Startled... Deep focus...

[Sherlock77]

I just spent all day at a very large classic car show, 370 photos later

I also have a process of cataloging all my car photos, and I prefer to do it almost immediately after the show, when my memory is still fresh

And when I take that many photos in one day it takes time

So... A friend of mine calls me tonight, and I was/I am super busy with essentially data entry based on the photos... And I was so deep in focus it literally startled me, then I did pick up the phone and responded with frustration, something that happens frequently enough with me, admittedly I could have just not answered as I know who it was who called...

I need to learn how to deal with this situation better, or situations like this that happen frequently enough... Maybe I need to learn to not always answer the phone... I pretty much immediately apologize to my friend when I do this...

 

[Jumpinbare]

I don't idle well. If I am conscious and not driving I am doing something, and with my interests there never seems enough time to get to everything even though I'm retired now. Even in the restroom, I am reading something on my phone, or working a crossword.

So basically every time the phone rings, it startles and usually angers me. I want to get back to what I was doing, and it's difficult to fully engage in the call, especially if someone just called to pass the time or tell me something currently irrelevant to me.

I have considered not answering, as you mention, but then calls/messages pile up and I find myself having to wade through several of them at once.

If you find a good way of managing interruptions, please let us all know.

 

[FilterFreq]

Sometimes when I get snapped out of hyperfocus I have to genuinely reorient myself. Maybe that's essentially what's going on? I've definitely had to apologize for my reactions in the same way.

Phones can be extremely annoying all by themselves, though. I've been known to keep mine on silent pretty much 24/7, even in times where it would be better for it to at least ring and ignore other alerts. Otherwise, it might drive me insane

 

[Sherlock77]

Sometimes when I get snapped out of hyperfocus I have to genuinely reorient myself. Maybe that's essentially what's going on? I've definitely had to apologize for my reactions in the same way.

Phones can be extremely annoying all by themselves, though. I've been known to keep mine on silent pretty much 24/7, even in times where it would be better for it to at least ring and ignore other alerts. Otherwise, it might drive me insane

That sounds about right...

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I don't idle well. If I am conscious and not driving I am doing something, and with my interests there never seems enough time to get to everything even though I'm retired now. Even in the restroom, I am reading something on my phone, or working a crossword.

So basically every time the phone rings, it startles and usually angers me. I want to get back to what I was doing, and it's difficult to fully engage in the call, especially if someone just called to pass the time or tell me something currently irrelevant to me.

I have considered not answering, as you mention, but then calls/messages pile up and I find myself having to wade through several of them at once.

If you find a good way of managing interruptions, please let us all know.

Brother from another mother. I'm the same way. I know at my job, it's sort of a requirement that I can switch quickly from one thing to another, but in reality, it does "upset my apple cart" every time it happens. I try to keep a professional, Stoic persona, but on the inside, I am like "Arrrrggg!!"

 

[Judge]

To quote Looney Tunes' "Yosemite Sam", when I'm hyper-focused, the best thing the rest of the world can do is to back off.

 

[Peter Morrison]

Our hyper-focus is like our safe space. I totally lose my concentration if interrupted by someone trying to talk to me, asking questions, or giving me information that may be worthwhile. I've never managed to tune out voices or noises around me when I need to give my undivided attention to something. Once interrupted, I have to go back and start from the beginning. I will silence my phone when I anticipate the need for peace and quiet. I didn't know the ASD played a role in concentration, but I know it is very real. Hyper-focus is a joy. It's what I remember from building models as a kid, alone in my room, enjoying the work. It was a break from the chaotic world.

 

[Judge]

Our hyper-focus is like our safe space. I totally lose my concentration if interrupted by someone trying to talk to me, asking questions, or giving me information that may be worthwhile. I've never managed to tune out voices or noises around me when I need to give my undivided attention to something. Once interrupted, I have to go back and start from the beginning. I will silence my phone when I anticipate the need for peace and quiet. I didn't know the ASD played a role in concentration, but I know it is very real. Hyper-focus is a joy. It's what I remember from building models as a kid, alone in my room, enjoying the work. It was a break from the chaotic world.

Good point as usual, Peter. That our "safe space" to me is akin to a feeling of solitude. One that is essential to my being on a regular basis, even if for just a bit of time. -It matters.

Something frankly for which I'm not ready to be contrite over.

 

[Sherlock77]

Our hyper-focus is like our safe space. I totally lose my concentration if interrupted by someone trying to talk to me, asking questions, or giving me information that may be worthwhile. I've never managed to tune out voices or noises around me when I need to give my undivided attention to something. Once interrupted, I have to go back and start from the beginning. I will silence my phone when I anticipate the need for peace and quiet. I didn't know the ASD played a role in concentration, but I know it is very real. Hyper-focus is a joy. It's what I remember from building models as a kid, alone in my room, enjoying the work. It was a break from the chaotic world.

Maybe I need to turn off my phone sometimes, it's just that I rarely get phone calls anyway...

 

[Judge]

Maybe I need to turn off my phone sometimes, it's just that I rarely get phone calls anyway...

I often think of broken concentration the way a business owner equates lost productivity to lost income. For many of us I suspect it's not a minor inconvenience.