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'''Hyperfocus''' describes an intense form of ] ] or visualization that focuses ] on a narrow subject, or beyond objective ] and onto subjective ], ]s, ], ], or the ].
{{Short description|Intense form of mental concentration}}]


'''Hyperfocus''' is an intense form of ] ] or ] that focuses ] on a subject, topic, or task. In some individuals, various subjects or topics may also include ]s, ]s, ], the ], and other ]. Hyperfocus on a certain subject can cause side-tracking away from ] or important tasks.
==Interpretations==
According to ], hyperfocus is a mental ability that is a natural expression of ]. According to ] diagnoses, hyperfocus is a distraction from reality and a symptom of ] (ADHD), ] (AADD), or ]. In spirituality, hyperfocus is an important element of ]. In common parlance, hyperfocus is sometimes referred to as 'zoning out,' an expression that has its origin in the early 1960s TV show, '']''.


Psychiatrically, it is considered to be a trait of ] together with inattention, and it has been proposed as a trait of other conditions, such as ], and ] (ASD).<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Kooij|first1=J. J. S.|last2=Bijlenga|first2=D.|last3=Salerno|first3=L.|last4=Jaeschke|first4=R.|last5=Bitter|first5=I.|last6=Balázs|first6=J.|last7=Thome|first7=J.|last8=Dom|first8=G.|last9=Kasper|first9=S.|date=1 February 2019|title=Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD|journal=European Psychiatry|volume=56|pages=14–34|doi=10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001|issn=0924-9338|pmid=30453134|doi-access=free|hdl=10651/51910|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="webb" />
==Treatment==
Many people use hyperfocus to accomplish specific goals, such as painting a picture, memorizing facts for a test, solving a ], performing ], or learning to ].


One proposed factor in hyperfocus as a symptom involves the psychological theory of ], wherein one ] specializes in some neural functions and cognitive processes over others. Those who have a tendency to hyperfocus, such as those with ADHD, may experience a form of "]" where attention is dominant on one side of the brain, leading to preferential attention in some neural connections and processes over others overall.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zou |first1=Hongliang |last2=Yang |first2=Jian |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Exploring the Brain Lateralization in ADHD Based on Variability of Resting-State fMRI Signal |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718816170 |journal=Journal of Attention Disorders |language=en |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=258–264 |doi=10.1177/1087054718816170 |pmid=30520697 |via=Sage Publications}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Helfer |first1=Bartosz |last2=Maltezos |first2=Stefanos |last3=Liddle |first3=Elizabeth |last4=Kuntsi |first4=Jonna |last5=Asherson |first5=Philip |date=2020-06-29 |title=Lateralization of attention in adults with ADHD: Evidence of pseudoneglect |journal=European Psychiatry: The Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists |volume=63 |issue=1 |pages=e68 |doi=10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.68 |issn=1778-3585 |pmc=7443776 |pmid=32594941}}</ref> While this idea is under study, it is not yet empirically proven.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j2VvjIBjdE0C&q=right+brain+dominance+hyperfocus&pg=PA11|title=Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child|last1=Freed|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Parsons|first2=Laurie|date=21 October 1998|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9780684847931|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317101107|title=Behavioral and Physiological Bases of Attentional Biases: Paradigms, Participants, and Stimuli|last1=Pfabigan|first1=Daniela M.|last2=Tran|first2=Ulrich S.|date=21 August 2015|publisher=Frontiers Media SA|isbn=9782889196401|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=White|first1=Holly A.|last2=Shah|first2=Priti|date=1 April 2006|title=Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder|journal=Personality and Individual Differences|volume=40|issue=6|pages=1121–1131|doi=10.1016/j.paid.2005.11.007|issn=0191-8869}}</ref>
On the other hand, people in a state of hyperfocus are often regarded by others as absentminded, inattentive, or impulsive. The intensity of hyperfocus can sometimes lead to the subjective loss of time, or a disregard for ].


Hyperfocus may bear a relationship to the concept of ].<ref name="webb">{{citation |first1=James T. |last1=Webb |first2=Edward R. |last2=Amend |first3=Nadia E. |last3=Webb |first4=Jean |last4=Goerss |first5=Paul |last5=Beljan |first6=F. Richard |last6=Olenchak |title=Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders |isbn=9780910707640 |publisher=Great Potential Press, Inc. |year=2005 |place=Scottsdale, AZ |pages=50–51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NQrtt-peg5AC&pg=PA50 |quote=…there are no empirical data that support hyperfocus as an aspect of ADD/ADHD. In gifted children without ADD/ADHD, this rapt and productive attention state is described by Csikszentmihalyi (1990) as ‘flow.’ … What has been coined ‘hyperfocus’ in persons with ADD/ADHD seems to be a less medical-sounding description of perseveration. Thus the apparent ability to concentrate in certain limited situations does not exclude the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. }}</ref> In some circumstances, both flow and hyperfocus can be an aid to achievement, but in other circumstances, the same focus and behavior could be a liability, distracting from the task at hand. However, unlike hyperfocus, "flow" is often described in more positive terms, suggesting they are not two sides of the same condition under contrasting circumstance or intellect.<ref name=":2" />
Sometimes, a person who frequently enters a state of hyperfocus will develop a bad ]. ] and ] may follow. When hyperfocus is interpreted as a symptom of a ], ] and other drugs may be prescribed.


⚫ == Psychiatric symptom ==
In the context of school, children who hyperfocus are sometimes ] for a perceived disrespect to ]. In response, some children may cease to hyperfocus, whereas other children may disguise it. ] behavior, ], ], or ] may follow.


Hyperfocus may in some cases also be symptomatic of a ] condition. In some cases, it is referred to as ]<ref name="webb" />—an inability or impairment in switching tasks or activities ("]"),<ref name="priory">.</ref> or desisting from mental or physical response repetition (gestures, words, thoughts) despite absence or cessation of a ].<ref name="Dict Bio Psych">{{Citation | contribution=Perseveration | year=2001 | title=Dictionary of Biological Psychology | editor-last=Winn | editor-first=Philip | page= | isbn=9780415136068 | publisher=Taylor & Francis | contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UbL2MZ9xI7oC&pg=PA595 | url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofbiol0000unse/page/595 }}</ref><ref name="Helm-Estabrooks">{{cite journal |author=Helm-Estabrooks N |title=The problem of perseveration |journal=Semin Speech Lang |volume=25 |issue=4 |pages=289–90 |year=2004 |pmid=15599818 |doi=10.1055/s-2004-837241 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="PC def">{{cite web |url=http://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/2008/perseveration/ |website=Psych Central |title=Perseveration |last=Grinnell |first=Renée |year=2008 |access-date=13 September 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016104639/http://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/2008/perseveration/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Di def"></ref> It is distinguished from ] (a highly repetitive ] behaviour).<ref name=":0" />
==Debate==
The advantages and disadvantates of hyperfocus are hotly debated among academics, clinicians, and neurodiversity advocates. It may represent a healthy detatchment from ordinary mentality. It may be useful for innovating new approaches to familiar situations. It may improve learning speed and comprehension.


Conditions associated with hyperfocus or perseveration include ]s, particularly those considered to be on the ] and ] (ADHD). In ADHD, it may be a coping mechanism or a symptom of emotional self-regulation. So called "]" people, with high intellect and learning disabilities, may have either or both of hyperfocus and perseverative behaviours.<ref name="webb" /><ref name=":0" /> They are often mimicked by similar conditions involving ] or ], and lack of diagnosis and treatment may lead to further co-morbidity.<ref name=":0" />
On the other hand, it presents a challenge to common teaching and parenting techniques. Schools and parents generally expect, and reward children for obeying authority, but hyperfocused children do not always cooperate under these circumstances. But, if the time and effort is available to accomodate the interests of the child, he or she may be readily cooperative.


===ADHD ===
⚫ == Psychiatric Views ==
Formally, psychiatry describes only the distraction aspect of hyperfocus, referring to ADHD as inattentiveness and impulsiveness. Hyperfocus is not recognised by the ] (]), and no article using the term appears in PubMed.


In ADHD, formulation and thinking can be slower than in ] people (though this is not universal), and may be "long-winded or tangential".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Goodin|first1=Kate|title=Famous People with ADHD|url=http://www.parenting.com/gallery/famous-people-with-add-or-adhd?page=16|website=Parenting|publisher=Meredith Corporation|access-date=22 August 2013|quote=David Neeleman, Founder of JetBlue Airways … reported in an interview with ADDitude magazine his ADHD prevents him from being detail-oriented and completing doing day-to-day tasks, saying, ‘I have an easier time planning a 20-aircraft fleet than I do paying the light bill.’|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701212621/http://www.parenting.com/gallery/famous-people-with-add-or-adhd?page=16|url-status=dead}}</ref> These inattentive symptoms occur dually with what has been termed "hyperfocus" by the 2019 Updated European Consensus Statement on Adult ADHD.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kooij |first1=J. J. S. |last2=Bijlenga |first2=D. |last3=Salerno |first3=L. |last4=Jaeschke |first4=R. |last5=Bitter |first5=I. |last6=Balázs |first6=J. |last7=Thome |first7=J. |last8=Dom |first8=G. |last9=Kasper |first9=S. |last10=Filipe |first10=C. Nunes |last11=Stes |first11=S. |last12=Mohr |first12=P. |last13=Leppämäki |first13=S. |last14=Casas |first14=M. |last15=Bobes |first15=J. |date=2019 |title=Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/updated-european-consensus-statement-on-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-adult-adhd/707E2A36539213CF85EACCA576F47427 |journal=European Psychiatry |language=en |volume=56 |issue=1 |pages=14–34 |doi=10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001 |pmid=30453134 |issn=0924-9338 |quote=Patients may also over-concentrate or ‘hyperfocus’. This phenomenon most commonly occurs when engaged in activities that the patient finds very interesting and/or provide instant gratification, such as computer games or online chatting. For such activities, concentration may last for hours on end, in a very focused manner.|hdl=10651/51910 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The over-concentration or hyperfocus often occurs if the person finds something "very interesting and/or provide(s) instant gratification, such as ]. For such activities, concentration may last for hours on end, in a very focused manner."<ref name=":0" />
Besides hyperfocus, various special abilities have been suggested to occur in ADHD, including vigilance, response-readiness, enthusiasm, and flexibility. But current ADHD research does not recognize these characteristics. Greater creativity has also been suggested, but formal measures of this are no higher in children with ADHD than in control groups.


ADHD is a difficulty in ''directing'' one's attention (an ] of the ]), ''not'' a lack of attention.<ref>2012 Burnett Lecture , Ph.D. by UNCCHLearningCenter, retrieved Aug 2013</ref><ref>2012 Burnett Lecture, , by UNCCHLearningCenter</ref><ref>2012 Burnett Lecture by UNCCHLearningCenter - Streamed live on 1 November 2012 Sponsored by the Academic Success Program for Students with LD and ADHD — a UNC-Chapel Hill Learning Center Program in the College of Arts and Sciences — and the UNC General Alumni</ref>
Nevertheless, psychiatric research suggests that there are several reasons for the persistence of the notion that people with ADHD have the ability to hyperfocus. For example, well-recognised comorbidity of ADHD with ] disorders, of which excess focus is a part. Special abilities do occur in some ADHD people, so it is easy to generalize from this minority to the whole ADHD group. ADHD is a remarkably common, but primarily genetically determined disorder (affecting 4-8% of school age children), so it is difficult to see why evolution hasn't removed it unless it bestows some benefit.


Conditions likely to be confused with hyperfocus often involve repetition of thoughts or behaviors such as ] (OCD), ],<ref name="differential">{{cite web |first=James Robert |last=Brasic |title=Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Differential Diagnoses |date=9 July 2012 |website=Medscape Reference |url=http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1826591-differential}}</ref> and some cases of ].<ref name="priory" />
Professional psychiatry does not completely discount the existence of hyperfocus, as many adults with ADHD attribute accomplishments in their lives to this mental ability. As ADHD in adults is a relatively new area of learning in comparison with the condition in children, many clinicians feel that hyperfocus is an aspect of adult ADHD which is not well understood and merits more thorough research.


==References== === Autism ===
Two major symptoms of ] (ASD) include repetitive sounds or movements and fixation on various things including topics and activities.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Ashinoff |first1=Brandon K. |last2=Abu-Akel |first2=Ahmad |date=2021 |title=Hyperfocus: the forgotten frontier of attention |journal=Psychological Research |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1007/s00426-019-01245-8 |issn=0340-0727 |pmc=7851038 |pmid=31541305}}</ref> Hyperfocus in the context of ASD has also been referred to as the inability to redirect thoughts or tasks as the situation changes (]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Geurts |first1=Hilde M. |last2=Corbett |first2=Blythe |last3=Solomon |first3=Marjorie |date=1 February 2009 |title=The paradox of cognitive flexibility in autism |journal=Trends in Cognitive Sciences |language=en |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=74–82 |doi=10.1016/j.tics.2008.11.006 |pmid=19138551 |pmc=5538880 |issn=1364-6613}}</ref>
Hartmann, Thom. (1998) ''Healing ADD: Simple Exercises That Will Change Your Daily Life''.

Underwood-Miller (1st ed.) ISBN 1887424377.
One suggested explanation for hyperfocus in those with ASD is that the activity they are hyperfocused on is predictable. Aversion to unpredictable situations is a characteristic of ASD,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autism spectrum disorder - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928 |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}</ref> while focusing on something predictable, they will have trouble changing to a task that is unpredictable.<ref name=":3" />
Hartmann, Thom. (1993) ''ADD: A Different Perception''.

Goldstein and Barkley (1998) ''ADHD Report 6'', 5.
=== Schizophrenia ===
Jensen et al, J.Am.Acad.Ch.Ad. (1997) ''Psychiatry 36'', 12.
] is a mental condition characterized by a disconnect from reality, including ], disorganized thinking, and abnormal social behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schizophrenia - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443 |access-date=12 March 2022 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}</ref> Recently, hyperfocus has come into attention as a part of the cognitive symptoms associated with the disorder. In this use, hyperfocus is an intense focus on processing the information in front of them. This hypothesis suggests that hyperfocus is the reason those afflicted with schizophrenia experience difficulty spreading their attention across multiple things.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Luck |first1=Steven J |last2=Hahn |first2=Britta |last3=Leonard |first3=Carly J |last4=Gold |first4=James M |date=11 September 2019 |title=The Hyperfocusing Hypothesis: A New Account of Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbz063 |journal=Schizophrenia Bulletin |volume=45 |issue=5 |pages=991–1000 |doi=10.1093/schbul/sbz063 |pmid=31317191 |pmc=6737469 |issn=0586-7614}}</ref>
Shelley-Tremblay and Rosen (1996)

Funk et al. (1993) ''Pediatrics 91'', 4.
=== Psychopathy ===
Some research, such as that of Naomi Sadeh and Edelyn Verona, published in ''Neuropsychology'' in 2008,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sadeh |first1=Naomi |last2=Verona |first2=Edelyn |date=2008 |title=Psychopathic personality traits associated with abnormal selective attention and impaired cognitive control. |journal=Neuropsychology |language=en |volume=22 |issue=5 |pages=669–680 |doi=10.1037/a0012692 |issn=1931-1559 |pmc=2538613 |pmid=18763886}}</ref> has suggested that psychopaths are hyperfocused on obtaining a reward and as a result their ability to use contextual cues, punishment or contextual information for adjusting their behaviour may be impaired. Moreover, they develop tunnel vision blocking out any peripheral stimulation (such as fear of achieving the goal).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dotterer |first1=Hailey L. |last2=Hyde |first2=Luke W. |last3=Shaw |first3=Daniel S. |last4=Rodgers |first4=Emma L. |last5=Forbes |first5=Erika E. |last6=Beltz |first6=Adriene M. |date=2020 |title=Connections that characterize callousness: Affective features of psychopathy are associated with personalized patterns of resting-state network connectivity |journal=NeuroImage. Clinical |volume=28 |pages=102402 |doi=10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102402 |issn=2213-1582 |pmc=7479442 |pmid=32891038}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Worthington |first1=Rachel |last2=Wheeler |first2=Suzanne |date=2023-01-01 |title=Hyperfocus and offending behaviour: a systematic review |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-01-2022-0005 |journal=The Journal of Forensic Practice |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=185–200 |doi=10.1108/JFP-01-2022-0005 |issn=2050-8794}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
*] * ]
⚫ *]
* ] (antonym)
⚫ ]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | author = Hartmann, T. | year = 1998 | title = Healing ADD: Simple Exercises That Will Change Your Daily Life | publisher = Underwood-Miller | edition = 1st | isbn = 1-887424-37-7 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/healingaddsimple00hart_0 }}
* {{ cite book | author = Hartmann, T. | year = 1997 | title = Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception | edition = 2nd | publisher = Underwood | isbn = 978-1887424141 }}
* {{ cite journal |author1=Goldstein, S. |author2=Barkley, R. A. | title = ADHD, hunting and evolution: "Just So" stories (commentary) | journal = ADHD Report | year = 1998 | volume = 6 | issue = 5 | pages = 1–4 }}
* {{cite journal | author1 = Jensen, P. S. | author2 = Mrazek, D. | author3 = Knapp, P. K. | author4 = Steinberg, L. | author5 = Pfeffer, C. | author6 = Schowalter, J. | author7 = Shapiro, T. | title = Evolution and Revolution in Child Psychiatry: ADHD as a Disorder of Adaptation | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | year = 1997 | volume = 36 | issue = 12 | pages = 1672–1681 | doi = 10.1097/00004583-199712000-00015 | pmid = 9401328 | url = http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-medicine/departments/clinical-departments/psychiatry/training/medical-student-information/upload/Child-Psychiatry-Handout-B.pdf }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes|url=https://retroworldnews.com/the-best-foods-to-eat-and-to-avoid-when-managing-adhd/}}
* {{ cite journal |author1=Shelley-Tremblay, J. F. |author2=Rosén, L. A. | title = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Evolutionary Perspective | journal = The Journal of Genetic Psychology | year = 1996 | volume = 157 | issue = 4 | pages = 443–453 | doi = 10.1080/00221325.1996.9914877 | pmid = 8955426 }}
* {{ cite journal |author1=Funk, J. B. |author2=Chessare, J. B. |author3=Weaver, M. T. |author4=Exley, A. R. | title = Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, creativity, and the effects of methylphenidate | journal = Pediatrics | year = 1993 | volume = 91 | issue = 4 | pages = 816–819 |doi=10.1542/peds.91.4.816 | pmid = 8464673 |s2cid=23043636 }}
* {{ cite web | work = ADDitude magazine | year = 2008 | url = http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/612.html | author = Flippin, R. | title = ADHD Symptom: Hyperfocus }}

{{Pervasive developmental disorders}}
{{Autism resources}}

⚫ ]
]
]
⚫ ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 30 October 2024

Intense form of mental concentration
Monotropic and polytropic learning
Monotropic (hyperfocus) and polytropic learning

Hyperfocus is an intense form of mental concentration or visualization that focuses consciousness on a subject, topic, or task. In some individuals, various subjects or topics may also include daydreams, concepts, fiction, the imagination, and other objects of the mind. Hyperfocus on a certain subject can cause side-tracking away from assigned or important tasks.

Psychiatrically, it is considered to be a trait of ADHD together with inattention, and it has been proposed as a trait of other conditions, such as schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

One proposed factor in hyperfocus as a symptom involves the psychological theory of brain lateralization, wherein one hemisphere of the brain specializes in some neural functions and cognitive processes over others. Those who have a tendency to hyperfocus, such as those with ADHD, may experience a form of "pseudoneglect" where attention is dominant on one side of the brain, leading to preferential attention in some neural connections and processes over others overall. While this idea is under study, it is not yet empirically proven.

Hyperfocus may bear a relationship to the concept of flow. In some circumstances, both flow and hyperfocus can be an aid to achievement, but in other circumstances, the same focus and behavior could be a liability, distracting from the task at hand. However, unlike hyperfocus, "flow" is often described in more positive terms, suggesting they are not two sides of the same condition under contrasting circumstance or intellect.

Psychiatric symptom

Hyperfocus may in some cases also be symptomatic of a psychiatric condition. In some cases, it is referred to as perseveration—an inability or impairment in switching tasks or activities ("set-shifting"), or desisting from mental or physical response repetition (gestures, words, thoughts) despite absence or cessation of a stimulus. It is distinguished from stereotypy (a highly repetitive idiosyncratic behaviour).

Conditions associated with hyperfocus or perseveration include neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those considered to be on the autism spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In ADHD, it may be a coping mechanism or a symptom of emotional self-regulation. So called "twice exceptional" people, with high intellect and learning disabilities, may have either or both of hyperfocus and perseverative behaviours. They are often mimicked by similar conditions involving executive dysfunction or emotional dysregulation, and lack of diagnosis and treatment may lead to further co-morbidity.

ADHD

In ADHD, formulation and thinking can be slower than in neurotypical people (though this is not universal), and may be "long-winded or tangential". These inattentive symptoms occur dually with what has been termed "hyperfocus" by the 2019 Updated European Consensus Statement on Adult ADHD. The over-concentration or hyperfocus often occurs if the person finds something "very interesting and/or provide(s) instant gratification, such as computer games or online chatting. For such activities, concentration may last for hours on end, in a very focused manner."

ADHD is a difficulty in directing one's attention (an executive function of the frontal lobe), not a lack of attention.

Conditions likely to be confused with hyperfocus often involve repetition of thoughts or behaviors such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, and some cases of traumatic brain injury.

Autism

Two major symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) include repetitive sounds or movements and fixation on various things including topics and activities. Hyperfocus in the context of ASD has also been referred to as the inability to redirect thoughts or tasks as the situation changes (cognitive flexibility).

One suggested explanation for hyperfocus in those with ASD is that the activity they are hyperfocused on is predictable. Aversion to unpredictable situations is a characteristic of ASD, while focusing on something predictable, they will have trouble changing to a task that is unpredictable.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental condition characterized by a disconnect from reality, including grandiose delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormal social behavior. Recently, hyperfocus has come into attention as a part of the cognitive symptoms associated with the disorder. In this use, hyperfocus is an intense focus on processing the information in front of them. This hypothesis suggests that hyperfocus is the reason those afflicted with schizophrenia experience difficulty spreading their attention across multiple things.

Psychopathy

Some research, such as that of Naomi Sadeh and Edelyn Verona, published in Neuropsychology in 2008, has suggested that psychopaths are hyperfocused on obtaining a reward and as a result their ability to use contextual cues, punishment or contextual information for adjusting their behaviour may be impaired. Moreover, they develop tunnel vision blocking out any peripheral stimulation (such as fear of achieving the goal).

See also

References

  1. ^ Kooij, J. J. S.; Bijlenga, D.; Salerno, L.; Jaeschke, R.; Bitter, I.; Balázs, J.; Thome, J.; Dom, G.; Kasper, S. (1 February 2019). "Updated European Consensus Statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD". European Psychiatry. 56: 14–34. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.11.001. hdl:10651/51910. ISSN 0924-9338. PMID 30453134.
  2. ^ Webb, James T.; Amend, Edward R.; Webb, Nadia E.; Goerss, Jean; Beljan, Paul; Olenchak, F. Richard (2005), Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders, Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press, Inc., pp. 50–51, ISBN 9780910707640, …there are no empirical data that support hyperfocus as an aspect of ADD/ADHD. In gifted children without ADD/ADHD, this rapt and productive attention state is described by Csikszentmihalyi (1990) as 'flow.' … What has been coined 'hyperfocus' in persons with ADD/ADHD seems to be a less medical-sounding description of perseveration. Thus the apparent ability to concentrate in certain limited situations does not exclude the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
  3. Zou, Hongliang; Yang, Jian (6 December 2018). "Exploring the Brain Lateralization in ADHD Based on Variability of Resting-State fMRI Signal". Journal of Attention Disorders. 25 (2): 258–264. doi:10.1177/1087054718816170. PMID 30520697 – via Sage Publications.
  4. Helfer, Bartosz; Maltezos, Stefanos; Liddle, Elizabeth; Kuntsi, Jonna; Asherson, Philip (29 June 2020). "Lateralization of attention in adults with ADHD: Evidence of pseudoneglect". European Psychiatry: The Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists. 63 (1): e68. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.68. ISSN 1778-3585. PMC 7443776. PMID 32594941.
  5. Freed, Jeffrey; Parsons, Laurie (21 October 1998). Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780684847931.
  6. Pfabigan, Daniela M.; Tran, Ulrich S. (21 August 2015). Behavioral and Physiological Bases of Attentional Biases: Paradigms, Participants, and Stimuli. Frontiers Media SA. ISBN 9782889196401.
  7. ^ White, Holly A.; Shah, Priti (1 April 2006). "Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder". Personality and Individual Differences. 40 (6): 1121–1131. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.11.007. ISSN 0191-8869.
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