Tap to Read ➤

Difficulty Concentrating

Aastha Dogra
Experiencing difficulty in concentration is a common occurrence. However, if it is the result of an underlying condition, it should not be overlooked. We provide some information about this difficulty and the possible causes behind it, as well as the ways to overcome the same.
Our lives are very hectic these days. One is continuously trying to balance various commitments in their life - family, work, friends, and many others. In middle of all these, somewhere one tends to lose touch with themselves. One takes care of the people around them, however, they fail to do the same for themselves, and thus, end up feeling stressed out.
When a person is stressed or is under heavy workload, he/she would experience various mental and physical problems. He/she would experience difficulty in concentrating and remembering things, which can be considered as the problems.
Besides being stressed and under a lot of pressure at work, there are some other reasons too, which may make a person unable to concentrate at the task at hand. Here are the main causes, followed by some tips to overcome the same.

Causes

► As mentioned before, the main cause is stress and anxiety. If a person has difficulty concentrating at work, the reason could be that he is overloaded with work or is not able to manage his work properly, thus resulting in stress.
► Undertaking certain medication can make it difficult for the person to concentrate.

► Certain psychological reasons such as daydreaming, facing intimidation, being fearful, or feeling guilty, can be the other causes in some people.
► Taking drugs or drinking alcohol in excess can cause this problem too.
► A mental health condition, known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is the number one cause behind this problem in children. This is a biological condition and it is caused due to the difference in the structure and function of the brain in these affected children, when compared to other normal children.
► Certain environmental factors such as noise, pollution, sudden rise and fall in temperature, can also cause this difficulty.

► A person who is feeling hungry or exhausted might find it difficult to concentrate for a while.
► Relationship problems, either with one's spouse, neighbors, family, friend or colleagues, can make a person unable to concentrate on his work.
► Change in one's dietary habits, such as, suddenly giving up caffeine, can produce this problem, as the withdrawal symptom.
► Lack of sleep or a disturbed sleep.
► Unable to concentrate while reading could be due to Irlen Syndrome. Both children and adults may be affected by it. The affected people are unable to see the printed page the same way, as normal people do. They are not able to read words or letters together, and thus can't identify words. This causes fatigue, discomfort, and difficulty in concentration.

Tips to Improve Concentration
In order to focus, the first thing that a person should do is determine the reason why he/she is experiencing this problem. Trying to eliminate that reason along with a few lifestyle changes, is the key to improving one's concentration.

Lifestyle Changes

People who face this problem need to make a few lifestyle changes, such as giving up or reducing the intake of alcohol, sugar, and caffeine.
One should opt for a healthy diet, which is rich in nutrients such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are considered to be very brain friendly and thereby help to improve concentration.
Sleeping for eight hours every night, doing yoga, meditation, and following breathing techniques, to reduce stress and anxiety, helps a person to concentrate better. Practicing brain exercises such as solving puzzles would prove beneficial too.

Consult a Doctor

If this problem is due to some drug or medicine that a person is taking, asking the doctor to replace it with some other medication, may help to improve one's concentration. Attention deficit disorder, Irlen syndrome, or any other medical condition cannot be treated at home, hence, the concerned doctor should be contacted immediately for the same.
If the stress or depression is getting out of hand with symptoms such as sweating, mood swings, feeling of sadness, continuing for over a fortnight, it is advisable to seek therapy.
In most cases, unless and until a health condition is behind it, this problem can be improved by managing one's time properly. Furthermore, setting realistic goals, doing one thing at a time, giving oneself time, importance, and care, are some of the other things that contribute to a person's well-being and happiness.
Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.