This would include doing long division or reading a book that was not enjoyable. People with ADHD tend to have a hard time with anything that requires sustained mental effort. The tasks at the center of hyperfocus are different than many tasks people with ADHD struggle with. Hyperfocus is a common, but generally misunderstood, aspect of ADHD. You have seen your loved one sit for hours engaging in a task - there is no way they have ADHD.

You may find yourself doubting information from teachers, doctors or therapists about the child (or adult) in your life they claim shows signs of ADHD. You may be wondering how someone with ADHD can exhibit something that opposes the very definition of the disorder they have. During the hyperfocus, it will be challenging to engage with the person or distract them from their task. In some cases, this period can last for several hours of unbroken focus. Hyperfocus is being able to focus on one task for an extended period.

Even though the attention, focus and concentration can be poor in someone with ADHD, there is also a chance of hyperfocus. What you might not know is there is a flipside to this experience. This is the commonly understood inattentive aspect of ADHD. You see someone constantly moving between topics, someone who can’t concentrate - a person unable to accomplish anything because of their poor attention. When you think of someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you likely think of someone who can’t focus on any subject for any period.