Does anyone have trouble concentrating?

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It is extremely difficult for me to concentrate for more than 5 minutes. Anything more than a few paragraphs I can't read, I can't concentrate on my art work, even TV shows are hard to watch. It is impossible to build my model airplanes and it is getting worse with time. Its even hard to write this. I also lost interest in certain things. I am very depressed and I believe that is why I have so many problems concentrating. I don't think its ADD.

Sounds like inattention. While the inattention related to ASD likely has a different neurological basis than ADD/ADHD for practical purpose you can consider all three similar.

I guess depression could explain it if its not something you have noted long term. Try reading my anhedonia tread if your being treated for depression.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... 28&start=0

Last edited by TheMachine1 on 04 Aug 2007, 7:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I tend to have trouble concentrating myself. All kinds of thoughts run into my head while I concentrate on something. I tend to get distracted also.

I have noticed my trouble with concentrating increasing as I get older.

I notice that my ability to concentrate is worse when i am depressed.
I take all kinds of herbs to help with mental stamina issues, and still have troubles.

I find that with certain activities I have difficulty with concentrating on them, for my mind tends to wander (I.e. reading a horrible book, practising an instrument), but with listening to music...or anything that I am interested in...I seem to do somewhat well. Conversations are tough with me though - I easily get distracted.

I'm very ADHD, so yes I have trouble concentrating.

Also, when you're depressed, it affects concentration A LOT. You might want to think about getting medicine for that. I think you'll see a big improvement when you've been on meds for a couple of months. If it doesn't help, you should try a different medication.

I've learned to make my inability to concentrate a way to multi task. When you get bored with something, drop it, switch to something else your interested in, and come back to the first when you're interested again. That way you make the most progress on whatever you do. Kinda different from work though where you have to do lots of stuff you're not interested in no matter what. But for free time, spend it on what interests you.

I dunno what works for you, but I have ADHd and if I'm not able to concentrate like to get something done I just crank on music real loud and it tunes out other distractions while providing the stimulation needed to concentrate...

I don't know about how to concentrate better when you are socializing, because you obviously can't blast music if someone's talking too long, I start to lose some of what they are saying, but it's not bad enough where I feel hopeless... once I realize I'm tuning out I tune on again

I've noticed that my memory seems to be getting worse and worse and my paranoia and anxiety more and more and I'm only 18, so I dunno what's up with that... at least I'm not hallucinating yet

Inability to concentrate can be an effect of depression. Maybe talk to a doctor about that and treatment options, since depression has a number of nasty effects on your brain, especially as depression goes on or recurs.

if it has been there since toddler/young child age,it can be ADHD/ADD,might need to ask parents or teacher if not remember early years.

For me it depends a lot on if what I'm supposed to concentrate on interests me or not. If I'm not really interested and forced to learn it, I need lots of breaks in between, may it also be only very short ones. Actually I have a system where when I learn for exams I'll read a few paragraphs and then listen to a song, every five to ten minutes or so, and then go on learning. It works well for me though, so when I learn by myself I have no trouble. Of course, as during lectures I can't get up and listen to music there I tend to just tune out instead.

Thats likely true for most people with inattention. What you really want to be doing is stimulating enough to override your inattention.

I have a really bad problem with concentration. I love to read, but I cannot. I simply can't keep my eyes focused on the words and my mind in sync with my eyes for anything.

I have been treated for depression for about 15 years now, and my concentration has not improved that much. No one seems interested in that particular problem. My doctor told me last week to give my Effexor a little more time, as I've only been on it for 2 months, but I ain't holding my breath

I'm hoping to convince him to give me medicine specifically for ADD, to see if that helps.

What was the question?
depends on the situation with me.... Some things I focus like a laser, but ask me what I shirt I was wearing yesterday and I draw a blank or what I was working on this morning, I have no idea but I know it's important.

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Possibilities?

ADHD Inattentive
(There are four ADHDs - 2010)
Petit mal/absence/complex partial/TLE and so on
Unusual glitch with working memory/short-term memory
Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD)
In some cases, brain injuries (including mild ones), sports concussions, and so on
http://www.sportsconcussions.org/
In some cases, a brain tumor

Other

The primary symptom of depression is not a problem concentrating. That's my understanding.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

You might consider talking with your family/your parents as well as your family doctor about what you are experiencing and go from there.

The fact that you report that it is getting worse with time (progressive) is important.

Many concentration difficulties with many persons are somewhat stable (non-progressive).

Good luck.