The relations between hyperfocus and similar attentional states, adult ADHD symptoms, and affective dysfunction

Individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes experience "hyperfocus", which is characterized by extended moments of deep focus that are difficult to terminate. However, it is unclear whether hyperfocus is uniquely linked to the attention-dysfunction aspects of ADHD even when controlling for the potential contribution of comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety and difficulties in regulating negative and positive emotions. To examine (1) the relations between hyperfocus and related attentional states (flow, perseveration, and ADHD symptoms of inattention); (2) the relations between hyperfocus and emotion dysregulation; (3) the relations between ADHD symptoms and affective dysfunction (emotion dysregulation, depression, and anxiety); and (4) the unique contributions of ADHD symptoms and several measures of affective dysfunction when predicting hyperfocus. Self-report measures of hyperfocus, flow, perseveration, and emotion dysregulation (negative and positive) and symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety were collected online from 529 Canadian undergraduate participants. Increased hyperfocus was related to higher ADHD symptoms, perseveration, emotion dysregulation (negative and positive), depression, and anxiety, but inconsistently with flow. In regression analyses, hyperfocus scores were uniquely predicted by emotion dysregulation and ADHD symptoms; neither depression nor anxiety symptoms were unique predictors. Hyperfocus appears to be a state of deep concentration that is outside of a person's control. It can involve concurrent (mainly positive) emotion dysregulation, and is experienced more (or more acutely) by individuals higher in ADHD symptoms of inattention, irrespective of comorbid depression or anxiety symptoms.