Bad attention span

[Hellhound]

I've had this problem for quite a while.

I always had a good attention span, I could focus on things without any trouble. I don't remember when it happened, but it's started to fail pretty badly.

As an artist, this is a huge problem. I can't focus well on my drawing, instead, I make two lines and get distracted for hours, then back to make another two lines, then back to getting distracted for a certain period again. There are moments when I'm fine and can concentrate well, but a lot of times when my brain just doesn't cooperate.

I need to know if this might be linked to Depression. I don't suffer from either ADD/ADHD. This is something that just appeared one day and doesn't seem to be improving much. I seem to have a problem remembering things as well. I'm really confused.

Help?

 

[miserablecow]

I feel the same way...I'm finding it very difficult too.

 

[Gap]

I read somewhere that reading upside down may help to focus , i m working on it so can't tell if it's really work

 

[IntheLabyrinth]

I am not sure if it's depression related or not, but too have developed that problem. I would really like to know why that is. I am okay staying focused when I am watching tv or reading a really good book for fun but when it comes to school or work, I can't stay focused. Do you still enjoy doing your drawings? If not, I am thinking it may mostly be for things that aren't enjoyable. Seems a little simplistic but I am just throwing an idea out there.

 

[gustavofring]

Same here, with the art and complete lack of attention span which is why I decided to try something else for a while.

I think I lost my passion for it. It's definately a sign of depression. Not being positively stimulated. I think one needs to live in order to be creative. When I think back of art college, there was a lot of positive inspiration going on from being social, hanging out with people, sharing ideas and styles. Now all of that is gone and the art suffers for it.

 

[Hellhound]

Do you still enjoy doing your drawings?

Depends on my mood. I have days when I'm low on motivation, I don't enjoy a lot of things during that time.

 

[xDreamseller]

I've got the exact same problem lately. (Infact...right now, missing out an exam tomorrow because I procrastinated with revision until there wasn't enough time left)

I get brief moments of...clarity? at night and tonight when it happened, I went through my pc and deleted every game I have on it in an attempt to focus for the rest of my exam period. Can only hope it works.

I sat and watched videos about ancient Egypt for hours instead of revising. I now know about 4 different theories about how and why the pyramids were built but only the first few pages of my uni text book on computer science...oh well.

 

[laure15]

I think this is normal. I cannot read or study for 1 hour straight without taking a break or 2. Besdes, it's bad for the eyes to be continuously staring at a book, computer screen, or a drawing. If I was doing something and it got boring, I shift to doing something else. Alternating between activities and taking breaks makes it more likely for me to get things done.

 

[ShadowCookie]

One issue I have is that I zone out when people are talking to me, and I end up having to ask them to repeat what they have said. I don't do it on purpose, it just happens and I don't even notice it.

 

[OceanMist]

It sounds like you may be a thinker, which isn't a bad thing. Those that analyze can be very perceptive.

 

[lilmutegirl]

I have always had a bad attention span, and it's getting worse. I blame old age (j/k-I'm 30 :sarcastic. I have no idea why this is, but I'm less anxious than I have been in the past, and would not consider myself depressed, so I don't think it is caused by either of these necessarily (in my case, at least).

 

[Sial Axetder]

Hellhound, have you been diagnosed to NOT have ADHD?

ADD is ADHD. They are not separate. ADD I believe would fall into the Disorganized and Forgetfulness portion of ADHD. Some people only suffer from a portion of ADHD.

I am undiagnosed but think I have the ADD portion of ADHD. People complain I don't listen, sometimes I can't sit still, I do forget a lot but I don't remember that. With hyper-focus I do get annoyed when others attempt to break the focus.

Those who do suffer from ADHD usually end up being creative.

 

[Hellhound]

Hellhound, have you been diagnosed to NOT have ADHD?

Not really. This is a slightly recent issue. I think it started about a year ago. Maybe less.

I don't think you can suddenly develop ADHD, can you?

 

[Sial Axetder]

Not really. This is a slightly recent issue. I think it started about a year ago. Maybe less.

I don't think you can suddenly develop ADHD, can you?

Nope. Sometimes its there from birth. Sometimes head injuries can cause it. In my case I think it was a head injury.. Knocked myself silly when I was three. Ran head first into a steel desk. :kickingmyself:

But you may not notice signs of ADHD. It is also possible to have mild symptoms.

 

[cowboyup]

ditto, ditto and ditto w/me as of late.

try as I might, I can't concentrate to write, paint or photograph lately.

I tend to over-analyze things and like you, used to have good memory and attention span, but I feel my brain fluid is slowly being depleted.

:kickingmyself:

 

[gustavofring]

I fell off a sling backwards when I was about 4.

In recent years I've gotten fatalistic beliefs that I developped brain damage from it and that is what's causing my psychological problems. It might be true. h:

 

[JuiceB]

I tend to loose focus quickly and my mind is bouncing off the walls even now.

 

[Hellhound]

A thread made recently about medication reminded me of this problem.

Is it possible that my meds are messing with my concentration and memory?

 

[Silatuyok]

Ever since getting addicted to the internet, my attention span has gone to poop. When I quit the internet for a good length of time, my attention span improves. I should probably quit the internet.

 

[SilentAndShy]

I'd say over the last few years this is getting worse. Even watching TV or when I'm talking to someone, my mind disappears and I lose my focus. I've tried tilting my head to the side to show that person I'm listening which I think might help me avoid losing concentration but meh, it's so and so.

I think it could be down to stress or depression related. When your mind is in a fog then I guess it's natural to be lacking in concentration and drifting out.