High levels of concentration are one of the most controversial research topics that have been detected in the field of medicine and psychology. In general, excessive focus can impact the development of activities of daily living. Although this could sometimes be considered an advantage given that a large amount of energy is deposited in a given person, it is possible that it implies the presence of some personality characteristics associated with some clinical conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism or high abilities.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain What is hyperfocus or hyperconcentration and how to detect it.
Hyperfocus or hyperfixation consists of a high level of concentration towards a specific task or stimulus. When faced with an element that requires attention, it is common for people to tend to ignore the environment in which they find themselves. For this reason, those who have hyperfocus or hyperfixation usually allocate great mental effort towards carrying out instructions and/or activities, thus avoiding any distracting element that could interfere with performance.
Although it is a quality that could be beneficial, people who have high levels of concentration are usually diagnosed with it due to the difficulties it causes in the area of social, work and family relationships in everyday life.
Due to the interest that arises in this topic, it is pertinent to expose some characteristics that underlie this condition. Below we mention the main signs to know if I have hyperfocus or hyperfixation:
- Continuous and inflexible interest in the same topic.
- Loss of notion of time and space.
- Difficulty in varying the focus of attention.
- Resistance to random changes in the environment.
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- Disinterest in other activities and/or situations of the work, family and social environment.
It should be noted that the isolated presence of any of these characteristics does not necessarily imply having hyperfocus or hyperfixation. Therefore, if in doubt, a clinical evaluation by a mental health professional is essential to confirm or rule it out.
This clinical condition is linked to some mental health problems. Broadly speaking, many diagnoses used within psychology and medicine share the same symptom. In this section, we will talk about which disorders have hyperfocus:
Autism
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects brain development and the way a person relates, communicates and behaves. It is also called “autism spectrum disorder” because it encompasses a wide range of manifestations and degrees. This situation can produce a excessive contact with some stimulus or object make it interesting. For this reason, obstacles often appear in establishing social relationships that last over time.
In autism spectrum disorder, hyperfocus manifests itself in situations that involve concentration on specific elements of daily life. The presence of these objects is essential for autistic people to interact. In the following article you will find information about.
For example, someone on the autism spectrum might experience hyperfocus when completely immersed in a topic or activity that fascinates them. During this state of immersion, they can acquire deep and detailed knowledge in the area of interest, often displaying exceptional concentration and outstanding skill in that sphere.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to maintain attention, control impulses, and moderate motor activity. This disorder is commonly diagnosed in childhood, but can persist into adolescence and adulthood.
Often, people with mental disorders tend to focus their attention on certain stimuli that produce distractions. Likewise, hyperactivity is a mechanism that conceives certain elements that cannot be left aside. This can be noticed in those people who are constantly moving in a work or school environment.
For example, a person with ADHD might experience hyperfocus when becoming deeply immersed in a project or activity they are passionate about. During this state of intense concentration, they can demonstrate exceptional productivity and outstanding performance in the area of interest. However, you could lose track of time and affect other activities of daily living.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
The appearance of specific obsessions, routines and rituals may be related to the persistence of precise attentional focuses, although the relationship between OCD and hyperfocus is complex and can vary from one person to another. For one thing, some people with OCD may experience moments of hyperfocus when they focus on their obsessions or compulsionswhich can cause them to engage in these behaviors very intensely and increase the distress associated with OCD.
Likewise, other people with OCD may experience a type of hyperfocus unrelated to obsessions or compulsions, which can result in increased distractions from daily life and difficulty completing other important tasks.
As an example, a security-obsessed person with OCD might experience hyperfocus when constantly checking the locks and alarms in their home. In this state of extreme concentration, she can spend hours checking every detail, often losing track of time and neglecting other responsibilities. This hyperfocus on safety is directly related to the person’s obsessions and compulsions, as repetitive review provides brief relief from the person’s anxiety.