Hi all. As you can see, I'm a 'newb,' having just discovered this forum.

Was officially diagnosed last month, and have gotten into a phase where I'm really tryin to understand which parts of my behaviors are ADHD related so I can work around or with them.

One of them that I just realizes may or may not be ADHD related are my 'staring fits.' (a term coined by my grandmother when I was very young.') Essentially, a 'staring fit' is when I get locked into staring at something. IT's not any one thing in particular. IT can be a coin, table edge...rarely is it a person or animal. Generally something that is stationary.

But I get locked into staring, and I can hear things going on around me...people speak directly to me...sometimes even repeat my name...but for about 30 seconds or so, I just cannot break my focus on whatever object. I have never noticed it happening while I drive, so that's a relief, but I suspect, since it's stationary objects, the car movement would prevent my gaze from getting locked.) My fiance says it's like I leave my body...I"m simplly 'not there.'

Is this an ADHD symptom? If so, is it something I just have to contend with as a 'quirk.' It has never seemed particularly problematic or dangerous, just very strange to those around me, and can be embarrasing if I'm in a work meeting or something and zone out.

I meet with my Med Dr. in a month and he asked me to keep track of symptoms I am/become aware of.

I think alot of people do this. I do this sometimes. My husband has done it and he doesn't have ADHD. I don't know where it comes from but personally I don't think it is solely related to ADHD.

My mums inattentive ADD and she zones out ALL the time, its really annoying when im trying to talk to her and she is just staring, it happens mostly when she is watching tv... now I come to think about it, maybe she is just hyperfocusing on the tv?

I do it all the time. I tune out, and just go somewhere else for a bit. I'm conscious, aware of my surroundings, but I'm just thinking. A lot of ADDers do it. Generally, we call itr "zoning out". It's a kind of hyperfocus. I'm not sure why adders do it, but a lot of us do.

Now, another thing is, some people can be fascinated by certain objects. Sometimes things that have moving parts or are spinning objects. This is different. It is a little OCDish and maybe a little autistic, but a lot of people do it.

It is always an object "? It is just a certain kind of object ? Or are you just zoning out ?

ME :D


Hi all. As you can see, I'm a 'newb,' having just discovered this forum.

Was officially diagnosed last month, and have gotten into a phase where I'm really tryin to understand which parts of my behaviors are ADHD related so I can work around or with them.

One of them that I just realizes may or may not be ADHD related are my 'staring fits.' (a term coined by my grandmother when I was very young.') Essentially, a 'staring fit' is when I get locked into staring at something. IT's not any one thing in particular. IT can be a coin, table edge...rarely is it a person or animal. Generally something that is stationary.

But I get locked into staring, and I can hear things going on around me...people speak directly to me...sometimes even repeat my name...but for about 30 seconds or so, I just cannot break my focus on whatever object. I have never noticed it happening while I drive, so that's a relief, but I suspect, since it's stationary objects, the car movement would prevent my gaze from getting locked.) My fiance says it's like I leave my body...I"m simplly 'not there.'

Is this an ADHD symptom? If so, is it something I just have to contend with as a 'quirk.' It has never seemed particularly problematic or dangerous, just very strange to those around me, and can be embarrasing if I'm in a work meeting or something and zone out.

I meet with my Med Dr. in a month and he asked me to keep track of symptoms I am/become aware of.

I do it! All the time!

I do it after drinking a large coffee... just sit and stare without blinking.... not really thinking... just staring, and CANT take my eyes away.

I did it when my Ritalin was first starting to hit me.

I do it as it wears off

I do it when I am sleepy

When I am watching t.v sometimes.

When I am bored.

My husband used to do that - just stare at a blank wall or something for a very long time. He did it pre-medication, and while on Adderall. But the psychiatrist said that Concerta sometimes elimated that, so he changed the prescription and it went away. I don't think my husband has done that even once while on Concerta.

So it seems it may be ADHD-related for some people.

"It is always an object "? It is just a certain kind of object ? Or are you just zoning out ?"

It isn't a particular kind of object. And there's really no rhyme or reason as to when I do it (i.e., stressed out/bored, etc.) Like last night, my fiance and I were watching TV, and he tried to talk to me, I could hear it, I knew he was there, but I zoned out on a ceramic coaster on the coffee table. He began repeating my name, waved his hand in front of my face...but I was fixed on the coaster.

Although we were watching Flavor of Love, and perhaps it was just a defense mechanism responding to watching a middle aged man wearing a giant clock around his neck and a viking hat being fought over by particularly desparate women? heh.

I do that! and I gotta tell you I kinda like it. Usually I'm lost in thought and just staring at something. I can hear everything, and sometimes even respond but when I 'come back' won't really have a clue what I said. however I usually have some 'brain blast' or sudden realization while I was 'cruising around in the ether'. When I come back I apologize make a joke, 'wow, space is lovely this time of year' but either way it's like taking a smoke break without having to clockout.

I do this a lot too. I get asked all the time what I'm staring at, or people think I'm staring at them and I don't actually see them! :( :o It can happen when I'm really in to something, or when really bored.

That's your mind entering a state of trance. Happens many times a day for most people, they just don't notice. You may be in a more extreme state than some others. Same thing as being hypnotized, actually.

I notice sometimes I like to do that when I'm tired, or mentally pooped, and staring blankly, tranceing, at something is much easier than whatever I'm supposed to be doing at that time. I really hate it.

for some reason I can do it with ease when lookin at my shoe laces.. but other times it just happens

Ya know what I hate?? :(

I hate it when someone waves there hand in front of my face when I get deep into one of my staring trances. :eek:

My mother called it day dreaming! I like that description because it feels almost as if they are startling me awake when they wave their hands in front of my face.

Call it what you like, a trance, day dreaming, or a staring fit, it feels exceptionally good whatever it is! :)

Peace! :)

Staring fits-I always thought I was contemplating something rather interesting or important. Like the repeat of the tile pattern on the floor of the women's restroom, the crack pattern in the crumbling concrete, my thoughts about the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds, how what I just read relates to what I read in another book a few hours ago.

Now I know it is called Staring Fits! I always called it Deep In Thought! :D I didn't read this thread until now-thinking it was something totally different! A rainman kind of thing, but without the toothpicks.

RADD

I think you hit the nail right on the head RADDmom. My mom said that when I was a kid I seemd to be able to go into a world of my own.

ME :D