**Distraction** is a common disorder that negatively affects our daily performance by reducing concentration. It often occurs in people with high stress and headaches; But other people such as employees, students, elderly people, those with brain diseases and even those with incorrect sleep patterns are also susceptible to it. There are common treatments and techniques such as doing certain exercises, exercising, squeezing the stress ball, talking and reading books to address the lack of concentration and control it. Of course, in some cases, the doctor prescribes drug therapy along with techniques for the patient, which is very helpful. Stay with us to teach you the causes of distraction, symptoms and ways to improve it and get rid of this annoying disorder. ### Definition of distraction and lack of concentration Distraction means not focusing on the subject or various activities caused by various factors. On the other hand, it appears with different symptoms that most people confuse with Alzheimer's and ADHD **(attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)**. If it may even be caused by a long fatigue. The most important thing is to diagnose it in time to have a successful treatment. Distractions are divided into two general categories: external distractions and internal distractions. External distractions are caused by factors such as noise or environmental activities, while internal distractions are related to fatigue, overthinking, and stress. ### Causes of distraction and lack of concentration **Mental disorder and concentration** have various reasons and cannot be determined for sure. Sometimes there may be several causes such as Alzheimer's, excessive noise, work fatigue, insufficient sleep, headache, MS and similar causes of this disorder. Below are the causes of distraction and lack of concentration, which include: - - #### **Insufficient sleep:** Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on your ability to focus. Studies show that people who don't get enough sleep have trouble maintaining attention and focusing on tasks. - - #### **Stress and anxiety:** Worries and confusing thoughts can disrupt your focus. Stress can increase cortisol in the brain and weaken the ability to concentrate. - - #### **Use of some drugs:** Some medications, such as depression medications, brain and Alzheimer's medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may have side effects that negatively affect concentration. If you notice changes in cognitive abilities, be sure to see a doctor. - - #### **ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder):** ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes serious problems with mental retardation and concentration, often manifesting itself in childhood. People with ADHD have very low concentration in doing their daily activities such as watching movies, working, writing an article and reading a book. - - #### **Cerebral Embolism:** Brain embolism can restrict blood flow to the brain and lead to problems with concentration. People who have a cerebral embolism may experience temporary or permanent cognitive problems and distraction. - - #### **Parkinson's:** In the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, dementia may also be common. The motor symptoms of this disease are caused by the destruction of cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain, which causes a decrease in dopamine, a key neurotransmitter. - - #### **Alzheimer's:** **Alzheimer's** and distraction are completely related to each other; But they are often mistaken. Distraction occurs due to factors such as stress and fatigue. If Alzheimer's disease is dementia. Having said that, people suffering from dementia will also suffer from distraction, which turns into forgetfulness as the disease progresses. - - #### **Seizures:** The connection between seizures and distraction is clearly evident in people with epilepsy. Research has shown that epilepsy can have a negative effect on the speed of attention and information processing, thus reducing the attention span. The mentioned cases are the most common causes of lack of concentration, which need a doctor's diagnosis to diagnose each one. Among other things that affect sensory disorders, we can mention "Neuropathy" which will also affect your emotions. ### Symptoms and signs There are various symptoms of distraction that may appear in each person in a different way. In the table below, we have examined mild and chronic symptoms: ### Mild symptoms of distraction - Procrastination - Occurrence of disturbing thoughts - Emergence of feelings of sadness - Losing objects - Feeling of mental fatigue ### Chronic distraction symptoms - Depression and anxiety - Fatigue when doing daily tasks - Inability to plan - Emergence of feelings of emptiness - Emergence of feeling of acute disappointment The above are some of the signs of lack of concentration that can not only affect the quality of daily life, but also make your activities such as studying and work difficult. If you experience any of the above symptoms, be sure to see a doctor to diagnose the cause. Ways to manage and improve focus To improve concentration and manage distractions, there are several useful and effective strategies that can be applied in daily life, including: - **Focus on one task:** Instead of doing several tasks at the same time, focus on one specific task. This method helps you focus your mental energy on an activity to avoid distractions. - **Using time planning:** Divide your day into certain parts and allocate time to a specific task for each part. This allows you to rest after each concentration to restore your energy. - **Reduce the use of digital devices:** Minimize the use of social networks and replace it with intellectual games. Excessive use of electronic devices will distract your mind and you will suffer from lack of concentration. - **Regular breaks:** Planning for short breaks during the day helps to increase concentration and prevent mental fatigue. During these times, you can go for a walk or eat a healthy snack. - **Proper sleep:** Adequate and quality sleep is very effective in reducing distractions and daily performance. Try to sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night and have a consistent sleep routine. - **Meditation and breathing exercises:** Devote a few minutes a day to relaxation and deep breathing. This will help you reduce stress and focus better. In addition to the above, talking with others, doing daily exercise, learning a language, music and eating healthy are also effective in increasing concentration. You can also use puzzles to focus and challenge the mind. distraction detection Knowing yourself is one of the most important steps in detecting distraction. During the day, you should pay attention to what times and activities you lose your concentration the most. You can make a notebook and note these times to get a good result. For example, when using your mobile phone, be careful about the time you spend browsing apps. If your distraction is too much, see a neurologist as soon as possible to diagnose your problem and prescribe appropriate treatment if necessary. Another way to diagnose attention disorder is irregularity in daily schedules. This will make you leave things half and half. Also, when you are in a noisy environment, pay attention to whether you suffer from sensory disturbances or not. These small ways will help you to easily recognize your distraction. #### Summary Distractions can interfere with your daily life and be confusing. Its causes can be fatigue, MS, Alzheimer's, ADHD, and concussion. If the reason for your lack of concentration is things like noise, fatigue, etc., techniques such as counting, playing mental games, squeezing the stress ball, listening to music, and meditation will be very helpful to easily strengthen your concentration. **Dr. Majid Kihani Fard** with years of experience and excellent expertise in the field of various brain diseases can be very effective in diagnosing mental disorders and your concentration. To make an appointment, contact the numbers listed on the page.