As an ADHDer, you've probably spent most of your life hearing your parents and teachers complain about how you can’t focus on what you’re doing. To be honest, you've likely experienced that yourself a few times.
So how come sometimes you have this strange experience of being completely absorbed in what you're doing? As if the whole world could fall apart around you but your focus would remain untouched?
How is it possible to have ADHD and still experience such intense levels of focus at times?
If you've ever wondered about this, then you're in the right place. What you're describing is usually labeled as “hyperfocus”.
We have heard all our lives that people with ADHD are incapable of focusing, which is why the experience of hyperfocus can sound contradictory. But the truth is that ADHD brains are not incapable of focusing; they simply struggle with focus regulation (what you focus on, for how long and when to shift it).
Hyperfocus refers to those moments when you get completely absorbed in something you find interesting or fun during a relatively long period of time [1]. During these periods, it feels as if the world around fades away. You lose track of time and might not be aware of what's happening around you. At the same time, you often perform really well on the task at hand, and it can feel like you're "in the zone" and doing everything perfectly [2].
In summary: it can be a very pleasant experience.
Hyperfocus is a double-edged sword.
On the bright side, it can sometimes lead to highly productive work if the task you are working on is aligned with your work or academic goals. [1].
However, when the task you’re hyperfocusing on is not relevant to your work or academic pursuits (which can be the case with hobbies, creative activities, or video games), hyperfocus can instead lead to missed deadlines, social isolation, and the neglect of self-care and other responsibilities [1] [3].
Now that we recognize hyperfocus as one more ADHD related trait, we can take some time to reflect on the impact it has on our lives by answering some questions:
If your answers suggest that hyperfocus is negatively affecting your life, then you better stick around for the next section…
Although hyperfocus is kind of a new thing in ADHD research, it’s a very common experience for many ADHDers. The key is learning to recognize when it happens, which activities trigger it and becoming aware of how it affects your daily life.
Hyperfocus is almost like an ADHD superpower: when used intentionally, it can shift from a potential obstacle into a powerful tool to find joy, productivity and personal fulfillment.
Whether you're here to focus better, calm your mind, or just feel a little more in control, we’re here to support you. One game at a time.
