Reader’s Question

I was reading up on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) because my mother thinks I might have it. I don’t think I have ADD, but I did come across something that caught my attention and described me to an extent. The issue I stumbled across is called “hyperfocus.” I am able to focus very intently on a certain matter, almost to the point were I don’t recognize some of the things going on around me. For example, if I am trying to see something out of place I find it quickly because I am attentive when it comes to detail. People around me notice how observant I am.

I would appreciate it if you could give me some information on hyperfocus, or if you have enough information from me could you judge whether or not it sounds like it is something that I may be experiencing. (And I don’t know how much this will help, but I have taken several Myers-Briggs tests and every time they said I was an INTJ).

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Hyperfocus is a phenomenon that professionals have been aware of for some time. However, hyperfocus is a much debated issue and has yet to be given legitimacy in the psychiatric nomenclature; it is not listed as an official sign or symptom in the DSM-IV, the official diagnostic manual for mental conditions.

Hyperfocus is the ability some individuals have to completely “zone out” or focus so intently on one thing that they aren’t very aware of things going on around them. Some researchers suggest it is the “ultimate defense against distraction” and serves a very functional purpose. Many professionals believe that the ability to hyperfocus is seen more often in individuals who have a tendency to be introversive (that’s the “I” in your Myers-Briggs INTJ profile) and to “daydream.” It’s also common in those who struggle with ADD, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), or who struggle with any of the various autistic spectrum disorders. But just because you tend to hyperfocus in certain situations doesn’t necessarily mean you have any of the commonly associated conditions.

Some researchers suggest there is a neurological basis to hyperfocus, specifically involving deficient dopamine levels in the frontal cortex of the brain. Other researchers note that the kinds of activities to which individuals tend to hyperfocus are activities that involve high levels of instantaneous feedback and moderate to high levels of sensory stimulation (e.g., watching an interesting TV program or playing a video game).

There doesn’t appear to be anything inherently harmful about hyperfocus, although it can be a bit frustrating for others when you are “in the zone” and they are trying to communicate with you. The most important thing is to learn how to manage and control this tendency so that you can make it work for you instead of against you.