> It's somewhat self-contradictory though. When you look closer at these patients with "attention deficit", you find that a high number of them are capable of hyperfocus. There's almost always something that deeply engages them. For some it's computers, for others it's car engines, there's always something. You find that all these people with "attention deficit" can suddenly display the ability to pay attention to specific things for ten hours straight.
The problem is that even that hyperfocusing is not always helpful. Focusing on something for 10 hours straight while ignoring everything else - obligations, one's body's needs, etc - is not very much healthier than not being able to stay focused.
(Not that I disagree with much of what you're saying; just feel it's necessary to point out, as many people do think the hyperfixating on things is strictly an advantage)
I'd even argue that it's predominantly a negative experience outside of the social media circles that often glorify it.
In my experience it often creates an unbearable internal conflict where you're acutely aware that you really need (or want) to do something else, but you find it impossible to set your current task aside.
I would end up in situations where I'm not enjoying the hyperfocus activity because I'm simultaneously feeling guilty over not doing the more important thing, and there's would be nothing I can do about it. I could try to switch tasks but my mind would wander back, I would make more mistakes, if I had to talk to someone then I wouldn't be present and alert in the conversation, and would suffer even more negative consequences because of that.
The problem is that even that hyperfocusing is not always helpful. Focusing on something for 10 hours straight while ignoring everything else - obligations, one's body's needs, etc - is not very much healthier than not being able to stay focused.
(Not that I disagree with much of what you're saying; just feel it's necessary to point out, as many people do think the hyperfixating on things is strictly an advantage)