A “hyperfixation” is the complete obsession or intense and prolonged focus over a particular hobby or task. This could be a special interest, a TV series, a new subject you are researching, a new relationship even.
As an AuDHDer my hyperfixations tend to be centred around my special interests of music and reading and tend to last around a few weeks but they can also be totally new hobbies I get into for up to a year and then leave, never to touch them again.
One of my current special interests is neurodivergence. Over the past two years I have consumed so much information through books, videos, social media content and podcasts in order to understand how my brain works. Although this hyperfixation has waned a little since I first started, I’m still passionate about the subject and want to learn even more. Could this have been seen as unhealthy at some point? Yes definitely due to the money spent on books and my inability to think of nothing else for months on end although you could say that that has been processing time for a lifetime of masking and not understanding why I felt so different.
A couple of years ago I got really into Bullet Journalling and Calligraphy which lasted about nine months. I bought so many supplies, journal, pens, stickers and spent hours drawing and planning out pages for the journal. I even started an Instagram page for it. It was really relaxing but I spent so much money and time which I didn’t really have!
This year so far my hyperfixations have been on music. January was a month of the Wicked Soundtrack and February a month of Chappell Roan’s album. Both on repeat over and over, in the kitchen, shower, car and then just in my head! Apart from annoying my partner and boys, I don’t feel this music obsession has been unhealthy. It gives me joy.
I would say my hyperfixations become unhealthy when I lose track of time and forget things I should be doing. I’m also guilty of ignoring my kids and staying up way past when I should go to bed for example if I’m in the middle of a new Netflix series or playing my favourite game on my phone.
What is your current hyperfixation?
