Hyperfocus | ADHD Information
I'm generally aware of my hyperfocus about an hour after it sets in, but I love the feeling so much I barely ever find the motivation to break out of it -- unless I really, really, REALLY have to. Like a grumbling teenager rolling over and going back to sleep, I just merilly go "Weee, hyperfocus!" and zone out again with whatever I'm doing :)Hi folks,
On those occasions when 'hyperfocus' kicks in, how do you feel?
Me, I'm not aware of it - at least until I return to normal. Then I get a kind of 'where am I?' moment - a bit like waking up - to find I've no idea what time it is, and I need a moment to take in my surroundings. Anyone else?
It's a damned useful state to get in, but I sure wish I could turn it on at will. I'm sure I'd be capable of some amazing stuff.
Oh well. I guess life just ain't like that...
Mark -
I love to draw, and a few years ago, I realized the whole hyperfocus zone thing. I had on some music, and I had my huge sketch pad, and I was drawing away. And then when I came out of my zone, I was figuring, OH, i've been drawing for about 30 minutes....
I went to go check out the time, and I had been drawing for 3 hours straight!!!!! that's when I realized that when I am in hyperfocus, i need to be careful because I loose ALL TRACK OF TIME!!
It's like waking up from a dream - I can play a good computer game for HOURS and think it's only been 45 minutes. Then I have a "HOLY SH-T" moment where I realize I should have started dinner or been somewhere.
I have gotten into hyperfocus modes at work sometimes. It feels more, I dunno, vulnerable than the "home" hyperfocus. At work, it is stressful - I feel like 150% of my energy is focused on this one thing, to the absolute exclusion of ALL else. But it is very fragile - if my own phone rings or someone directly talks to me about another issue, it is shatterred. Once I am finished the task, I feel a great sense of relief, like some huge weight has been lifted from my chest. It's almost like it was a physical exertion.