Exploring Hyperfixations: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Manifest Across Neurotypes

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had hyperfixations. There were times where I would be so wrapped up in a fairy game or a book or videos about whatever topic I was focused on at the time, that I would forget to eat! The idea of “hyperfixations” has gained significant attention in recent years, especially within neurodivergent communities. Many neurodivergent people experience hyperfixation, and if you’re wondering what hyperfixation is, it may look different from person to person. For some people, hyperfixation describes an intense, all-consuming focus on a specific interest, activity, or topic that lasts for extended periods. While this phenomenon can be fulfilling and exciting, it can also become overwhelming, disruptive to daily life, and draining. Like I said, for me, I would sometimes forget to take care of my daily needs because I was so deeply engaged in my hyperfixation. However, hyperfixations are a whole lot more than just being interested in something. It’s a common trait of neurodivergence that can be supported to lead to a more fulfilling life. By understanding the nature of hyperfixation, we can better appreciate the strengths and challenges it brings to neurodivergent people.
 

What Is Hyperfixation?

Hyperfixation is a state in which an individual becomes deeply absorbed in an activity, subject, or hobby to the point where it consumes a significant portion of their time and attention. Hyperfixation can also go hand-in-hand with monotropism.  This intense focus can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, months, or even longer. When hyperfixaed, a person may struggle to shift their attention away from the object of their focus, even if they are aware that they need to engage in other tasks. Hyperfixation involves a heightened sense of immersion, where an individual may lose track of time, forget to eat or sleep, and find it difficult to engage in conversations or tasks unrelated to their focus. While this can be incredibly productive and enjoyable for some people, it can also lead to burnout or frustration when the hyperfixation is interrupted or when it conflicts with daily responsibilities. For me, when I’m super engaged in a hyperfixation, I’ll feel irritable or upset when I force myself away from it to do other things, especially things I know I need to do. Ironically, I’ve recently been super immersed in an audiobook hyperfixation, and it was a challenge to convince myself to pull away from my book in order to write this article!
 

Which Neurotypes Experience Hyperfixations?

Hyperfixations are commonly associated with neurodivergence and are often seen in autistic individuals or ADHDers. These two neurotypes, as well as the blend of the two: AuDHD,  frequently exhibit traits that include intense focus on specific interests, making hyperfixations a common trait.
 

1. Autistic People

For autistic individuals, hyperfixations are often linked to special interests. These are deep and passionate interests in specific subjects or activities that can dominate a person’s thoughts and conversations. Special interests are a core part of the autistic experience, and harnessing hyperfixation on these interests allows autistic people to explore their passions in incredible depth, often for long periods of time. Autistic people are more likely to have special interests that last for years, unlike their ADHD counterparts who may experience shorter-lived hyperfixations. While hyperfixation on special interests can be a source of joy and comfort, they may also be seen as disruptive when the individual becomes so absorbed that they neglect other aspects of their life. 
 

2. ADHDers

ADHDers experience hyperfixations in a slightly different way. While ADHD is characterized by difficulties with sustained attention and impulsivity, hyperfixation represents a flip side of this: an ability to focus intensely on one task or topic for long periods. ADHDers often describe hyperfixation as something that comes on suddenly, without warning, and can make it hard to switch focus, even when necessary. This is often referred to as "hyperfocus."
 

3. AuDHDers

AuDHDers often experience special interests and hyperfixations as a unique mix of their two neurotypes. In my experience as an AuDHDer, this can often feel conflicting. Sometimes, my autistic side will want to hyperfocus on a special interest that I’ve had for years, but my ADHD side might feel bored with it and have trouble sustaining attention. For me, this ends up looking like having a number of special interests that last for longer lengths of time intermixed with shorter hyperfixations.

While hyperfixation is most commonly discussed in relation to autism and ADHD, it can also occur in other neurodivergent individuals. It’s important to note that hyperfixation isn’t exclusive to these neurotypes, but it is a more prominent feature in people with neurodivergent brains. 
 

What is Hyperfixation vs. Other Forms of Intense Interest

At first glance, hyperfixations might seem similar to a hobby or passion that someone is particularly invested in. However, hyperfixations differ in their intensity, duration, and the impact they have on an individual's daily life. 
 

1. Duration

While hobbies or passions may ebb and flow over time, hyperfixations often last with intensity for a more concentrated period. During this period, the individual may spend hours or days straight focused on their interest, to the exclusion of other responsibilities. For example, someone with a hobby might spend a few hours a week engaging with it, whereas a hyperfixation can lead to marathon sessions that last for days or weeks. With my current audiobook hyperfixation, I’ll realize that I’ve had virtually zero time away from it aside from my work responsibilities. Like, instead of having well-rounded hobbies and activities throughout the day, I will end a session and immediately put my headphones back on to immerse myself back in my book. Sometimes it makes me neglect responsibilities! And it’s hard to force myself away from it. 
 

2. Difficulty Switching Focus

With hyperfixations, switching focus or task-switching can feel nearly impossible. Even if the individual knows they need to shift their attention to other tasks, they may find it extremely difficult to break away from their hyperfixation. This contrasts with hobbies, where it’s easier to put the activity on hold and return to it later. With my AuDHD brain, the autistic side of me likes the consistency of doing the same thing for extended periods of time, while the ADHD side of me is always worried that if I do pull myself away from it, I won’t be able to recapture the same level of interest and devotion that I had before. 
 

3. Impact on Daily Functioning

Hyperfixations can interfere with everyday life in ways that hobbies do not. People in a state of hyperfixation may lose track of time, forget to eat, or miss important deadlines. Hobbies typically do not have this level of interference with day-to-day responsibilities. Sometimes, I’ll find myself trying to combine my current hyperfixation with whatever responsibility I have, just so I don’t have to stop the hyperfixation. When I was younger, this looked like talking about fairies during school or somehow applying things about fairies to my school, watching swimming videos instead of doing homework, and doing deep dives into certain aspects of my psychology and social work courses that aligned with my special interests and sometimes neglecting other aspects of them.
 

4. Emotional Intensity

Hyperfixations are often emotionally intense. People may feel an overwhelming sense of excitement or urgency to engage with the hyperfixation. Interruptions or being forced to stop can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, nervous system dysregulation, or even distress. While hobbies can also be sources of joy, they typically don’t evoke the same level of emotional attachment or distress when interrupted. It’s important to give yourself grace when these things happen and give yourself plenty of time to transition from one activity to the next. 
 

The Role of Hyperfixations in Different Neurotypes

1. Autistic Hyperfixations

For many autistic people, hyperfixation on special interests is a way to make sense of the world. These special interests often serve as a comforting and predictable escape from the sensory and social challenges of everyday life. Autistic hyperfixations can involve subjects like animals, history, art, video games, technology, or almost anything else that captures the individual’s interest. Personally, my special interests have always been things that somehow relate to helping me understand “why I am the way I am” (before I knew I was autistic) or understanding why other people are the way they are. I loved fairies because they all had specific roles in the community. I love personality assessments like the Enneagram and Meyers-Briggs because it helped me make sense of myself and others. I love psychology and social justice because it gives so much context and understanding to the way society and people work. Special interests were/are my way of connecting with the world around me and making sense of a society that is deeply confusing most of the time. 

Because hyperfixation on special interests can be so consuming, it’s not uncommon for autistic individuals to spend countless hours researching or engaging in their special interest, acquiring an in-depth knowledge far beyond that of the average person. In some cases, this hyperfixation can lead to academic or career success, particularly when the interest aligns with professional or educational opportunities. My special interest in psychology, social work, and, more specifically, neurodivergence are what have allowed me to be in this field without fully burning myself out. Now that I work with people who share my neurotype and I can continue to learn and grow in my special interest for my job, I am able to handle the demands of working much better than I had when my job didn’t align as much with my special interests. 

However, because hyperfixations can be so absorbing, they may sometimes cause challenges in social relationships or daily functioning. For example, an autistic person may struggle to engage in conversations or activities that are not related to their hyperfixation, leading to misunderstandings or frustration from others who may not share the same level of interest. Additionally, in my experience, we can sometimes come across as “know-it-alls” or “argumentative” if we are having conversations with people who aren’t as knowledgeable about our special interests. We may be just genuinely trying to educate others on the knowledge we’ve spent so long accumulating, which is often very enjoyable and exciting to us, and it can be hard when people don’t appreciate, understand, or aren’t open to learning new perspectives. 
 

2. ADHD Hyperfixations

In ADHD, hyperfixations often manifest as periods of intense focus on a task or activity that the individual finds particularly stimulating or rewarding. This hyperfocus can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it allows people with ADHD to achieve a high level of productivity when working on something they are passionate about. On the other hand, it can be difficult to snap out of the hyperfixation, leading to problems with time management, task completion, and attention to other responsibilities.

ADHD hyperfixations can come and go unpredictably. One day, a person with ADHD might be hyperfixated on a work project and accomplish more than they thought possible, while the next day, they might struggle to muster any interest in the same task. This can lead to feelings of frustration, as the person may feel they have little control over when and how hyperfixations occur. It often feels as though you have to wait for the hyperfocus to kick in to be able to actually get anything done, which can be frustrating.
 

Accommodating Hyperfixations

For neurodivergent people, hyperfixations are a natural part of life, and finding ways to accommodate them can lead to a healthy balance of passion and responsibility, sometimes even combining the two. These tips are not a be-all for everyone. And, these do not have to be utilized everytime you engage in a special interest. These are more referring to when you’re struggling to get other things done because you’re so hyperfixated on something, but you really want to get your responsibilities done. 
 

• Setting Time Limits: Try to set time limits for engaging in a hyperfixation, especially if it starts to interfere with daily routines. Setting an alarm or scheduling breaks can help maintain a sense of balance. Sometimes, “padding” a responsibility with hyperfixation time can help with executive dysfunction, offering a boost of dopamine to help you get the task started and then a reward after the task is completed. 
   

• Using Hyperfixations Strategically: If possible, channel the energy from hyperfixation into something you want or need to get done, such as a work or school project. Finding ways to relate your current hyperfixations into your demands can help them become more engaging and enjoyable. This can help make the most of the intense focus while achieving tangible results. 
   

• Communicating with Others: It’s important to communicate with friends, family, or coworkers about your hyperfixation. Letting them know why you’re deeply focused on a particular activity can help avoid misunderstandings.
   

• Mindful Shifting: Practice mindful shifting techniques to help transition out of hyperfixation when necessary. This could involve using grounding techniques, setting up rewards for completing other tasks, or creating a routine that helps you switch gears. Behavioral activation can be helpful as well. 
   

Conclusion

Hyperfixations are a powerful aspect of many neurodivergent lives, providing both joy and challenges. Whether they manifest in autistic people’s special interests or in ADHD hyperfocus, hyperfixations offer a unique way of engaging deeply with the world. By learning to manage and accommodate hyperfixations, neurodivergent individuals can harness their passions while maintaining a healthy balance with other aspects of life. Understanding the role of hyperfixations is key to appreciating the rich, complex experiences of neurodivergent minds. What are your hyperfixations? At NeuroSpark, we want to hear all about your hyperfixations and special interests as part of our comprehensive adult autism and ADHD assessment process.