Can't Focus

About the Symptom

Poor concentration refers to the struggle to direct attention towards a task. This could be due to various medical or mental health conditions.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Recent weight loss
• Seizure attack
• Impossible to walk normally
• Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
• Muscle weakness in the limbs
• Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
• Change in personality
• Disorder of consciousness

Possible Causes

Generally, Can't focus can be related to:

• Bipolar Disorder

  A disorder marked by extreme and persistent shifts in mood that last for weeks to months, from periods of sustained depression to periods of elevated mood and euphoria. The precise cause is unclear, but genetic and environmental factors contribute.

• Depression

  Depression is a mental illness that leads to low mood, reduced energy levels, and changes in sleep. This affects everyday activities like attending school and work. As the condition worsens, patients might have suicidal thoughts. Although stress and past trauma can cause depression, it can take time to identify and address causes, and genetic factors may also be at play.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease in which the immune system attacks parts of the brain and spinal cord. The direct cause of MS remains unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified such as low vitamin D levels, tobacco smoking, exposure to UV radiation, childhood obesity, and infection with the virus that causes mononucleosis. The disease tends to affect young people more commonly as well as people living in higher latitudes. MS typically occurs in "attacks" which can include but are not limited to painful eye movements, blurry vision in one eye, numbness or weakness in hands or feet on one side, or double vision.

• Adjustment Disorder
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Can't focus may be related to these serious diseases:

• Chronic Subdural Hematoma

  This refers to blood collecting in the space between the brain and the brain's outer covering (dura). It can be caused by even minor injuries or bumps to the head, particularly in those who are at increased risk. Older adults and those on certain blood-thinning medications or with bleeding disorders are at higher risk. Some people will have no or few symptoms but can develop more symptoms (confusion, headaches, personality changes) if it expands.

• Cerebral Infarction
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Wernicke Encephalopathy

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Are you having trouble concentrating lately?
• How long have you had lack/decrease of concentration?
• How has your concentration level changed since it first decreased?
• Does poor concentration cause you outdoor difficulties or require assistance?

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