Overfocused ADHD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, And More

Have you ever heard about overfocused ADHD? Well, it’s one of the seven types of ADHD which is generally caused by argumentativeness, constant worrying, and hyperfocus. In some cases, people struggling with an overfocused type of ADHD also experience inflexibility, obsession over tasks, or inability to adapt between tasks.

Overfocus ADHD is not officially recognized as a type of ADHD by the American Psychiatric Association. However, it still holds its importance due to the similarity of symptoms with other common mental health illnesses and other types of ADHD.

In this blog, we will be understanding what is overfocused ADHD, its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. So, let’s get started! 

What is Overfocused ADHD?

Over Focused ADHD is a type of ADHD characterized by frequent dysregulation in the brain’s limbic system (specifically the anterior cingulate gyrus). Over Focused ADHD makes it difficult to switch or adapt between tasks.

Argumentativeness, constant worrying, and hyperfocus are some of the common symptoms of overfocused ADHD. 

Symptoms of Over Focused ADHD

The symptoms of overfocused ADHD differ in adults and children. Additionally, the hyperfocus side of ADHD might have different and negative impacts on relationships as this trait can go to its extreme level.

Someone struggling with overfocused ADHD might also find themselves diving deep into a task and then facing challenges while trying to do different things or completely new things. 

Below listed are some of the common symptoms of overfocused ADHD in adults:  

• Argumentative 
• Excessive worrying 
• Feeling stuck  
• Inability to tackle tasks 
• Inflexibility especially while shifting focus 
• Inattentive behavior 
• High resistance 
• Missing deadlines 
• Negative thinking  
• Obsession or compulsion 
• Rigid thinking 

Below listed are some of the common symptoms of overfocused ADHD in kids:  

Commonly stubbornness and irritability are seen in overfocused ADHD in kids, however, in some cases, you might also find obsession or constantly arguing personality towards a specific task or hobby. 

• Constantly misses schedule or routines 
• Constantly throws tantrums 
• Excessive captivation in a task, hobby, or a game
• Highly emotional personality 
• Holds powerful grudges even for minor things 
• Inability to handle or complete some tasks 
• Irritability especially when corrected 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Overfocused ADHD 

The signs of over focused ADHD are quite similar to other mental health problems and in-real they don’t always show up as a disorder. If you think you or your child might be struggling with overfocused ADHD or any other type of ADHD, the first step to take is to connect with an experienced and certified mental health professional to seek proper diagnosis and treatment. 

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In order to get diagnosed with overfocused ADHD or any other type of ADHD, it’s important to meet the following criteria according to the DSM-5. 

• The symptoms must be impacting activity levels at work, school, or home
• The symptoms must be present for more than 6 months

Coming forth to the treatment process, different treatment methods are used to treat or manage overfocused ADHD in adults and kids such as dietary changes, psychotherapy, and stimulant medications. 

Dietary Modifications 

Dietary modifications are not a primary solution for treating overfocused ADHD but they are actually done to cure some specific symptoms. For a proper diet plan, you can connect with a registered dietitian in your area or at your local hospital. Below listed are some of the dietary modifications prescribed by a dietitian: 

• Minimized sugar intake 
• Avoided food additives, flavors, and colors 
• Avoided preservatives 
• Consumption of more Omega-3 acid 
• Supplementation of minerals and vitamins 

Medications 

Generally, stimulants are prescribed to treat overfocused ADHD. Some of the common examples of stimulants are Adderall and Ritalin. 

Psychotherapy 

Psychotherapy is one of the effective treatments for overfocused ADHD as it helps in providing tailored support and advice, improves communication skills, helps in improving the sleep cycle, and more. There are several types of psychotherapy for treating overfocused ADHD or other types of ADHD, such as: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Behavioral therapy 
• Mindfulness-based therapy 
• Family therapy  
• Group therapy  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is overfocused ADHD?

Over Focused ADHD is one of the subtypes of ADHD which is caused by frequent dysregulation of the brain’s limbic system. Overfocused type of ADHD makes it difficult for people to shift their attention. 

Can ADHD cause hyperfocus?

Some of the common symptoms of overfocus ADHD are constant worrying, hyperfocus, and argumentativeness. So, yes, ADHD can also cause hyperfocus. Hyperfocus in ADHD can cause people to shift their attention from things that interest them. Hyperfocus in ADHD usually impacts adults mostly. 

Can overfocused ADHD be misdiagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

During the episodes of ADHD, some people exhibit hyperactivity and some people exhibit overfocused traits. So, yes, ADHD in some cases gets misdiagnosed as OCD because of the similarity of symptoms. 4.

What are the impacts of over focused ADHD?

One of the negative impacts of over focused ADHD is the difficulty in keeping schedules which keeps on leading to challenges related to work or study demands. Over Focused ADHD may also destroy meaningful relationships at home, work, or school. 

I hope this blog helps you understand what is overfocusing on ADHD and its treatment. For more such content, connect with us through all social media platforms. 

Thanks for reading!