Concentration disorder or poor concentration are terms for an impairment of concentration that can vary in severity. In this case, a concentration disorder or poor concentration can occur only briefly or over a longer period of time.
What are concentration disorders?
A concentration disorder can occur at any age. Often, however, this symptom is wrongly attributed to children, because they just have not yet built up the same ability to concentrate, as adults. One speaks of a concentration disturbance or concentration weakness, if the concentration of a person appears unusually differently, than in the normal condition. Here, the concentration itself is the attention to a certain action or sense stimulus. Concentration can also be directed to other people or objects. In this case, concentration focuses on things more precisely, while the surroundings are perceived only marginally or blurred. Concentration implies a mental effort, which therefore does not last forever. Elementary school children, for example, can concentrate for just a quarter of an hour. In adults, concentration wanes after an hour at the latest. Fluctuations can occur individually, of course. If the concentration decreases in this normal cycle, we cannot speak of a concentration disorder or lack of concentration. A concentration disorder can occur at any age. However, this symptom is often wrongly attributed to children, as they have not yet developed the same ability to concentrate as adults. However, if the general ability to concentrate deviates from the normal values, there is often a concentration disorder or lack of concentration behind it. The difference between a concentration disorder and a lack of concentration is that a concentration disorder lasts only for a short time, while a lack of concentration lasts for a longer period of time. Medically, it is not exactly defined when a concentration disorder is present. Nevertheless, concentration disorders can occur in various dimensions and are equally subject to the most diverse causes.
Causes
Short-term concentration disturbance or lack of concentration have mostly no pathological causes. Mainly stress, burnout, excessive demands, lack of sleep, too much coffee, drugs, smoking and alcohol are the cause. However, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, side effects of medication and allergies can also cause temporary concentration disorders or poor concentration. Prolonged computer games or television watching, coupled with lack of sleep, are the main causes of concentration disorders, especially in children and adolescents, which then also become noticeable in the school grades. However, concentration disorders or lack of concentration can also be related to physical complaints or illnesses. Especially psychosomatic and neurological problems are common causes. Other diseases that show concentration disorders as a symptom are hypothyroidism, depression, menopause and anorexia. In older patients, inadequate cerebral blood flow and Alzheimer’s disease are also possibilities. Rather harmless are concentration disorders during menopause in women. In rare cases, genetic causes or early childhood damage or complications are also reasons for concentration disorders. In this context, dyslexia known as poor concentration or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often on everyone’s lips.
Diseases with this symptom
- Hypothyroidism
- Hay fever
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Burnout syndrome
- Hangover
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Sleep apnea
- ADHD
- Mineral deficiency
- Kidney weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Nicotine addiction
- Affective disorders
- Malnutrition
Complications
Concentration disorders often entail social complications. Affected people often find it difficult to watch the news, read the newspaper or follow a conversation. A permanent lack of concentration can therefore mean far-reaching consequences for everyday life. Outsiders may interpret the lack of concentration as disinterest.For example, if a person repeatedly loses the thread in a personal conversation or cannot respond to questions or statements in a meaningful way. This (false) impression can also become a problem professionally. Overall, performance often suffers from concentration disorders. Under certain circumstances, superiors and colleagues, but also teachers and trainers interpret the lack of concentration as laziness or stupidity. Poor grades, failed exams or disciplinary measures are possible consequences. Particularly severe concentration disorders, such as those that can occur in depression, may lead to temporary inability to work. In road traffic, when operating machinery and in other critical situations, the lack of concentration possibly increases the risk of accidents. In addition, if the concentration problems are accompanied by memory problems, they may affect the taking of medication: For example, there is a risk that sufferers will forget to take medication or accidentally take it twice. This circumstance can complicate treatment and cause further problems. In addition, further complications are possible, depending on the cause of the concentration disorders.
When should you see a doctor?
Concentration disorders should always be examined and treated by a doctor, as they can severely limit the patient’s life. Especially in children, early treatment of concentration disorders is important so that they do not affect adulthood. Children should be examined by a doctor if the concentration disorders have a negative effect on grades at school and on social contacts. This can lead to deterioration or social exclusion. Adults with concentration disorders should also seek treatment, as they can have a very negative impact on everyday life. Especially if the disturbance occurs suddenly or is connected with a special event, a visit to a doctor is necessary. If the concentration disorders occur only for a short time and disappear on their own, there is no need to see a doctor. As a rule, the family doctor can be consulted first, who will refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.
Treatment and therapy
Initially, the discussion with the attending physician is always in the foreground. Special attention is paid to the living conditions of the child or adult. In many cases, therefore, discussions should also be held with parents and teachers. In order to diagnose a concentration disorder or lack of concentration, the doctor or psychologist then uses test procedures. In most cases, the Test of Concentration Ability (TPK) or KT 3-4 is used for children. Here, patients are given certain tasks to test their ability to concentrate. Especially with regard to distractibility, these specific tests can yield good results. If the doctor or psychologist then finds the right cause, further examinations are initiated as appropriate. In particular, organic or psychosomatic diseases should be excluded. To be able to exclude these, an eye test and a hearing test are made. In addition, the hormone concentration in the blood is measured. Then the treatment is carried out according to the final cause. Autogenic training and other relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, acupuncture) can help to restore concentration in cases of stress and burnout. Usually, your doctor or psychologist will then recommend concentration exercises. Usually these are logic games or puzzles, but they are not everyone’s cup of tea. Therefore, concentration-specific sports such as surfing and basketball are well suited not only to increase the ability to concentrate, but also to improve the general well-being at the same time. Jogging and swimming can likewise empty the mind of unnecessary ballast and thus sharpen concentration in problem situations. If the concentration disorder or lack of concentration is due to an organic or disease-related cause, this should be treated first and foremost. Even for children and adolescents with ADHD, there are suitable treatment options that their doctor will suggest to them.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for concentration disorders depends primarily on the causes.A concentration disorder caused by iron deficiency or another nutrient deficiency can usually be treated well. The symptoms usually disappear as soon as the deficiency is eliminated. However, some deficiency symptoms can lead to permanent (irreversible) damage. This is possible, for example, with a severe deficiency of vitamin B12. In this case, however, treatment (for example, by taking supplements) can help prevent the damage that has occurred from increasing. Vitamin B12 deficiency in infancy partially affects the child’s development and may slow it down or permanently impair it. In such a case, concentration disorders also tend to persist. Concentration disorders caused by ADD or ADHD are often treated with medication. The prospect of improving the symptoms is often good here. However, it is not always possible to completely control the concentration disorder. ADD and ADHD are most severe in childhood and typically weaken in late adolescence and adulthood. However, in some adults, the full extent of the mental illness persists. For other mental disorders associated with concentration problems, the prognosis also depends on the precipitating illness. In schizophrenia and (major) depression, the symptom often occurs in phases with appropriate treatment.
Prevention
Concentration disorder or lack of concentration is mainly a product of our Western lifestyle. Stress, hectic pace and work pressure are mostly the responsible indicators. Therefore, in the prevention of concentration disorders, especially the relaxation techniques should be learned and used regularly. These include, as already noted, autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga and acupuncture. Furthermore, a lot of sport should be done. Especially team sports and endurance sports create a free mind and increase the ability to concentrate. Finally, it is advisable to eat a healthy diet. Low-fat and sugar-free food is a matter of course, accompanied by vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables. Avoid excessive coffee and completely abstain from alcohol and nicotine.
This is what you can do yourself
Behind lack of concentration in children is often an attention deficit syndrome. This belongs in specialist medical treatment. Lack of concentration in adults manifests itself with various accompanying symptoms and can also be influenced by exercises and a healthy lifestyle. Sufficient sleep and a balanced diet can improve the ability to concentrate. People who drink a lot promote blood flow to the brain and can thus also improve their concentration. In many cases, a new coping strategy for stressful situations is useful. For example, it helps to focus one’s attention on a neutral topic and tell oneself that the situation can be handled. Those who have to work in a very concentrated manner should allow themselves rest breaks again and again. The less media consumed, the better for thinking performance. Caffeine, alcohol or nicotine also have a negative effect on the ability to concentrate. People with poor concentration should avoid sedatives and stimulants in equal measure. A half-hour walk before bedtime or reading a pleasant book is much more sensible. Neck tension can also lead to concentration problems. If a situation seems particularly threatening, getting out of it is important. Drinking a cup of tea or water in peace helps manage anxiety. Putting the disturbing thoughts down on paper is another proven strategy. An anxiety disorder could also be behind a lack of concentration. This must be treated psychotherapeutically.
