Parents are often concerned about their children. They worry about them constantly and want nothing more than to keep them safe. It’s not uncommon for parents to watch their children like a hawk, but some parents go too far. For example, a mother may be overly concerned that her daughter is prone to getting sick, or her son will choke on food if he isn’t watched closely. This is called hyperfixation. Hyperfixation is when a parent focuses on one of the child’s weaknesses and worries about it constantly. It’s important to understand how hyperfixation can affect your child and what you can do about it. Keep reading for more information on this disorder and the different ways you can help your child today!
What is Hyperfixation?
Hyperfixation is a behavioural disorder that causes a parent to become overly focused on the weaknesses of their child. It’s a condition found in children who have been adopted or have special needs.
Typically, hyperfixation starts when parents are first aware of their child’s abilities and disabilities. For example, if a child has ADHD or OCD, the parents may be preoccupied with those conditions. They may fixate on the idea that the child will have difficulties with school or other social interactions because of these conditions.
In time, hyperfixation can negatively impact the parent-child relationship as the parent becomes overprotective and overbearing. The child will feel frustrated and unloved as they always feel under inspection and can’t do anything right.
How Can You Identify Hyperfixation in Your Child?
Hyperfixation can be difficult to identify at first. One of the main signs is that a parent may spend more time worrying about their child’s weaknesses than praising them for their strengths. In addition, hyper-fixated parents often don’t understand that they don’t need to protect their children from every possible danger in life.
One of the ways you can identify hyperfixation in your child is by looking at how relationships are formed between the parent and child. For example, if your child doesn’t want to play with other kids because they’re too scared to go near them, this could be a sign of hyperfixation. A hyper-fixated parent will also want to be with their children at all times and never leave them unattended.
The Impact of Hyperfixation on Your Child
Every parent worries about their child. They may worry that they’ll get hurt or won’t do well in school. Hyperfixation is a more extreme form of parental worry, where parents constantly think about one of their children’s weaknesses and how it will affect them.
If you have hyperfixation on your child, you may even see your child as weaker than other kids. You may feel like your parenting skills are under scrutiny because you don’t want to “lose” your child to something bad happening.
There are many negative effects of hyperfixation on children. First, it affects them by making them feel vulnerable and less confident in themselves. When a parent constantly worries about one trait, the child begins to assume that their weakness is worse than others. This can lead to low self-esteem issues for the child. The parent constantly noticing the flaw will cause the child to fixate on this same flaw, which can lead to depression for the child down the road.
What Can You Do About Hyperfixation?
The best way to handle hyperfixation is to talk with your child. Please explain why you are worried and how you feel about their safety. Let them know that it’s vital to be careful and explain that you want them to have fun.
Another way is to keep a journal of your child’s behaviour. This could help you identify patterns in their hyperfixation that may warrant further investigation. It can also help by giving you an outlet for your own emotions and thoughts about the situation.
If the Hyperfixation problem continues, it may be time to consult a professional therapist or psychologist for help. Your child should never have to go through this alone!
Conclusion
Hyperfixation can be a tough disorder for both parents and their children. It’s vital to take the time to understand the disorder and how it might be impacting your child. Once you have done that, you can start figuring out what you can do to help alleviate your child’s symptoms and get back to the activities they love.
