Hyperfocus vs Hyperfixation

Hyperfocus? Hyperfixation? What's the difference? What do they mean? And are they strengths? Or a weakness? Can they be useful? Rick talks about his own experience with hyperfocus at work and play, getting in the zone, locked in on what he's doing. He also demonstrates his own personal hyperfixation of 50 years.

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HYPERFOCUS vs HYPERFIXATION
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
You may have noticed two terms, being bandied about a lot lately, Hyperfocus and Hyper-Fixation. Or you may not have noticed, because you were hyperfocused on other stuff. You are a busy person. Several Patrons have asked…“What is the difference, if there is one, between Hyper-focus and Hyper-fixation.”

Good question! I found a variety of definitions. So it is confusing. Some claiming it’s the same thing with different names.

Parents complain that their child gets hyper-fixated playing video games, when they’re actually hyper-focused. Other people will admit they are hyper-focused on rescuing dogs, or having the perfect house, when they’re actually hyper-fixated. At least in my definition of the terms.

So, here’s my take. This is the difference according to the Ricktionary… This may or may not add to the confusion.

First Hyperfocus, which I know well. I start something and hours pass, and I am oblivious until my stomach says, “I’m empty!” Or my bladder shouts, “I’m full.” Paradoxically, paradollicos paradoxical… Oddly enough, when I’m not in a state of Hyperfocus I can be quite the opposite: mind wandering, easily distracted, zoned out, tuned out. And yes, I may look like I’m listening,… I’m lost in thought. Or thoughts. Mind racing. Hop skip and jump. Here, There and Everywhere… (MORE THOUGHTS).

And yet, as I say, sometimes I can be Hyperfocused. This is important because people will dismiss a child, or adult who is distracted, “You can focus just fine when you want to,” They’re right. Kinda. Sort of. Often mostly. Yes…I can focus, even Hyper-Focus on something that interests me… Even when there is a slew of urgent stuff I need to get to. Stuff I may actually want to get to. Or, have to do.

I’m a bit like Goldilocks, although I wouldn’t casually breaking into bear’s dens, without knocking. But I get her quest to find the chair that’s not to hard, not too soft, the porridge that’s just right, and then needing a nap, but unable to rest unless the bed is just right.

My attention can be too little… Or way too much… Or, once in a while, just right. Then I’m in the zone. But sometimes I’m hyperfocused whether I want it to be or not. Unlike Goldilocks I can’t just switch to the next bowl… it’s one more, then another… and another, and one more. Then hyperfocus isn’t a quirk or a strength, it’s a weakness, exploited by social media, and interfering with my life.

In other videos on procrastination we’ve looked at how anyone can struggle to get started, to focus on what needs doing… and yet, with other tasks, starting is not problem. We can slip into hyperfocus very quickly.

Think of someone practicing a sport they love, a musical instrument, playing a video game, drawing, even for some people, paperwork or planning… Their minds are engaged.

For me, it happens when I’m onstage in front of a crowd….or alone, building a miniature world. I’m lost to the world hyperfocused whether I’m building for myself or for others. I spent hours focused on building models for a local railway museum, but kept forgetting to keep track of my hours so I could invoice for my time.

Or, I might start writing a television script and get locked in, for hours and hours… Which is great. If it’s the script that I’m supposed to be working on.

Hyperfocus can be useful… when I’m doing the right thing. Unfortunately, I easily latch onto something trivial, irrelevant, but interesting to me, and never attend to what is urgent, important, but for some reason doesn’t interest my brain. It’s a challenge to become interested in something that doesn’t interest you. Would you like me to talk about Model Railroading for 3 hours? See.

It’s difficult to “choose to be interested,” about something. Why? What’s going on? On a neurochemical level, a task or idea doesn’t trigger the Dopamine, Norepinephrine, these neurotransmitters that give us get up and go! And it’s ongoing. The more we do something, the more the neural pathways grow and strengthen and link to other neurons.

This video is for entertainment purposes only. Copyright Big Brain Productions 2024. All Rights Reserved.

[Pyromaniac]

It's honestly kind of heartbreaking sometimes when you get hyperfixated on something for years and then one little thing comes up, (like you can't go do a regular hobby because something broke and you have to wait for a replacement), and in that short period it's like your brain rewires itself without your permission and you lose all interest and enjoyment of the thing. BUT, I've also come to accept that I could never have maintained all the hobbies and interests I've had at once, and yet I'd hate not to have had them at all. So it's kind of a neccesary evil.

[nefertitimontoya]

When you struggled with a word and immediately found a synonym was so wholesome and encouraging 🥺

[arphotography]

This channel is so helpful. I never knew what was wrong with me but once I found this channel, so much was explained. Thank you so much Rick!!

[AKy]

This hurt so bad. I was an excellent student, and when it came to finishing my thesis, I never did. 6 years of college gone. Finishing things is my biggest adhd hurdle in life. I wish I've known sooner what was happening so I could get help I needed then

[freshoutofcrabs]

The other thing that happens for me with hyperfixation is that I can't stop thinking about it to the point where I won't stop talking about it and annoy other people. Everything reminds me of that thing.

One of the things that can happen with hyperfocus is that I stop existing while it's happening. All that exists is the subject of my focus. I don't even notice things like needing to pee or eat for hours and hours and hours.

[heybro]

This video really helped me understand the concepts, especially with your examples and humor! A+, 10/10, gold star!

[helenalovelock]

Ahhhh I love this video you explain it so so well. I have only just learned at 49 that hyper fixation and hyperfocus has troubled me for decades often to extreme detriment to my life and mental health.

[MathAdam]

Rick! I love your model railroad. When I was I kid, I stop in a shop on the way home from school. It was called "The Hobby Shop." In the back was a fully functioning model railroad. It included mountains, tunnels, a tressle, a small town. I could stand at watch the train go around the tracks for hours. And hours. And hours.
What was this video about again?

[SafetyScout]

Just wanted to say:
“Trains are wonderful. I get it.
And any models are well worth it.
Go for it.”

P.S. Thank you for explaining in Rictionary terms the difference between those two words. It really helped.

[Mr.KellyMelvin]

I watch and learn everything I can about this and this was the first time I have ever heard the concept of being fixated on negative memories …..and the penny drops…..I’ve been watching you play goofy characters all my life… and then I’m enlightened by “Bill”. Perfect. Thank you for all of this.

[thankyou]

enough..." Lol I laughed so hard. :)

[pjackson]

I call it my 2 week thing im fixated on. Every 2 weeks I'm All-In into another wild idea, and high enthusiasm lasts for about 2 weeks then stops suddenly almost every time. It's so frustrating. Like living in groundhog day that lasts 2 weeks and then resets in a different city. Rinse and repeat.

[dalevalentine]

Thank you Rick. With this and your Train video, you have motivated me to restart a long term project - a model of the Cutty Sark I bought at a yard sale in 1984. I carried it around from house to house until I finally started building it during the lockdown. I put it on hold over the summer, but now I have started back on it.
I get hyperfocused when I work on it, but have been thinking about it ever since I bought it all those years ago.
Maybe I will get it done in another year.

[planeman]

Whoa! You're Rick Green, co-creator of The Red Green Show! I loved watching you as a kid! Thank you for the video and for making me laugh and giving me the good juice back in the day. You rock man!

[ruuyin]

Just like in a museum, I could get lost admiring your railroad model! I'd love to someday look at something I made and feel proud that I started doing it in the past.

[RichardT]

From my Dicktionary, hyper focus gives 100% attention on a single subject, hyper fixated is when someone is dismissive of anything else regardless of content or argumentation.

[kyral]

This whole video was just an excuse to show us the model trains and I loved it :D

[martynking]

Rick.... I love you man. Your humour is amazing... Respect..

[ZenOfBeer]

Yes, I very much agree with this distinction and the definitions.

[TecOneself]

Wonderfully explained, thank you. The fun theatrics is well appreciated to learn, the definitions come closer.