When a person focuses or concentrates on a subject or thing for a long time and stops paying attention to everything else around, it is hyperfixation. Sometimes, this is a good thing, as a person can do things without making mistakes. Most accomplished people show hyperfocus in their fields, which is how they excel. Read this article to learn how to Get Rid of Distracting Thoughts.
However, when the unwavering dedication towards doing a particular thing starts to interfere with day-to-day tasks, it becomes a problem. Say, for instance, if a person begins to spend hours doing a specific thing, like playing video games or staying up late to read a book, and faces difficulty performing other tasks, then this trait is harmful. Also, if the individual forgets to eat and perform duties towards family and loved ones, then hyperfixation becomes a problem.
This article will discuss hyperfixation in detail, its signs, and how it can be dealt with.
What is Hyperfixation?
Hyperfixation is being absorbed by a task you lost track of time. The individual focuses only on that thing and is unintentionally ignorant of others. When a person is hyperfixated, things around them seem unimportant. In some cases, focusing on this level is good, but when it starts to disrupt life, then things get complicated.
Hyperfixation can be for a person, place, interest, hobby, food, etc. For some, focusing on one thing can last for months; for others, it can end in just a few days. The faster the interest develops, the more rapidly it goes down after a while.
Note—Hyperfocus and hyperfixation aren’t synonyms. They are both different, yet people use them interchangeably. The former means paying attention to a task until it is finished, and the latter means paying attention to a thing, person, hobby, interest, etc., for a while.
Read More – Overfocused ADHD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, And More
Symptoms of Hyperfixation
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing hyperfixation, look for the following signs:
- There is no sense of time, and the person doesn’t realize how much time has passed while performing an activity.
- Other things around seem unimportant.
- Basic things like sleeping, eating, drinking, etc are forgotten.
- Inability to control oneself and actions while performing the task of interest.
- Stop paying attention to yourself, the people around you, and society.
Characteristics of a Person with Hyperfixation
Certainly, the signs of hyperfixation can help know if a person is in a state of hyperfixation. However, we discuss some of its common characteristics here for a better understanding.
1. Lose track of time—
A person in a hyperfixation state often loses focus of time and has no idea where it went. Even being unavailable for 12 hours seems to have been out only for an hour. Time is never of the essence for such people as they are so engrossed in the task that everything else seems non-existent.
2. Basic necessities don’t matter—
For the hyper-fixated person, eating, drinking, and sleeping don’t matter. They can keep performing the task they like for hours without thinking about food, water, or sleep. However, once they are out of the state, they realize they are tired and hungry, and their body needs rest.
3. Can’t hear or notice anything around them –
A person too invested in work cannot hear or even notice people around them. They do not do this intentionally. Their focus is too fixated on the job at hand that they lose track of time and the people around them. For them, finishing the task is all that matters.
Time, hunger, thirst, and other daily chores do not matter to them. They don’t pay attention to the time, whether it is morning, night, or a complete day has passed. They can’t even use their sensory organs to notice things. In short, they don’t see or notice anything.
Is Hyperfixation Life Threatening?
For some, hyperfixation is fine as they use it to cope with things. For them, it is a way to feel happy and enjoy life. Hyperfixation distracts from the things that bother a person and stresses them out. However, when this behavior becomes a way to avoid things. Instead of finding a solution to a problem, the person starts to hyper-fixate on a thing. Things get tricky.
This is because life cannot function by avoiding and running away from problems. One must find a solution to work through things and have a happy life. By hyper-fixing on a thing, they only delay things, negatively affecting their life and daily functioning. Therefore, one needs to pay attention to things that matter.
Nothing will be left if a person stops eating, maintaining hygiene, and paying attention to family and friends. The interest they seek solace in is temporary. Once that fades, they will find themselves alone, struggling with things because everyone would have left them as if they were hyperfixation instead of addressing the issues.
Moreover, if a person hyper-fixates on things that bother him, like a painful memory or losing a loved one, this negatively affects life and hampers all other aspects.
Mental health Conditions related to Hyperfixation?
Often, hyperfixation is associated with ADHD. However, other mental health conditions can also lead to hyperfixation:
Way to Manage Hyperfixation
To deal with the issue of hyperfixation, one doesn’t need to stop pursuing their interest. Instead, they need to balance the activities they like and the responsibilities they must fulfill. Here are some tips that can help deal with hyperfixation:
1. Perform time-bound task –
When you know that you get too consumed by the task and cannot keep track of time before starting the task, set a start and end time. Keep a timer so you know the hours spent performing the task. This way, you can keep a tab of the time, and you will be able to leave the task to take a break and fulfill other duties.
You can also set a schedule to perform the activity you like to avoid missing out on it. Moreover, you can set up time-sensitive things like reservations at a hotel, movies in a theater, etc., so that you stand up and go for them. This will help set a time limit, and you can enjoy both things.
2. Start at a specific time –
If you know once you start doing a task, you cannot stop, then try to control the start time. Do not start an activity before bedtime or any special event or assignment you must submit. Use your interest as a reward system.
This means performing the activities you like when you finish a particular task, setting time aside for it, and doing it when you have performed all your duties and all the day’s tasks. This will help you enjoy them better, and if you use them as a reinforcement and reward, you can finish other tasks in less time and more efficiently.
3. Start something new –
Sometimes, you hyper-fixate on doing a thing because you know how and enjoy doing it. However, if you want to work on the hyperfixation state, try to plan to perform some new activities. Select a hobby you have attempted, get all the necessary material, and do it the next time you want to do it or you think you want to reward yourself and focus on it.
4. Stay connected to others –
When you find yourself struggling with hyperfixation, look for support. List the names of family and friends you will listen to. Let them know you need support. Ask them to keep a check on you so that you are not completely absorbed by your interests. Give them permission to interfere with your work or let them know the signs that you will notice while working so that they can help break free from fixation.
5. Address the issue and meditate –
Possibly, you hyper-fixate as you struggle with anxiety and feel sad when you are self-aware. Or you do it as you don’t want to be a part of social interactions or feel happy when you connect with a particular character. Whatever the reason, you must understand why you hyper-fixate on things and disconnect yourself.
If doing it alone seems complicated, you can start practicing meditation. This will help calm your mind and give you answers to your questions. Take some time to figure out the reason and work on it.
A Word from Calm Sage
Hyperfixation can be a problem if people use it to disconnect themselves from the world around them. However, it is good if it is used to excel in something. When you get into the traps of hyperfixation, seek help and support.
You can even talk to a therapist about your feelings and why you follow such a practice. It will help you understand things, and you can work on things while focusing on things you like and being available.
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