Can't Focus
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Can't focus
Easily distracted
I can not concentrate on my work
Unable to sit for a long time
My brain is not functioning
Less willpower to do things
Making careless mistakes
I can't continue one thing
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?
Reviewed By:
Charles Carlson, DO, MS (Psychiatry)
Dr. Carlson graduated from Touro University in Nevada with a degree in osteopathic medicine. He then trained as a resident in Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals where he was also a chief resident and completed a fellowship in Public and Community Psychiatry. After training, he started practicing in | Addiction Psychiatry at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he also teaches Psychiatry residents.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Can’t Focus? Why Your Brain is Foggy and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. Brain fog is a common symptom, not a diagnosis, usually driven by poor sleep, stress or depression, hormonal shifts including thyroid or menopause changes, nutritional deficits like B12 or iron, blood sugar swings, medicines, or post-viral illness, and only rarely by neurological disease. Medically approved next steps include optimizing sleep, hydration, nutrition and exercise, reviewing new medicines, and asking your clinician about basic labs such as CBC, thyroid, B12, iron, vitamin D and glucose, with urgent care for sudden confusion, severe headache, weakness, slurred speech or vision loss; see complete details below to tailor your plan and avoid missing critical red flags or treatable causes.
References:
* Cirstea M, et al. "Brain fog" as a symptom in neurological conditions: Pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches. J Transl Med. 2023;21(1):595.
* Lorusso M, et al. The physiological basis and clinical manifestations of brain fog: a comprehensive review. Brain Sci. 2023;13(7):1052.
* Roccaforte R, et al. Neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment: A systematic review. Brain Behav. 2020;10(10):e01826.
* Guddattu V, et al. The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2019;10(2):292-302.
* Al-Dossari MY, et al. Interventions for post-COVID-19 condition-related brain fog: A systematic review. J Med Virol. 2023;95(8):e28938.
Q.
Is it Dyslexia? Why Your Brain Struggles + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Dyslexia is a common neurodevelopmental reading difference affecting about 1 in 5 people, causing difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding due to phonological processing differences, not vision problems or low intelligence. There are several factors to consider in choosing next steps; see below for medically approved guidance on proper evaluation and support, including talking with a doctor to rule out hearing or vision issues, requesting a school evaluation for IEP or 504 services, using structured literacy programs, assessing coexisting issues like ADHD or anxiety, and knowing when symptoms need urgent care.
References:
* Snowling, M. J. (2019). Developmental dyslexia: a neurobiological perspective. *The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health*, *3*(9), 650–657.
* Katusic, S. K., Colligan, R. C., Weaver, A. L., & Mrazek, D. A. (2020). Dyslexia: a comprehensive and current review. *Pediatric Clinics of North America*, *67*(3), 543–558.
* Shaywitz, S. E., & Shaywitz, B. A. (2018). The neurobiology of dyslexia. *Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology*, *55*(2), 269–277.
* Mather, K. G., & Snowling, M. J. (2023). Interventions for dyslexia: a review of the evidence. *Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences*, *50*, 101267.
* Gaab, N., & Gabrieli, J. D. E. (2022). Current approaches to the identification and intervention of dyslexia. *Current Opinion in Psychology*, *46*, 101340.
Q.
Brain Fog or Sleep Disorder? Why You Can't Focus No Matter What
A.
Persistent brain fog with excessive daytime sleepiness often signals a sleep disorder rather than just stress, with common causes including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders; other contributors like depression or anxiety, thyroid problems, iron or B12 deficiency, medications, long COVID, and hormonal shifts can also impair focus. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including practical first steps to track sleep and improve sleep habits, when to use a symptom check or see a clinician for labs or a sleep study, and the specific red flags that call for prompt medical care.
References:
* Shariq M, Alkhayyat M, Alawam A, Alhashmi S, Al-Hilli H, Tanev KS. Brain fog: a review of the neurological basis, clinical correlates, and therapeutic strategies. J Neuroinflammation. 2022 Dec 27;19(1):294. doi: 10.1186/s12974-022-02666-x. PMID: 36575306. PMCID: PMC9794017.
* Alkhouri H, Poudel A, Alkhouri A, Khaliq I. Sleep Deprivation and Cognitive Impairment: A Bidirectional Relationship. Cureus. 2023 Nov 16;15(11):e48942. doi: 10.7759/cureus.48942. PMID: 38106979. PMCID: PMC10729315.
* Ma H, Pan Y, Zhang R, et al. Sleep quality and attention: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2020 Oct;53:101344. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101344. Epub 2020 Jun 25. PMID: 32629237.
* Cvejic E, Lonergan M, Vollmer-Conna U. Sleep Disturbances in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative Review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021 Jan 1;17(1):101-111. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8860. PMID: 33261642. PMCID: PMC7851604.
* Wernicke L, De Nardo M, Tanev KS, O'Day PM. Neuroinflammation and Brain Fog: A Review of Potential Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 15;24(16):12791. doi: 10.3390/ijms241612791. PMID: 37628885. PMCID: PMC10455437.
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