#ADHD AND HYPERFOCUS TV#

Sometimes, what a person's mind chooses to fixate on doesn't align with what they need to do. The thing that your child fixates on could be something they're deeply passionate about, and it might be a source of accomplishment, enjoyment, or self-confidence in their life.Īs much as hyperfocus can be a gift, there are also downsides.

Feel accomplished, confident, or happy.

They may learn a lot about that topic or hobby quickly, and they may achieve in that area. Say that your child is focused on a particular topic or hobby.

Get a lot done, also very quickly and seemingly effortlessly.

Learn a lot about a specific topic, perhaps very quickly and innately.

What are the benefits of ADHD hyperfocus? When someone experiences hyperfocus, they may: However, there are also benefits, and learning to harness these benefits can be powerful for a person with ADHD. This can be even more prevalent when hyperfocus occurs. Many people with ADHD struggle with time management as they find that they lose track of time easily.

Challenges related to time management.

Similar to having trouble focusing on other tasks in general, a child may find it hard to transition from engaging with their fixation to another activity. For example, if your child is hyper-focused on a game and it's taken away or turned off (even temporarily), they might have a tantrum. Specifically, a child may experience a tantrum or outburst when they can't engage or continue to engage with what they're fixated on at that moment. If your child is fixated on a particular task, activity, or hobby, they may find it tough to shift their focus to something else. Hyperfocus can occur in people of all ages with ADHD, including children, and if a child meets the criteria for ADHD, it could be an added sign, though it's not a part of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Instead, it's that a person with ADHD might experience it more often, and it may be more challenging to control or break out of for someone with ADHD.

It's not to say that people without ADHD can't experience hyperfocus or a state similar to hyperfocus. This makes sense, as the brain of those with ADHD is known to chase dopamine. The activity someone with ADHD fixates on may trigger the release of dopamine for them, leading them to become engrossed. As for what causes the brain to hyperfocus in those with ADHD, it's largely attributed to dopamine. Hyperfocus, like inattention, often feels uncontrollable to someone with ADHD. Instead, it's that the brains of those with ADHD don't have regulated attention.Īt least, not naturally. It's not that ADHD doesn't allow someone to focus at all. The truth is that ADHD and the way it affects concentration is often deeply misunderstood. Upon hearing about ADHD hyperfocus, you might wonder - how does this happen? What causes the brain to hyperfocus in someone with ADHD, especially those who may have extreme difficulty with focusing on tasks like schoolwork, or even things that they enjoy? Someone might lose track of time - common for those with ADHD - when they experience hyperfocus, and they may seem to lose sight of what's going on around them. It appears as though they are 'locked-in' to what they're doing, and they are.

#ADHD AND HYPERFOCUS TV#

When someone with ADHD experiences hyperfocus, they fixate on a specific task, activity, or source of stimuli (such as a game or TV show) and find it very challenging to shift away from that task, activity, or source of stimuli. It has been described by professionals as a state that resembles a 'hypnotic spell.' Hyperfocus refers to a state of intense and immersed attention that a person with ADHD may experience. What is ADHD hyperfocus exactly, and why does it happen? Is hyperfocus a symptom of ADHD in children? Are there benefits, and how can you cope with the drawbacks? What is ADHD Hyperfocus? However, there is another side to that coin, which is ADHD hyperfocus. When we think of ADHD, what often comes to mind first is trouble focusing or concentrating.

Adhd and hyperfocus