People with ADD seem to have a big problem with focusing and staying on task. They are easily distracted and this causes a massive loss in productivity. I can very much relate to that, as I have been diagnosed with adult ADD-PI. I have 90% of the symptoms that are usually associated with the illness. Everyday life is hard and without medication would be absolute hell.
Yet, I seem to have a phenomenal ability to concentrate for very long periods. This could mean 16-20 (up to 36) hours of constant concentration. Productivity tends to drop a little in the end, but still, I am highly functional for the whole period. This summer I worked on a project for two months and at least 16 hours daily. This isn't caused by my medication (bupropion) since I have had this ability for my whole life and I just recently started taking the drug. One would think this is a good thing and why would I even write about this? The thing is, this is absolutely destroying my life. During the concentration period I forget to eat, drink, etc. I'm skinny because I forget to eat!
Since I make my living with computers, this means I just stare at the computer screen for 20 continous hours. This is very damaging to my cardiovascular health, eyes, posture and so on. But I can't fight it - if I get in the flow, I can't get out till it's 7 AM. Sometimes I find an interesting research subject and can't get to sleep until I've read all the possible literature on the subject.
Maybe a compulsive tendency? Yet I have no problems with OCD. This is not hypomania nor mania. I don't get increased mood. Actually I feel quite terrible. But I still keep going. It happens whether I like the task I'm working on or not. This doesn't happen every day, only occasionally. Most of the time I'm still an unproductive trainwreck.
Am I the only one? Are the ADD sufferers out there that experience the same kind of occasional unhuman superfocus?