I Can’t Seem to Focus Anymore. Is Something Wrong with Me?
Dear Out of Focus,
That sounds very frustrating. It also sounds like it might be causing you some anxiety, which might be perpetuating the attentional issues you are experiencing. Does this ring true? If so, next time you feel this happening you might want to try taking a few deep breaths, direct your focus to your breathing and then gently remind yourself to focus on the task at hand.
I find myself wondering if your mind is often going to the same thing when it wanders. We all go through challenging times in life that can make it difficult to focus on what we are trying to do in the present moment. For example, if you’ve recently experienced the loss of a relationship, you may find your mind wandering to that person, to memories of time spent together, to sadness about an unknown future, to the fear of loneliness.
If, however, this issue seems to have no connection to a recent loss or transition in your life, I might wonder if you are feeling bored or restless with where you are in your life right now. Sometimes a difficulty focusing can be an indicator that it is time to shake things up a bit.
It might be helpful to you to partner with a therapist to try to sort through some of these things and see if you can develop an understanding of how this came to be a part of your life. If you do choose to meet with a therapist, it might be a good idea to try to find someone who has some expertise in attentional issues. While it is possible that the issues you are describing are a natural part of some sort of a transition in your life or an indicator that a change is needed, it is also possible that something else is going on. Perhaps there is an undiagnosed attentional issue that could be identified and worked on or treated. A therapist with expertise in attentional issues will be able to help you distinguish between these possibilities and help you move to a place of greater peace and focus.
If you haven’t done so already, I also recommend seeing a doctor to rule out any possible medical causes.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Sarah Noel
- 22 comments
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Johnny
November 14th, 2014 at 1:53 PMI frequently feel this way but I find that if I can take a little down time for me, and then that really helps me get my mind refocused and on the task at hand. We might not be able to do this all the time but at least a few times a week try to dedicate to things that you enjoy, and not those things that you feel like you have to do. If you can do this, it might get you to a better place mentally so that your focus will be even sharper and more in tune with the things that need to be accomplished.
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natasha
November 16th, 2014 at 5:38 AMcould be depression… there are numerous ways that this can manifest itself.. think that I would have it checked out
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caree
November 17th, 2014 at 3:58 AMPerhaps this is something that you have always lived with but have in the past been able to manage it a little bit better than what you are feeling that you are able to do right now. That’s understandable, there could be things going on beneath the surface that you haven’t dealt with or that maybe you don’t even understand right now. I think that it is clear that you recognize that there is something a little unusual going on with you right now and that you may need some help with that so I know that this alone is a great first step.
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Layla T.
November 20th, 2014 at 3:48 PMIt would be great if you could work on finding something that really piqued your interest, that you may be more likely to focus on and that could help to get you going back in the right direction.
I know that it may sound simplistic but sometimes it can be all about finding that one thing that can bring you joy again in your life. You do have to be willing to work on discovering what that thing may be, but I think that if you could then you would find that there is a little more motivation and direction there than you thought.
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Sarah
January 11th, 2016 at 11:49 AMI think that you should try taking some time for yourself to figure out what’s bugging you. This is however, in many cases, easier said then done. Talking to a loved one about things could also help. I don’t think it’s healthy to live like this. I have the same problem, so I can relate. Best of luck to ya!
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nygrump
March 24th, 2016 at 8:00 AMMaybe technosociety is the problem. Your body is an unapporved scientific experiement. The techofetishists have inundated our environment with electromagnetic pollution, unparalleled in human history – the science I look at tells me this e-fog is dangerous pollution that can interfere with health.
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Dave p.
May 8th, 2016 at 6:41 PMIt’s a virus. I have the exact problem. I was perfectly normal up until the age 29 (I’m 36 now). I remember the moment my vision changed instantly like it was yesterday. It happened rrrrrrright after I gave oral sex. I was driving home and it changed everything like something that like you can’t be really explained well enough for people to understand. I can barely talk to people cus my vision is really weird. Kind of like a pain or headache behind my right eye all the time. My nerves are different as well. Used to be cool calm and collective. Now eyes are always moving, sometimes my head shakes, and look/act tired. Had my eyes checked out and even my optic nerves and they were fine. Someone from that person invaded a part of my brain with a virus and seriously ruined my life. Can’t have a relationship. Don’t like to talk to anyone. I am not dressed or anything. If you saw my slide style and situation you would understand ando not say this guy’s just depressed or has anxiety… I always to to focus on things and although I can see it I can’t follow something with my eyes and see/comprehend what I’m looking/following. Did you find anything out since this is 2 years old??????? Please help me if you did. Dave
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kunal
December 12th, 2016 at 2:25 AM@Dave p. if it had been a virus, then you would have had other symptoms also, like swollen meninges, fever, vomiting etc. I’m also having similar symptoms like yours ( I take anti depressants) and I’m freaked out!
It all started 4 months back. I sometimes feel, it might be ADHD, but it can’t possibly be, because, I didn’t have any of those signs in childhood( I was a topper in my class always, and laser focused , always on the task at hand). Don’t know if it’s depression or something else but yeah this “not able to focus,and blurry vision suddenly” is less when I’m relaxed( like just woken from sleep). I don’t know if it’s because I’m thinking like it’s like this, but seriously, I was way better before. I’m afraid to watch movies( because I won’t be able to focus, and I’ll spoil the fun) anyone with a solution?? -
E
December 1st, 2018 at 12:51 PMDave, I have the EXACT same issue, I have always been a huge sponge for new intellectual material, and one day I remember waking up and feeling “off”, I’ve gone from reading everyday without fail to straining and struggling to read one paragraph, I’m constantly tired and fatigued. my hands haven’t stopped shaking for the past year or so, and I struggle so much to self motivate (I used to get up and try something new at least every other day).
if you have found out anything about this please get back to me!
regards, E -
wendi
August 8th, 2016 at 12:44 PMThe one thing doctors rarely ask about and ignore in favor of the “you’re depressed or anxious” answer: What are you eating? Are symptoms worse on some days? I’ve had to totally overhaul my diet from what I ate when I was younger. More protein and fat, fewer carbs. I still notice that when I eat too many carbs I can have focusing problems for a day or two until my system processes it and I’m back to my “new normal” diet. Try eating low-ish carb and very healthy for one week (no sweets). Just for ONE WEEK. If you notice a difference, that tells you something. And then–if you’re willing to consider diet a health tool that YOU control–you can quit handing money to doctors.
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satheesh K
August 11th, 2016 at 3:49 AMmy mind searching other people’s what to do and if he watched me or not..? and I am imagin all people’s are talking about me. how to stop that imagin. .some times I do brilliant work and some time do stupid work. .
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Josh
September 8th, 2016 at 4:44 AMHi thx for sharing your minds! I have more or less the same problem that I am not able to concentrate when I work and I am always thinking about something else. I heared about nootropicplus, a natural brain booster … does someone know how they work?
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Ann
September 18th, 2016 at 4:30 PMI have a similar problem and I am sure this is due to anxiety as I have muscle twitching as well. I find giving myself a massage, especially my arms and legs really helps. Hope this helps.
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amir
October 16th, 2016 at 11:58 AMall i know is i cant leave with these things in my mind
i dont know im thinking to what and i cant explain it to yht other people
but im always wandering. honestly i live 5 hours out of 24 hours in reality. -
Vartika
November 2nd, 2016 at 11:17 AMi can’t understand what’s happening with me
after discussing with my benchmate i came to know excatly what is happening with me…..she said me that you are not enjoying the place the moment where you are……it’s lack of concentration or nothing……but I don’t think so.. -
ABDUL G.
January 22nd, 2017 at 2:34 AMDEAR SIR,
I AM SUFFERING MENTAL DEPRESSION AND ALWAYS NOT INTERESTED TO WORK AND FEEL LAZY AND WANT TO SIT IDLE . MORE OVER, I CANT CONCENTRATE THE WORK/TALK/TV PROGRAM OF WAHT EVER ANYTHING.
EVEN I CAN`T READY NEWS PAPER BOOKS OFFICE DOCUMENT ETC.REGARDS
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GoodTherapy Admin
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:00 PMDear Abdul G.,
If you would like to consult with a mental health professional, please feel free to return to our homepage, https://www.goodtherapy.org/, and enter your zip code into the search field to find therapists in your area.
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Kind regards,
The GoodTherapy.org Team -
Ahmed A.
February 5th, 2017 at 1:33 AMOne possible reason could be sleep deprivation, get enough sleep so your brain has enough energy to focus. Another possibility can be the lack of Iron which causes tiredeness and fatigue so you cant focus on certain things properly.
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Douglas N.
July 27th, 2017 at 12:22 PMWow, I am losing my focusing when read to the 3rd comments. I just got to stop now. I am feeling losing my mind. Sorry
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Rajendra
August 1st, 2017 at 12:33 AMHi Sufferers,
I am sharing my experience that my wife faced after two months of delivery. As doctor said it is because of hormones, specially newly mother may suffer the kinds of illness. She went through all the doctors psychiatric etc. consumed different kind of drug as doctors prescript.
passed couple of month no progress seems, than one of my friend suggested to go for meditation, Yoga, Zumba focus more on exercise. I did the same and we found the positive result. 1st do the basic Zuma Dance, 2nd Yoga, than meditation you will feel so tired you feel lazy for some time. then ask some to tell the short story or some news or something. at that time may be because of you tiredness you will feel sleepy and see slowly slowly you will start focusing on… you can sit on front of TV play the TV and see your focus will come better.
Thanks, Prey for your speedy recovery. -
Shehata
May 28th, 2020 at 11:49 AMI have the same symptoms, I do hard work to read one line of a word document, I am still good at listening to people, but feeling very low, issues with my performance, I used to be on the top, now I cannot follow up with my tasks and even the things i used to do with fun, my friends invite me to watch movies or play games, I am no longer feels I want to play or do a mind work to think about the game stuff and understand it, when i try to hear music for focusing, I focus on the music itself, not on the task, every little thing distract me, and just like the leafs of the tree, I jump from idea to another and forget the main thing I was doing, even on online and live meetings, sometimes I feel the people talking too fast, I cannot follow up with what they just said, i need to hear it again and again to get it.
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lydia
January 10th, 2021 at 7:48 AMhello everyone,well it is great to see that am not the only one who is going through the same situation well as u guys am also sicking support or its better to say help.For me it has been going since high school and the most frustrating thing is it reaches its climax when exam time is near and for those who read it might think like ow its something related with exam and its stress due it but i wish it is u have no idea how much i want that..u know people should thank for even the tiny thing they have because there r people who cant even feel the pressure they need to feel.so this has been going for years and when i was in 12th grade it came and it never went away i couldn’t get myself together it was really harsh,but now with the help of God am 2nd yr med student which is a surprise right and the most surprising thing is the same thing is making m life hell…1 i do not know the cause if i did i will get rid of it 2,because it made that year hell for me and because am going through the exact thing again i experience a lot of painful flashbacks 3, because it was the year that i should take an exam that determined my future…getting my mind not focused on that is the worse thing that could ever happen to me so am now in a middle of an exam and it is being so difficult for me to get my head from spinning no matter how much i say to my mind am the boss,everything is in the past and there is nothing i can do about it…it aint working,i have talked to my parents,loved ones and no answer what is left is getting them feel rather depressed…so if in case i can get support that is welcome
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