Anyone else feel awful after hyperfocusing?
Anyone else feel awful after hyperfocusing?
Hi all.
I'll try and be succinct but as I'm sure you all realize that's often easier said than done.
I don't feel like I ever hear my fellow ADHDers discuss how negative an experience hyperfocusing can be.
First off, I never feel like I'm 'enjoying' myself when I hyperfocus. It feels a lot like I'm dreaming. Time moves weirdly, all my senses go askew, and it never feels like I'm in-control.
Then when the focus fades for whatever reason, I feel exhausted. I usually have a headache from the hours of intent concentration. Oftentimes I haven't eaten, had a drink or used the toilet. As I start to come out of it I often feel quite confused and borderline hungover.
It gives me such an existential crisis. An activity is either so boring I can't summon myself to engage with it or it's so absolutely engrossing that it feels like the activity is partaking of me rather than the reverse.
And when I come out of it, to an extent I do feel as if I've been consumed. I don't feel happy or satisfied or fulfilled. I feel tired, confused and uncomfortable.
Can anyone relate? Does anyone have any advice?
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I haven't had any super long hyperfocus sessions, but I do feel somewhat disoriented when I come back. I feel like it has been better since I started my medication, or I haven't done anything that hyperfocus activated for lately xD
My biggest issue is starting with things on my to do-list, especially if they have been there a long time.
Earlier this year I started listening to Hacking your ADHD and tried a few tips/tools he brought up and it's easier when I keep following them, I usually listen in the car in the morning and when I hear things that I think would help me I'm out of luck because it's usually gone by the time I get out of the car, sometimes I remember to write a small reminder to check it out later.
Sorry if there are any mistakes, English isn't my first language.