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Hyperfocus in ADHD: The Gift and the Curse
Debunking Myths and Navigating the Intense Concentration Landscape in the Tech World
Hyperfocus is an often discussed topic on social media, and one that is somewhat controversial. You can see hundreds if not thousands of videos, podcast episodes and blog posts discussing the so-called super-power that ADHDers possess. I’m here today to offer an opposing perspective, or perhaps a more realistic one.
What is hyperfocus?
In the context of ADHD, hyperfocus is an intense form of concentration or absorption in a task. It’s like having tunnel vision for a specific activity, excluding other stimuli or tasks that may also demand attention.
If you’re an engineer with ADHD, you’ve surely experienced periods of extreme productivity and laser sharp focus when working on a challenging task, or trying to fix a difficult bug. This focus can be so intense that you may find it hard to stop, even if you know there are more urgent things to do. The contrast between hyperfocus and the regular ADHD brain is absurd.
They can pay attention to things they like.
I’ve heard the above statement many times from the relatives and friends of people with ADHD. Whether it’s video games, coding or painting, if…
