Hard time focusing and/or concentrating?

[aimeepoo]

The older I get I feel as if I have the absolute worst time focusing or concentrating on tasks. I am curious how many of you have this issue as well? I used to love to crochet but can not concentrate on doing so anymore. I can not even sit down and watch a movie because I feel that I need to get up and do something else. I feel that I just can not relax and it really bothers me. Some would say attention deficit disorder but is that even possible being as I'm 36 and this just seemingly started within the past few years?

 

[pwarbi]

When a doctor diagnoses depression, one of the key questions they ask is if you have trouble concentrating, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you are depressed because of it. I think as we get older, w naturally lose interest in a lot of things that in the past we have enjoyed doing and I think it's just a sign of growing up. If you lose interest in everything then it could be an underlying issue that needs addressing, but when I have trouble concentrating on a specific thing, I just stop doing it altogether for a period of time and do other things. Eventually my interest slowly comes back then on it's own, and if it doesn't then just move on to something else.

 

[fuzyon]

It's definitely a problem of mine, especially when I have to listen or pay attention to something. It's easier for me to be focused if I'm doing things that are interactive and make me active, otherwise I would just do something else because I can't devote my attention. I used to chalk it up to being creative and my mind being alert, but I think it's an anxiety issue in hindsight.

 

[aimeepoo]

When a doctor diagnoses depression' date=' one of the key questions they ask is if you have trouble concentrating, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you are depressed because of it. I think as we get older, w naturally lose interest in a lot of things that in the past we have enjoyed doing and I think it's just a sign of growing up. If you lose interest in everything then it could be an underlying issue that needs addressing, but when I have trouble concentrating on a specific thing, I just stop doing it altogether for a period of time and do other things. Eventually my interest slowly comes back then on it's own, and if it doesn't then just move on to something else.[/quote']
Yes very true. It isn't that I do not want to do the crocheting anymore or that I do not want to watch a movie though. It is just that I can't do so because I drift off in my thoughts or think of something else. It is really frustrating to say the least.

 

[Robilas]

I'm still pretty young but I am already having some troubles focusing. I know that it depends on my anxiety because when I get too anxious I can't really do normal tasks or chores, let alone studying or working. I also tried to take some medications to resolve the issue but they only made things works, since loss of focus is a common side effect. The best thing to do is to try to stay as calm as possible while waiting for the bad days to pass.

 

[lexinonomous]

I have a terrible problem with focusing on tasks. I have always struggled with concentrating throughout school, but I assumed it was due to boredom. Nowadays, I have a hard time focusing on the things I am choosing to do. I seem to lose my train of thought in the middle of a task and simply give up. I have even experienced this while coloring one of my adult coloring books. It's irritating to say the least. Sometimes I will try grounding myself in an attempt to gain my concentration back, but majority of the time it's lost and doesn't make it's way back. My best suggestion is to push yourself through what you're working on and try your best to remain concentrated. Sadly, this is the simplest way to figure things out.

 

[kgord]

Yes, I think I have an ADD/ anxiety combo, I can not stay focused on a task, especially one that is tedious or does not interest me. Even when I know I should or it is in my best interest, it just seems beyond me sometimes. I did take ritalin for a brief period of time and it was no better, but I literally took a couple of doses, and in order for it to be effective, I think you need to be on it for at least a week. I will admit my personality type may have something to do with it as well.

 

[ricemaster214]

It could be possible that you may have attention deficit disorder, but you'd have to look into your childhood past and examine your behavior. It's pretty rare for adults to even develop ADD. Perhaps you should try doing some tasks that require a lot of concentration.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

As far as I know, having that disorder is possible at that age, you would be surprised to know how many adults live with this condition.


And, I do. I am extremely distracted, especially when I'm feeling that I'm not being productive in some way... As you've said, it's also pretty difficult for me to really just sit down and try to relax, and when I try to concentrate in something important, most of the time my mind just leaves the situation and I end up thinking about really ridiculous things, it's extremely frustrating for me.

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

This is happening to me more often in the coming weeks as my depression has gotten a bit worse. If something is really bothering me and won't lay off my mind even after I try to push it away I find it hard to concentrate or get simple things done from checking the mail, chores to showering. Thankfully it comes and goes but lately it has been bad. Even when I tried to start reading again I ended up sitting the book down and never opening it... Sometimes I may even decide I want to play a game and I cant so I just shut the game down completely and don't save it or anything. I am not sure for me if this is an underlying issue or all related to when I am depressed.

 

[Alex]

If I'm anxious I can't concentrate on anything even reading or eating so I'm pretty useless. What I try to do is find something to do that I can't get wrong or isn't dangerous like tidying up a bookcase or the cutlery drawer so I don't feel as if I'm not doing anything. The worse thing is doing some online banking or shopping and making errors. That's happened to me, so I won't do that again, or trying to write emails.


I think one way to look at it is to accept it's not a wise time to do important things and to find a way to refocus. Doing very simple tasks is a way that helps me, and then gradually I can concentrate again later.

 

[aimeepoo]

Thank you all for the replies. Wow most of you have this issue which leads me to believe this is something to do with anxiety and/or depression. The mind is a mysterious thing. Maybe it is the way the mind does in order to try to keep anxiety at bay?

 

[NormaD]

Meditation has always worked for me. I meditate for 15 minutes every morning before I get out of bed. But whenever I feel like I can't focus, I put on one of my meditation tracks and it helps me to relax and focus.

 

[kelden]

Proscrastination also makes focusing or concentration harder to achieve. Caused probably by having the somewhat common misguided idea of meeting an ideal condition first before actually perform the task (the kitchen is not clean enough, I feel a bit hungry, I need to go bathroom first etc.), and even when is met, you feel like is not a suitable time to do it and leave it for later. This habit will repeat the next day and the other next... And the task is not done until you really have the urgency to


finish it.

 

[justsayyes]

This is me in a nutshell. I'm having trouble getting things done because my heart and mind isn't into whatever I'm doing, i feel like i should so something else, something more productive. It's very frustrating.

 

[aimeepoo]

It is very frustrating to say the least. I do not recall ever being this unfocused. I also tend to put things off. I guess you could say procrastination is what it is but it is just that I can not focus on most tasks. I will have to try meditation. I'm sure there are some youtube videos that can show me a good meditation routine.

 

[Casm1ra]

Yes, so much so that it's become worrisome. It's really difficult for me to put all my attention into one thing, it's almost as if I get bored or tired from it. Even if it's something I know will be good for me, I don't fully commit to it because something else will quickly catch my eye. I'm not sure if that's what you meant exactly, but it is certainly difficult for me to focus and it's become apparent to others around me as well.


Despite knowing how dangerous it is, I have trouble concentrating while driving. Twenty minutes in, and I'm zoning out or having a hard time focusing on the road. Another example is being unable to keep up with conversations. I will genuinely be interested in what the other person is saying, but suddenly lose focus without noticing because I'm suddenly overcome by so many thoughts.


Perhaps it really does come down to anxiety.

 

[aimeepoo]

Yes, so much so that it's become worrisome. It's really difficult for me to put all my attention into one thing, it's almost as if I get bored or tired from it. Even if it's something I know will be good for me, I don't fully commit to it because something else will quickly catch my eye. I'm not sure if that's what you meant exactly, but it is certainly difficult for me to focus and it's become apparent to others around me as well.
Despite knowing how dangerous it is, I have trouble concentrating while driving. Twenty minutes in, and I'm zoning out or having a hard time focusing on the road. Another example is being unable to keep up with conversations. I will genuinely be interested in what the other person is saying, but suddenly lose focus without noticing because I'm suddenly overcome by so many thoughts.


Perhaps it really does come down to anxiety.

Yes, you are spot on and this is exactly my problem as well. I also find myself unintentionally interrupting others or speaking over others and I'm not a rude person at all..I always apologize but totally end up doing it again. I do believe this is something related to anxiety. It has to be.

 

[foolsgold]

This is me as well. I used to tell people that I have a very short attention span but that's probably not true. I found that I'm able to focus on something if I find the reason or motivation why I'm doing it in the first place. Even if that means just getting myself to relax or enjoy myself. I think as adults we have this idea that everything needs to be done for a reason and when you don't apply this to your other activities, you just feel like you're wasting your energy, time, or resources - mostly because your heart isn't into it. So say I want to read a book, I do it not because I want to cross it off my list or pass time, but because I want to be a more thoughtful, well-rounded reader. This way I get to appreciate the activity more and really involve myself into it.

 

[janemariesayed]

My focus is really bad because of my depression and anxiety. I also have brain fog because of the long term childhood trauma I went through. What you said @aimeepoo about interrupting others, I do that as well so it may well be due to nervousness and anxiety.