advice: my lack of attention and focus has me worried

when your brain is dealing with constant threat — like in a pandemic — staying focused, positive and organized can be difficult.

by maja begovic

published oct 22, 2021

last updated jan 20, 2023

4 minute read

join the conversation

4 minute read

join the conversation

advice: my lack of attention and focus has me worried

boredom and lack of focus could be your body's way of dealing with stress. getty

dear asking for a friend, the last few months, i am finding it hard to focus on my work — or anything, actually — for a long period of time. a friend of mine, a high-functioning executive, was just diagnosed with adhd, and it has me thinking that maybe that’s what’s going on with me too.

signed, all over the place

dear all over the place,

first of all, remember that we are living in unprecedented times. the constant stress of the pandemic may be catching up with you, especially if you’ve already got a lot on your plate. trying to juggle multiple personal and work commitments can easily make you feel overwhelmed at the best of times — add in a global virus and it’s no wonder you are having trouble feeling focused.

there is research that suggests that the brain can handle short bursts of stress really well, but living under constant pressure for an extended period of time can affect the way you feel and behave. as the brain diverts some of its capacity towards dealing with the anxiety that stems from the persistent, low-grade threat, staying focused, positive and organized may be challenging.

there are things you can try though, to get you out of the rut.

experts suggest that adjusting your daily schedule to prioritize sleep, exercise and spending time outdoors can help you feel more relaxed. taking frequent breaks throughout the day, setting smaller, more manageable goals, and avoiding multitasking can ease the pressure you may be feeling subconsciously.

keep in mind that while troubles with attention and focus can be a symptom of adhd, they can also indicate other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma, says dr. renata villela, president and psychotherapy initiative lead at the ontario psychiatric association.

“as with any medical condition, it is important to place the experience into context by understanding the situations in which it occurs and identifying the other symptoms that exist with it,” she says. “a psychiatric assessment focused on adhd would help with that.”

villela describes someone with adhd as having difficulties focusing, multitasking, meeting deadlines, sitting still and impulsivity. if symptoms persist for more than six months, and occur across multiple settings, such as at home, work or at school, it should be evaluated by a health care provider.

who develops adhd?

adhd or attention deficit hyperactive disorder can go undiagnosed for a long time, and when it’s left untreated, it can affect self-esteem, family and social life, work performance, and relationships. there is also evidence that suggests that adhd may impact mental health and worsen bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.

according to research by the adult adhd centre at pacific coast recovery care, 60 per cent of people with untreated adhd in childhood or adolescent years continue to experience symptoms well into adulthood, and that 80 per cent of adults with adhd have never been diagnosed or treated.

adults with adhd seem to experience similar symptoms that were present in childhood — they may be less hyperactive as adults, but they may continue to be easily distracted, overlook details and be more prone to impulsive behaviour.

there also appears to be a genetic component to adhd — it usually occurs in children before age 12, and is more prevalent in males — research suggests that at least one-third of all fathers with adhd have children with the same condition. twins also appear to have the same adhd trait.

but adhd isn’t always about being scattered and disorganized. one study suggests that being engrossed in a particular activity may also be a symptom of adhd. people with this type of hyper-focus may lose track of time and may ignore other people in their environment.

living well with adhd

some strategies for living well with adhd include counselling and coaching, medication, and sticking to a schedule or routine. villela also suggests setting up electronic reminders, creating a daily ‘to do’ list, sticking to one task at a time, using headphones to drown out surrounding noise, and exercising regularly.

it’s difficult to identify lack of focus and attention as a symptom of adhd without the help of a healthcare provider — so if you are finding that the feeling of being ‘all over the place’ is overwhelming, it may be worth seeking professional advice.

is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about, but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret — and identity — is safe with us!

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