How do you deal with hyperfocus?

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At times when I’ve required hyperfocus, but have felt unable to settle down and focus on what I’ve needed to do, I’ve relied on coffee to get me in that mode. Once in that mode, it’s like I can’t stop. I have felt ADD-like at times, but it’s always come down to coffee or just accepting that today’s not the day for focussing on a particular thing.

You're lucky to have a bit of control.
I take ADHD stimulants but they haven't helped my EF.
The hyperfocus is stronger (not always a good thing).
The scatterbrain is also more pronounced (more energy to think 100 directions).

The only help they seem to offer is that I'm not tired all the time.
When I don't take them I'm so tired I can barely breathe.
I can't believe I lived my whole life with that crushing fatigue.

I've heard caffeine helps people focus.
I drink a lot of tea and it relaxes me a bit, but not enough to stop my crazy brain.

How long were you suffering with all that fatigue before finally getting some relief via the meds? Can’t believe how much you’ve suffered!

I’ve given up coffee now, as well as any soda(used to love Pepsi Max) as I no longer find myself needing to force myself into that mode thankfully. I too drink lots of tea!

Do/did you also find it impossible to switch your brain off at night, after studies/work etc?

Uhh .... 52 years??
It feels like I'm hit by an avalanche when I don't take them.

My brain doesn't switch off, ever.
I've needed prescription sedatives every night for about ten years.
Even then, I only manage about 4 hours sleep per night.
It's usually about 5 am to 9 am.

My mind is active the whole time I'm asleep.
I read and write books while asleep.

Woah! That’s extreme! I read your score was pretty similar to mine on the online autism tests … very high!

The ADHD sounds like a nightmare! I now have extreme fatigue & sleep issues, but not as you describe.

I’m so sorry that you are so affected by it! To have the mind THAT active, sounds like a form of torture! To have not known what was going on for all those years and to finally have at least some relief from the fatigue itself, must have been such a relief! It’s a very cruel thing! You are genuinely pretty remarkable to be dealing with all this!

Thanks!
You seem quite remarkable too, with all you've been through.

I had no idea I had ADHD because of the stereotype.
I thought it meant I had to be running in circles.
I've never been physically hyper (apart from BFRB and stimming like a madman.)
It's just my mind that won't shut up or rest.

PTSD made it much worse but my mind was supercharged even before trauma.

I hope you get a good sleep tonight!

Thanks Is. I hope you manage to sleep well or at least as well as you possibly can, tonight too.

Could my autistic YouTube video help?