Hyperfixation: A Definitive Guide
Or rather: a practical guide from a gentle, respectful, and hopeful perspective
By Margo Fourman
Table of Contents
If you can turn hyperfixation into a positive flow experience, it puts you back in control. Wouldn’t that be nice.
Hyperfixation: What it is – and what it isn’t
Hyperfixation is the intense focus on one thing to the exclusion of everything else.
Hyperfixation can be a negative trait when the object of the hyperfocus is something seen to be a waste of time, such as playing video games for hours on end, or when it has a negative impact on other aspects of life, such as staying up all night to read a book and then not being able to get out of bed when you want to in the morning.
It can also have negative consequences when the hyperfixation leads to ignoring other important aspects of life, like forgetting to eat or neglecting family and loved ones.
The ability to be very focused can also be a very positive trait when it is focused on important things and managed well. Many successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians and athletes are intensely focused on their chosen fields. Their intense focus is an essential source of their success. More on that later.
In this article we will use the words “hyperfixation” and “hyperfocus” interchangeably.
Hyperfixation can be a negative trait when the object of the hyperfocus is something seen to be a waste of time, such as playing video games for hours on end, or when it has a negative impact on other aspects of life, such as staying up all night to read a book and then not being able to get out of bed when you want to in the morning.
It can also have negative consequences when the hyperfixation leads to ignoring other important aspects of life, like forgetting to eat or neglecting family and loved ones.
The ability to be very focused can also be a very positive trait when it is focused on important things and managed well. Many successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians and athletes are intensely focused on their chosen fields. Their intense focus is an essential source of their success. More on that later.
In this article we will use the words “hyperfixation” and “hyperfocus” interchangeably.
Definition of hyperfixation:
Hyperfixation is complete absorption in a task, to a point where a person appears to completely ignore or ‘tune out’ everything else. An example of hyperfixation is when a child becomes engrossed in a video game to a point where they do not hear a parent calling their name.
Hyperfixation is characterized by:
- An intense state of concentration and focus
- Awareness of things not related to the current focus not even consciously noticed
- Hyperfixation is usually dedicated to things that the person finds enjoyable or fascinating
- During a hyperfixation state, task performance improves
Hyperfixation and neurodiversity
Almost everyone has experienced moments of hyperfixation in their lives. Having said that, people with ADHD and/or ASC/ASD (Autism Spectrum) are likely to experience hyperfixation more intensely and more frequently than neurotypical people.
ADHD is usually thought of as having a high degree of distractibility and a short attention span. However, individuals with ADHD can, paradoxically, sustain intense attention in the form of hyperfocus.
ADHD is usually thought of as having a high degree of distractibility and a short attention span. However, individuals with ADHD can, paradoxically, sustain intense attention in the form of hyperfocus.
So, how do you know when you are, or someone else is, in a state of hyperfixation?
Here are some common characteristics of a state of hyperfixation:
- Lose track of time. The person is so focused on one thing that they completely lose track of time. When they emerge from their state of hyperfixation, they have no idea of whether they were ‘gone’ for an hour or 12 hours.
- Forget to eat. The person is so focused on one thing that they simply forget to eat. When they emerge from their state of hyperfixation, they may realize that they are starving.
- Not hear people talking to them. If you talk to someone in a hyperfocused state, they will often ignore you. It’s not that they’re being rude, it’s that they don’t even notice the interruption.
- Not notice what’s going on around them. The sun sets and it gets dark; people come and go; the smell of dinner wafting from the kitchen; you calling them to eat; you telling them it’s time to go to bed; you telling them you need to talk… They don’t notice any of these things because their singular focus tunes everything else out.
The problems of hyperfixation
Hyperfixation can have disastrous consequences for the person themselves and the people around them.
For the hyperfocused person, the downsides can include:
For the hyperfocused person, the downsides can include:
- Forgetting to eat
- Forgetting to sleep
- Neglecting family and loved ones
- Neglecting other responsibilities in their life
- Focusing exclusively on things that are ‘entertaining’ but not useful or productive (wasting time)
- Periods of hyperfixation can involve burnout and crashing, and therefore may require rest and recovery time
For parents of hyperfixated children, this can be especially challenging. We go into more depth on that topic in our article:
What hyperfixation isn’t
- It’s not the same as an obsession
If you (or someone you know) are spending long hours focused on one activity or subject, and it’s hard for you to shift your focus away, it’s reasonable to wonder whether this is hyperfixation or an obsession.
So here’s how you know: Obsessions, which are a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can become debilitating and cause much stress. Hyperfixations (more commonly associated with ADHD and autism) involve enjoyment, or joy, a sense of purpose. Therefore, they don’t typically need to be eliminated but rather managed.
So here’s how you know: Obsessions, which are a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can become debilitating and cause much stress. Hyperfixations (more commonly associated with ADHD and autism) involve enjoyment, or joy, a sense of purpose. Therefore, they don’t typically need to be eliminated but rather managed.
- It’s not the same as addiction
Hyperfixation is an intense focus that can come and go. Addiction, on the other hand, is a need that leads to distress when it is not satisfied. Addiction tends to lead to negative consequences and a lack of control over the behavior. This is not the case with hyperfixation.
- It isn’t flow, or “being in the zone”
Flow, or “being in the zone”, refers to being happily and fully immersed in an activity, feeling involved, motivated, concentrated, and experiencing heightened performance, intrinsic reward and energy. This often involves creativity and increased productivity, a sense of mastery.
“Flow” means you are in control. You are still aware of your surroundings. You remember your goals. Time may just seem to just fly by.
“Flow” means you are in control. You are still aware of your surroundings. You remember your goals. Time may just seem to just fly by.