I see a lot of debate online about what constitutes a hyperfixation, what the true definition is, and whether it’s proven to be linked to ADHD or not. I think these conversations are valid, and likely important – but for today I’m just using the term in the way it’s used in my circles. Being completely preoccupied with, distracted by, and feeling deeply about an idea, a subject, or an activity. Like, to the exclusion of everything else. Generally not strictly by choice, either.

This post is going to be about how I experience hyperfixations in my own life and headspace, not about universally defining them. If you experience them differently I’m not here to argue!

When I was younger, and before I was diagnosed, I knew sometimes I’d develop an interest that struck others as way out of proportion. Sometimes I thought I was weird. Sometimes I thought everyone else was weird for not seeing what I saw in the topic. Mostly I was hesitant to talk about my hyperfixations (I did not know that word then) because I realized I always came off as “too much,” when I did.