Extreme sports, extreme bubble gum, extreme bicycles...extreme make-overs.
My doctor says I have "extreme" ADD and non-extreme aspergers. The typical lack of focus has always been an issue for me.

Hyperfocus is an "extreme" issue.
Before I knew about ADHD I called them "kicks".


How can I place this kick where it belongs if I can't find my shoes? ;) Now hat was funny.
A healthy kick...I'm sure one must be around here somewhere.

Just take a look at some of these places I've been. Some may be healthy to an extent, some are obviously not....some are superficial, some are life altering...but they have all been misguided and troublesome.

Some boughts of hyperfocus have been short and some long term...and they have all been dropped as suddenly as they've appeared. The more I try to stop, the harder it is. Hyperfocus runs it's course. And when this happens everything is thrown off kilter and other areas of life are neglected.

-family dynamics
-exercise-cleaning-flylady-google
-weight
-birth order-hats-sheep-chickens
-a philosophy
-a food-houses-decorating
-people-an individual
-health-hair
-fingernails-fireside chats-cooking-relationships
-hair-various areas of my body
-sex
-first aid
-furniture-thrift shops-landscaping
-spirituality-personal journey
-civic work-camping-hiking
-political movements-extra curricular children's activities-men-mental health-physical health-color-antiques
-junk-teeth-painting everything (floors,ceilings..)
-painting- art
-lamps-doors-morality-finding 'self'-autumn
-religion-ADHD
-this forum
-landscaping-flowers-dancing
-bagged lunches-rocks
-bees-pets-reading-birds-the coast
-the mountains-aspergers
-narcissism-magazines-horses-candles-back to nature
-figure study-art business-teaching-wine
-the moon
-astronomy
-a cd
-a movie-an idea-writing-the mountains-art history-van gogh
-Europe-journalling-online journalling-shadows-shoes-geneology

etc......and not in that order.
My husband looks at me and says "what's next?"

What do I tell him?
Sorry honey, you live with a nut?
Nuts...I think I've done that one too.

Is 'extreme' hyperfocus a common issue?
How can it be directed?

Yes,

Don't know.

Bob

For me, I have found that my hyperfocus only comes on things that I am totally interested in: Sports, debating, and learning things that I like are all things that I hyperfocus on. As far as I know, I have not been able to direct it in any way, it just happens when i get "into the mode" Im trying meditation to see if i can just start to control it in general and we will see how that works. My dad is trying it and it is helping him focus and sleep better, so we will see.

Gourmet..yep.

Could probably do that thing they do in Congress to keep the vote open...or something. Not gerrymandering...that has to do with political districts. Can you remember the term...where they talk all night long?

Oh my gods, girl !!
You are so my twin !!!

I have a collection of about 16 books at my feet right now that I'm reading all at the same time (I read a few chapters until I start getting bored, then I switch books)
And those, don't include the three on my night stand, by my bed.

I won't even tell you about all the websites I've been on today alone..

Not to mention my creative side...
You only get to see the poems I allow you to see on this here. (0:

Love you G !!

Nova

In my experience hyperfocus is to want/desire etc something in combination with fear (or any other negative emotion).

In a way this is logical. Since we filter poorly we like to go on adrenaline; IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES US FOCUS!!! And we all know how one gets adrenline... Yep, by stress :-) It's a leftover from the olden days when we had to decide if we should flee or fight.

So, I think that if the 'want' gets into danger, stress sets in because of fear of loss etc, this causes a stress situation and this makes the adrenaline flowing. Voila!


Example:
ADDer (us) are very good at waiting until the very last moment before we undertake action. Then it becomes a problem and we get obsessed by solving it. We go and go and go and we do not care if the world falls apart around us... Just as long as we solve the problem. Afterwards we are sooo tired!

Wanting to wield your hyperfocus is just another attempt to become like the other 90% of the population. It wil only make you more neurtic!

tetsuo76......I know the fear you are referring to.

When people get that tone in their voice that says "Why isn't my painting ready you irresponsible woman. I hate you, I hate you."
The fear gets my butt to the studio on a 72 hour no sleep, eat crackers for breakfast/lunch/supper mission that gives me the shakes It takes days to recover from the "pain of it all".

As painful as it can be, history continues to repeat itself and no one in his right mind would believe that I give two s**ts about any of it. But the truth is that I do care so much that all my thoughts do is race around this project that I absolutely want to do the work and deliver it in time.

I tell my husband "Nobody would EVER choose to be this way"....even With all the 'gifts' and blessings ADD may allow me. Right now this is not a healthy way to live.
I have a lot of people who depend on me.

I'm so tired of the disgust others feel for me because of my "ability" to hyperfocus.

The psychologist tells me that counseling can't will away hyperfocus. And that makes me SO sad.
Maybe I have control issues?? If only. Please...because it is preferable being out of control.

Hyperfocus only helps when it's not destructive.
Now what do you think of that brilliant statement?


I was healed. I thought I was healed :(

Please correct my typo.
...because it is preferable TO being out of control.

'growl'

~gourmet~