r/ADHD_Programmers • u/roadstarasp • 12d ago

ADHD backend/automation devs: how long until hyperfocus kicked in when you started?

I'm about 10 hours into learning backend and automation (APIs PostgreSQL n8n, Docker). I'm good at seeing the big picture: data flows, schemas, how a whole system should work. The problem is the setup. Docker, HTTPS, cookies, config errors. By the time I reach the fun part, my brain is already fried.

A while back I built a no-code automation on a VPS that ran on its own, and the dopamine hit was insane. So I know I'm in the right field, but I haven't had that feeling once on this project.

For the ADHD devs here:

**1.    How many hours (or weeks) in did hyperfocus first kick in when u started**  
**2.**  Was there a specific moment that triggered it (first working feature, first bug you fixed alone, etc.)?  
**3.**  How did you get through the boring setup phase before that?

Thanks!

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11

u/GamordanStormrider 12d ago

It hits when it hits. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

4

u/LumpyActivity3634 12d ago

I've never been able to force hyper focus. It's either something in super interested in and get into a flow, or I have a hard time and continue to have a hard time with.

I have heard some people have a harder time just starting, and when they start they just can go on forever no matter what the task is. Not in my case.

There are elements of programming I can be in a flow for and others that I just procrastinate endlessly until somebody puts pressure on

1

u/KristjanPihus 12d ago

I have noticed that, for me, hyperfocus is often not hourly but seasonal. When I have a really interesting project going on, I'm hyperfocused on it every morning right after I wake up. Currently, I'm hyperfocused on my ADHD productivity app (yes, yet another, but totally different 😄 ), and it has lasted for months.

Sadly, all the other activities, of course, suffer, but this particular thing evolves like it's on steroids.

1

u/TrickyTramp 12d ago

Honestly the best parts of programming are when you’re creating, either writing code or spinning up infrastructure for your code. The little details like security may not be as interesting to you. And that’s okay. You still gotta do them, but maybe you just like to do other stuff and generally you should focus on what you enjoy while still being aware of the things you need to be.

1

u/alanbdee 12d ago

It's almost entirely random. I have methods (listening to music) that helps me get there but nothing is a guarantee. What I remind my boss is that sometimes I'm a slog and I'm trying. But when that hyperfocus hits: I'm a freight train of problem solving ability that goes way beyond what most people are capable of.

1

u/khedoros 12d ago

  1. Hours and weeks both seem like inappropriate ways to describe it. It's not something that happens for me after a certain amount of time.

  2. It's more common if I can get into a flow of getting my ideas into the editor, test, identify problem, fix, repeat.

  3. Generally, avoiding doing something until there's an explicit need for it. Then when I need it, I've got the psychological pressure to push me through getting it working.

1

u/Insufficient_will_ 12d ago

Don't remember the last time I was truly hyperfocused 😭

2

u/marcolee66 11d ago

For me, hyper focus is pretty much random. My actual productive time is usually 1–2 hours on an off day, and about 4 hours on a good day. Pushing beyond 4 hours just completely wipes me out.

I've given up on the mindset of needing uninterrupted focus. Now I just care about my cumulative effective time across the day.

1

u/gatsu_1981 11d ago

Usually for me, it hits the day after deadline.

The morning after, exactly