How can you tell the difference between Hyperfixation and special interest?

How can you tell the difference between Hyperfixation and special interest?

Ok, I can’t guarantee this will be correct but to my knowledge this is the answer: hyperfixation is an ability to concentrate on one thing for immense amounts of time or the act of doing so and a special interest is the object of that concentration.

What is a special interest ADHD?

What is ADHD Hyperfocus? Hyperfocus refers to an intense fixation on an interest or activity for an extended period of time. People who experience hyperfocus often become so engrossed they block out the world around them.

Can you Hyperfixate on a special interest?

a hyperfixation is an interest one may have. some people may go through multiple and some may only ever have one. this is a behavior often displayed by folks with ADHD or Autism.

Is Hyperfixation only for ADHD?

Hyperfixation is not unique to individuals with ADHD. But almost every child and adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) knows what it feels like to become so engrossed in something — a book, a home project, a video game — that they block out the world around them for hours at a time.

How do you identify Hyperfixation?

How to identify hyperfixation

1. Lose track of time. The person is so focused on one thing that they completely lose track of time.
2. Forget to eat. The person is so focused on one thing that they simply forget to eat.
3. Not hear people talking to them.
4. Not notice what’s going on around them.

What does Hyperfixation look like?

An example of hyperfixation is when a child becomes engrossed in a video game to a point where they do not hear a parent calling their name. Hyperfixation is characterized by: An intense state of concentration and focus. Awareness of things not related to the current focus not even consciously noticed.

What is a Hyperfixation autism?

What is hyperfixation? Autistic brains are often really good at focusing deeply on one thing at a time; they may struggle to split attention between topics. ‘Hyperfixation’ is being completely immersed in something to the exclusion of everything else. It’s more common in autistic people and can be a great asset.

What classifies as a special interest?

A special interest can be an intense interest in a broad subject (architecture) or a narrowly focused interest (mid-12th century Cistercian monasteries). Generally, narrowly focused interests are also intense, but a special interest doesn’t have to be stereotypically narrow to qualify.

What is Hyperfixation autism?

What does Hyperfixation look like in ADHD?

What is the difference between ADHD and autism?

The signs of autism, also called autism spectrum disorder or ASD, can range in severity. While ADHD (also known as ADD) isn’t a spectrum disorder, like autism it can produce a range of symptoms. And each symptom can cause a range of difficulty from one child to the next. So what’s the difference between ADHD and autism?

Is hyperfixation self-medicating your ADHD?

Hyperfixation is different. It’s not just in that moment, but obsessed with something. If it’s something healthy or at least harmless, great. But at some point, this may become a way of self-medicating ADHD. We become addicted to running, a high-risk sport, hunting for bargains, or hunting for sex.

What is hyperfixation and how does it work?

Hyperfixation is a locking-into as specific activity, even one that is mindless activity with no relation to special interests. Feeling a need to complete a task regardless of the difficulties that arise or the time it is taking from everything that reason suggests is more important.

What are some examples of hyperfixation subjects?

The physics, the chemistry, the biology, the sociology, the history, the politics, policy and the practical skills associated with that interest. Hyperfixation is a locking-into as specific activity, even one that is mindless activity with no relation to special interests.