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Hyperfocusing...

vanillabuzz

vanillabuzz

Well-Known Member
So I've been having this really big problem. All my life I've dealt with hyperfocusing on different subjects, but for the past month I have been extremely hyperfocused on a specific one. It's been hard because I am completely unable to think of anything else. Tonight it is particularly difficult because it's late at night and I can't bring myself to go to bed because I just want to read and do activities related to the subject. How do you guys deal with hyperfocus? While at the start it was fun, because that's all I could think of, now it's really starting to bother me because I can't function if I am not focused on it. Any tips/advice?

Thank you!
 
For me, if I'm I'm hyper focused on something and can't sleep I pop a valium. After an hour or so, I fall asleep.
 
I have this problem too and would love a solution to it - not being able to get to sleep can be a big problem when I have to get up early the next day for work.
 
I have the same issue with a good book, l won't put it down, sometimes l hyper-focus to keep my brain from ruimnating about other things that aren't productive.
 
I postpone it, doesn't always work, but I just end it and say i need to sleep now and I can deal with it in the free time when i dont have to sleep.
 
Having a strong bedtime ritual can be a way to use classical conditioning to help you fall asleep. We turn off the TV at a set time, feed cats, brush teeth etc., and then lights dimmed. That's not to say I never have insomnia.
 
I am not always successful, but here is how it plays out for me.

When I am interested in a topic, I ask [a resource] one or more questions. As they are answered, they lead me to even more questions. It is really easy to move from question to question while I am in the throes of inquiry. (If I take a break [sleeping, chores, etc.] cold-turkey, it is really easy to lose my place and my momentum.)

So if I must pause for practical reasons, I "tie off" my investigation by writing down the next batch of questions that need to be answered. (That is easier said than done, though.
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I spent 50+ years working with my special interest, so being hyper-focused on something is my normal. My special interest is machinery and I love what I do. However, if I am having a problem with a project, it can keep me awake thinking about it. My doctor prescribed me a medication for sleep when this happens. I sleep, but apparently I must still think about it. It is not unusual for me to wake in the middle of the night with a solution.
 
This is one of the problems I have, which led to me being diagnosed ASD. I start Cognitive Behavioral Therapy today to hopefully learn to turn my brain off.

On the other hand, by hyperfocusing I was able to reverse type 2 Diabetes and polyneuropathy which were caused by gene mutations. I also comleted a Ph.D. while working full-time by hyperfocusing. So, you can accomplish great things by hyperfocusing, if it doesn't drive you insane.
 
When I get in that hyper-focus mode I just go with it, knowing it's going to be temporary. But I also don't have any schedules or anything that it will interfere with.
 
I've learned to somewhat control entering/exiting hyperfocus. I can sometimes enter it at will if I set myself and my surroundings up correctly. I exit when I get disturbed too much or if I run out of energy, which unfortunately happens a lot these days. So, maybe try to exhaust yourself physically, then throw yourself into your fixation, and let your body take you down when it's ready?

Side note: I don't have ADD, or else my low success rate at controlling hyperfocus would probably be more like 0.
 
SolarPoweredNightOwl said:
I've learned to somewhat control entering/exiting hyperfocus. I can sometimes enter it at will if I set myself and my surroundings up correctly. I exit when I get disturbed too much or if I run out of energy, which unfortunately happens a lot these days. So, maybe try to exhaust yourself physically, then throw yourself into your fixation, and let your body take you down when it's ready?

Side note: I don't have ADD, or else my low success rate at controlling hyperfocus would probably be more like 0.
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That actually makes some sense as a strategy. The physical exertion also is beneficial to your health.
 
Just to add - this is one of the hardest things about being a parent. You go into that hyperfocus mode (not deliberately) and always, always, ALWAYS would get interrupted and you know how irritating that can be. Even being deep in thought you want to yell "wait. wait!! let me finish this." But, nope.
 
Never heard the term hyperfocusing before. Makes us sound like superheroes.

Thankfully we're not, because I'm not wearing spandex. I did it once when I owned a road bicycle (yes one of them). Problem was, people see you on a fancy bike and dressed like an athlete and I swear they see overtaking you with their bicycle as a challenge.

It all came to a head after a 20 mile bike ride. At the time I lived on a hill, so each trip ended with a grueling 1 mile uphill climb. I was struggling, and wheezing and then a lady whizzes past me on her bicycle, waves and giddily says "good morning". Nope, it wasn't.

More struggle, strife and sweating and then a man shoots past me on one of those lay down bicycle contraptions. He had a flagpole and everything.

Got home, thoroughly fed up and put the bike on eBay. Haven't cycled since.

Ed
 
Hyperfocusing is your superpower. Embrace it as such!

I am able to identify edible and medicinal plants throughout the west because of it. It is like everything in my life exists in relation to what I'm hyperfocusing on.

Learn to use it to your advantage <3
 
vanillabuzz said:
So I've been having this really big problem. All my life I've dealt with hyperfocusing on different subjects, but for the past month I have been extremely hyperfocused on a specific one. It's been hard because I am completely unable to think of anything else. Tonight it is particularly difficult because it's late at night and I can't bring myself to go to bed because I just want to read and do activities related to the subject. How do you guys deal with hyperfocus? While at the start it was fun, because that's all I could think of, now it's really starting to bother me because I can't function if I am not focused on it. Any tips/advice?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

I don’t think I have anything to offer about how to avoid it. I became hyperfocused sometime in my single digit years and it has not reduced any throughout the rest of my life – actually, it is my life. I feel lucky however that my hyperfocus happened to be about electronic circuits. I did horrible in school and could not manage college. I don’t seem to be able to be taught by another person, so I never got any degree. However, I am able to learn on my own. I guess that’s my Aspie social issue? But, my hyperfocusing pushed me into the career I always dreamed of (but thought was impossible), all the way to retiring as a highly regarded senior electronics design engineer - all without any degree. My position was honorary because all the esteemed, degreed engineers would come to me with questions when they got stumped on a design.

While my hyperfocusing has never been arrested or even diminished, it is routinely interrupted, by various life necessities. My drive is to get the “life necessities” done so I can get back to my circuits. But, since I love electronic circuits so much, I never thought about any issues with hyperfocusing – though I’m sure there were more than plenty. I was just too happy smothering myself in electronics design to care.

I don’t really know how to advise you. I guess I would just say, don’t worry about your obsession. Just use its drive to get all the “responsibility” interruptions done so you can get back to what you love.

It’s good to have a happy life. If your hyperfocusing makes you happy, then… I’d say, be happy!
 
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