Does anyone else get hyperfixations when stressed?

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Usually it will be something that’s already a special interest. I’ll start thinking about it pretty much 24/7. Often so much it’s not even pleasant for me. Then it crashes. I guess this does happen when I’m stressed. This is pretty annoying for me.

Yes! I'm in a stressful situation right now with a sick pet and hyperfocusing on videos about body language has been a distraction for me.

I'm not sure, but I get super, super focused when I get anxious. But, I wouldn't consider it to be a hyperfixation as I"m just super focused on whatever I'm doing at the given moment. I think it's probably related and probably also a defense mechanism.

After a fraught outing I usually get straight onto my computer and either mess about on the Web or develop some computer-based project or other. It seems to be my way of decompressing.

I do tend to get really stuck on an interest when I'm stressed and spend all my free time on that rather than switching back and forth a bit like I normally can. It's always something I've already been doing a lot of, and usually whichever special interest I've been into the most at the time anyway.

It doesn't always end up crashing for me, but when it does, I end up feeling aimless for a few days or a week.

I tend to hyperfixate on Germany when I get stressed or worn out. It doesn't cause me distress though. It soothes me.

I guess that’s me. My hyperfixation is still there, but it’s calming down now. Now I can switch more easily to my other regular interests and special interests.

I guess my hyperfixations soothe me to some extent. Sometimes I keep thinking about it past the point of it being enjoyable. I also get a bit of OCD traits showing up sometimes. One way I know it’s a hyperfixation is when it takes me away from my other interests. Even special interests.

I’d say what tends to soothe me the most is special interests that aren’t hyperfixations. Right now that’s studying Finnish. Sometimes I get somewhat hyperfixated and end up studying over 100 words or studying grammar for several hours in a row. Usually that ends up crashing. At least I have a normal study routine that doesn’t 100% rely on hyperfixations. Since I have more dominant special interests than Finnish, it’s fairly easy for me not to talk about Finnish too much. I guess it’s a good “quirky hobby” to mention. I can genuinely say I like it, but also not act too obsessed.