by Chloe Pieper–Hyper-fixation, or hyperfocus, is when a person shows an unusual or excessive interest in one idea or subject. This is a condition that causes someone to be completely submerged in their actions and they forget that they are doing something. An example of this is when you are doing homework for hours and forget to eat.
Some students use this as a coping mechanism when they are dealing with anxiety due to changes in their routines. A new job or midterm exams would be reasons why someone would start hyperfocusing.
Hyper-fixation can affect anyone no matter the age. However, it is more prevalent in people that have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). The common symptom of ADHD is distractibility. Along with that and hyperfocus, it results from low levels of dopamine. This dopamine deficiency makes it hard to “shift gears” to take up necessary and normal tasks.
Common types of hyper-fixations would be on food, TV shows, games, thoughts, and more. Food hyperfocus seems to be the most popular and common on campus. These hyperfixations can last from a few days to a few weeks.
Sara Clausen said, “My food focus this week is carrot sticks. I got them one time this week and it’s what I think is the most appetizing. I almost ate the whole bag in one sitting.”
The other popular hyper-fixation would be watching television shows. This is what society calls “binge-watching.” Someone can be so focused on a show that they do not realize that four episodes have passed by them.
Jayden Steffen said, “I am currently focused on Game of Thrones this week. Just yesterday, I watched four episodes and last week I watched two and a half seasons. I also spent a whole week reading the Bridgerton series books last semester.”
There is nothing wrong with having hyper-focus. It can actually be an asset. Others may use it as a reward for finishing schoolwork or old important tasks.
Thank you Chloe, great read