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.

• Adjustment Disorder

  A psychological disorder, often with low mood and anxiety. It is triggered by a sudden change in life circumstances, e.g. divorce or losing a job.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Alzheimer's Disease

Related Serious Diseases

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

• Wernicke Encephalopathy

  Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neurologic condition condition characterized by vision changes, ataxia (loss of coordination and balance), and confusion. It is caused by B1 or thiamine deficiency.

• Chronic Subdural Hematoma
• Cerebral Infarction
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

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

• Do you have difficulty concentrating?
• When did you first begin experiencing difficulty concentrating?
• How is your difficulty concentrating now?
• How severe is your difficulty concentrating?

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