ADHD

The thought process of people with ADHD can look like a messy mind map. More than struggles with focus, the map could indicate a very curious mind, one researcher suggests. - Drafter123/Getty Images

The boss sent me some notes about ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Sounds just like me.

What Hyperfocus Really Is

Hyperfocus isn't great concentration.

It's attention that gets stuck.

Time disappears.

The world fades.

Stopping feels almost painful.

Hyperfocus in ADHD (Why We Can Focus for 8 Hours... or Not at All)

If you can focus too much - and not at all this is ADHD.

You Can't Choose Hyperfocus

This part matters.

You cannot decide to hyperfocus on:

• emails
• cleaning
• boring work
• admin

But you can accidentally hyperfocus on:

• research
• ideas
• creative work
• games
• conversations

It's not discipline. It's chemistry

Why Hyperfocus Happens

ADHD brains run low on dopamine.

When something is:

• interesting
• novel
• emotional
• urgent
• meaningful

dopamine spikes - and the brain grabs on hard.

ADHD Isn't a Lack of Focus

ADHD isn't "can't focus.

It's can't regulate focus.

Attention is either:

scattered

or

locked in place

Very little in between.

Hyperfocus Isn't a Superpower

It can be useful. It can also be destructive.

Hyperfocus is a coping mechanism -your brain clinging to stimulation to feel regulated.

Why People Get Confused

Others see hyperfocus and say: "If you can do this... why not everything?"

Because ADHD focus is interest-based, not effort-based.