on work on a laptop

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Hyperfocus can look different in each person, but there are some similarities.

If a person is experiencing hyperfocus, they may tune out everything else around them.

Children may not respond to parents or other adults trying to get their attention or talking to them.

In some cases, they may not even stop to use the bathroom.

People with ADHD are more likely than people without ADHD to experience hyperfixation.

The object of hyperfixation can even be a person, particularly in the context of a romantic partnership.

What Causes the ADHD Brain to Hyperfocus?

Anyone can hyperfocus, whether they have ADHD or not.

In abrain with ADHD, there is less dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter.

Hyperfocus is not only seen in those with ADHD.

Benefits of ADHD Hyperfocus

Hyperfocus can be a good thing for many people.

Benefits include:

Hyperfocuscan be harnessed to be a positive thing, and not necessarily a negative.

Someone who is hyperfixated on an activity may ignore other tasks, like schoolwork or job obligations.

ADHD Hyperfocus in Children: Can It Be Trained?

There are some things you might do to help manage your hyperfocus and better manage your attention.

Knowing how to best manage your hyperfocus can reduce the potential for negative effects.

Its a tangible reminder that other things need your attention.

Is Hyperfocus Common in Other Conditions?

These terms are often used positively and as states to aspire to.

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

Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD hyperfocus: the secret weapon to unleashing productivity and creativity.

Ashinoff BK & Abu-Akel A.Hyperfocus: the forgotten frontier of attention.Psychol Res.

2021;12(8).