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Revision as of 05:21, 31 March 2005 by Vaoverland (talk | contribs) (new article)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)hyperfocus is a mental state often associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a human pyschiatric disorder often diagnosed in childhood which is thought to continue into adulthood for about 30% of individuals.
Most people with ADHD have a tendency to "hyperfocus" - focus very very strongly on something which interests them. ADHD is a neurological difference that makes it very difficult to attend to things which are not interesting to the person involved. Note, I didn't say "not important" but "not interesting." In fact, for a person with ADD, the harder he/she tries to concentrate/focus on something that is not interesting to that person, the harder it gets to do so! The part of the brain used for focusing shuts down! When that same person is working on something that is interesting, it can be almost impossible to get that person to switch attention elsewhere.
To some individuals, hyperfocus may be the best positive thing about ADHD. When they are "in gear", they claim to be very happy and may be very creative. Many of history's most famous and creative persons are thought to have had ADHD and displayed hyperfocus in their behavior.
See also articles on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and List of famous people and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder