Hyperfocus Is Underrated

ADHD - only weaknesses?

Among the many things difficult for those with ADHD, such as time management, social cues, impulsive behaviors, etc, we often don’t think of the strengths. People with ADHD are not “weaker” or “less than” neurotypical individuals, their brains function differently, which can cause problems when in a predominantly neurotypical society, but doesn’t denote objective value.

Something I have been reflecting on recently is my (and many other ADHDers') ability to hyperfocus. Given the right activity, I can spend hours on the same exact task. I mean literally hours. Not a question in my mind or any other thoughts of doing something else. If I didn’t have any other responsibilities, I could spend days doing the same activity. It’s like I time travel. I look at the clock at 7 pm, keep doing my thing, and I look again and somehow it’s 12 am.

What’s it like?

Getting hyperfocused and becoming immersed in an activity is truly pure bliss. It is the most satisfying thing to me. Nothing can come close to the level of dopamine firing in my brain in this state. It feels like I can finally "relax", even though the activity is likely something engaging. It's an absolute delight. My brain, which is always moving at lightspeed, is finally able to stop. The world fades away and I'm able to forget about literally everything else. I'm completely captivated by the magic and joy of my interest.

Hyperfocus has led me to learn a large variety of hobbies. More than just entry level knowledge, I could tell you a lot about yo-yos, Rubik’s cubes, skateboarding, weightlifting, keyboards, guitar pedals, musical instruments (in general), (Riichi) Mahjong, certain video games, ITX PCs, dumbphones, and a range of other things I can’t think of at the moment. For each of these things, it was something that absolutely captured my heart at a point in my life.

Some things are longer term interests. Like music writing/playing - I love it so dearly, but it’s not always at the forefront of my heart's desires. There are periods where I can get sucked in, be it a new instrument, a new song, or doing music with people!!! (please ask me to jam)

Also, I chose a career that I love, which results in me hyperfocusing on my work. Sometimes, if I start work too early, it’s difficult to stop and eat breakfast because I’m unable to break away from getting stuff done. It’s too addicting honestly. I just get so sucked in. This is a pro and a con (especially when Kiden wants me to be done with work).

In recent times

Fortunately for me, the recent activities I have hyperfocused on are working on this website and learning Japanese. Two wonderfully productive hobbies.

Each time I sit down to work on my website, I just get so enchanted. I get excited about each feature I have planned, and I continue iterating and iterating to make it incredible. I want you, reader, to like this website!

Working on Japanese is also surprisingly extremely addicting. All I want to do is keep learning vocab, reading the textbook, keep learning kanji. It’s literally all the stuff you’d consider “boring”, but I’m just absolutely mesmerized by all of the newness/novelty. Fortunately, since it’s a new language, all of it is new! So I’ll be immersed and invested in it until I can speak it, and at that point I will have no need to be hyperfocused on it.

The cost

Due to the fact that hyperfocusing is extremely rewarding, fulfilling, comforting, delightful, and lovely, detaching from the respective activity is an agonizing, soul-crushing, insufferable, paralyzing, and tormenting process. It feels as if I’m being taken away from my one and only child or something. As if all the joy I had in the world is stolen from me. As if I’m being forced into captivity.

I use some rather dramatic language here, but to be honest, it feels downright horrible to be pulled away from something that I’m actively invested in. I can’t convey the feeling in any other way.

Since I am a regular adult with real life responsibilities, I am often taken out of this euphoric state. Even if it's for great and wonderful things (that I enjoy doing) like spending time with Kiden, or eating a meal, it can give the appearance that I don't love these things which is certainly the opposite of how I feel! So, reader, if you have an ADHD person in your life, know that how their brain chemistry reacts to life is not a 1:1 representation of how they feel.

Why do people with ADHD hyperfocus?

If you know nothing about ADHD, or even just a little bit, let me share with you this excerpt (from AI) about what is going on.

"People with ADHD have brains that function differently in key areas responsible for attention, focus, and self-control. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), the brain's "CEO" for planning and managing tasks, often shows less activity during attention-demanding activities. This makes it harder to stay on track and control impulses.

The brain's reward system, involving structures like the basal ganglia (specifically the striatum), also operates differently. These areas use dopamine to signal pleasure and motivation. In ADHD, the way dopamine is processed and used in these regions is often altered. This can lead to a reduced sense of reward from typical, less stimulating tasks, making it harder to engage with them. Conversely, highly interesting things can trigger a stronger dopamine response, leading to hyperfocus. In this state, the brain essentially prioritizes and becomes "locked in" on the rewarding stimulus, effectively downplaying other competing signals and demands. This intense engagement reflects the brain's attempt to maintain a sufficient level of stimulation and reward, making it difficult to consciously shift attention away, even when it's necessary.

End of the day

Basically, if you have ADHD, there are likely strengths (if not hyperfocusing) that you have, and neurotypical people may not have. For me, one strength has been hyperfocus. But you may be extremely creative, or highly adaptable, or deeply empathetic.

If you don't have ADHD, I hope you thought this was interesting. If you have someone in your life that has ADHD, hopefully you feel compelled to understand them even more.

Thanks for reading,
God bless.