Attention Difficulties: Causes & Reasons

Warning: Do not use in emergencies, if pregnant, if under 18, or as a substitute for a doctor’s advice or diagnosis. Learn more

Possible Causes for Attention Difficulties

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD can involve difficulty paying attention, difficulty controlling the urge to act before thinking, and sometime feeling or acting restless. [hampshire.edu]

Approximately half of children with ADHD continue to have difficulties at age 18.3 The main symptoms of ADHD, such as attention difficulties, may improve as children get older [mentalhealth.org.uk]

Difficulty following directions Moving and talking excessively, can’t sit still, restless Easily bored Impulsive behavior Treatment There are many ways to treat ADHD. [emblemhealth.com]

Adult Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder

It assesses ADHD symptom severity across 7 domains: attention difficulties, hyperactivity/restlessness, temper, affective lability, emotional over-reactivity, disorganization [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Affects focus, attention and behavior and can make learning challenging A disorder that includes difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior [ldaamerica.org]

The new definition was based on the assumption that attention difficulties are sometimes independent of impulse problems and hyperactivity. [pbs.org]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

These children often have difficulty paying attention and may be hyperactive and restless. [merckmanuals.com]

These children often have difficulty paying attention and may be hyperactive, restless, and irritable. They may feel keyed up, tense, or on edge. [msdmanuals.com]

because generalized anxiety disorder can cause difficulty paying attention and can result in psychomotor agitation (ie, hyperactivity). [merckmanuals.com]

Anxiety Disorder

However, FXS is also associated with significant emotional and psychiatric problems, including anxiety, depression, attention difficulties, and learning disabilities in the [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] paying attention or concentrating Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or disturbed/interrupted sleep Excessive studying Reassurance seeking Excessive or unreasonable list [anxietybc.com]

Irritable Tired Muscle pains (often in the neck and shoulders) Headaches Stomachaches Emotions: Anxiety/worry Sadness Anger Shame Guilt Behaviors: Tantrums Snapping at others Difficulty [anxietybc.com]

Postconcussive Syndrome

Postconcussive symptoms such as headache, dizziness, irritability, and difficulties with memory and attention are reported frequently after traumatic brain injuries (TBI) [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] in attention or memory Three or more symptoms that last at least 3 months and have an onset shortly after head trauma or represent substantial worsening of previous symptoms [momsteam.com]

Impaired concentration and attention span 16. Periods of confusion 17. Difficulty learning new material BACK TO RESEARCH PAGE [drkant.com]

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sometimes, the only problems that a child with OSA may show are difficulties with paying attention, behavioural problems and learning difficulties. [rch.org.au]

Behavior problems or sleepiness — may include irritability, crankiness, frustration, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention. [chop.edu]

Sleep Apnea

Symptoms of sleep apnea include: Frequent snoring Problems breathing during the night Sleepiness during the day Difficulty paying attention If you notice any of these symptoms [healthychildren.org]

You might have difficulty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. [mayoclinic.org]

[…] staying asleep (insomnia) Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia) Difficulty paying attention while awake Irritability When to see a doctor Loud snoring can indicate a [mayoclinic.org]

Dementia

Symptoms of vascular dementia include: Memory loss Confusion Language problems (aphasia) Difficulty paying attention or following a conversation Difficulty planning and organizing [stroke.org]

Attention Easily distracted Difficulty attending, unless input is restricted/simplified Decreased information-processing speed—thinking/processing takes longer than usual [asha.org]

ATTENTION IMPAIRMENT Patients with delirium demonstrate attention difficulties. They may not remember instructions and may ask that directions and questions be repeated. [web.archive.org]

Hypoglycemia

[…] paying attention, or confusion Tingling sensations around the mouth Seizure The symptoms of hypoglycemia may resemble other problems or medical conditions. [chop.edu]

[…] paying attention, or confusion Tingling sensations around the mouth How do I treat hypoglycemia? [web.archive.org]

This can cause dizziness, headache, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating and other neurological symptoms. [health.harvard.edu]

Depression

[…] with sleeping (too much or too little) difficulties with eating (too much or too little) difficulties with concentration or attention total loss of interest in enjoyable [psychcentral.com]

concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems [halfofus.com]

concentrating, thinking, or making decisions Changes in appetite that lead to weight loss or gain Uncontrollable crying Headache Stomach ache Digestive problems Problems [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Dysthymic Disorder

MDD and DD have been associated with executive function difficulties of working memory and attention. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

concentrating or making decisions, (5) sleep disturbance (insomnia or sleeping too much), and (6) appetite disturbance (poor appetite or overeating). [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]

These symptoms included: Either poor appetite or eating too much Sleep difficulties Fatigue Low self-esteem Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Feelings of hopelessness [depression.about.com]

Psychosis

Particular attention shall be paid to the specific difficulties encountered by the analyst in the interpretative treatment of the trauma resulting from the amount of psychic [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Cognitive difficulties This means that a person may have difficulties with paying attention, remembering or understanding concepts. [stpatricks.ie]

Changed behaviour This means that the person may have difficulties performing usual activities such as school work, paid work or hobbies. [stpatricks.ie]

Hydrocephalus

Consequences of chronic hydrocephalus may include precocious puberty in girls, learning disorders (eg, difficulties with attention, information processing, and memory), loss [merckmanuals.com]

Older children may also be tested for speech, coordination, attention and memory difficulties. [neuro.memorialhermann.org]

Substance Abuse

[…] focusing attention Memory loss Hallucinations Psychosocial symptoms : Agitation Irritability Abrupt changes in mood Temperament changes No longer interested in activities [crestwynbh.com]

Ketamine ( Ketalar ) can impair memory and attention. Higher doses can cause amnesia, paranoia and hallucinations, depression, and difficulty breathing. [emedicinehealth.com]

Many people in our society are dependent on caffeine and experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating if they miss their morning [drugabuse.com]

Bipolar Disorder

It is well established that pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) not only presents with affected dysregulation but also cognitive difficulties in working memory, attention, verbal [doi.org]

[…] span and difficulty remembering irritation, possibly triggered by noises, smells, tight clothing, and other things that would usually be tolerated or ignored an inability [medicalnewstoday.com]

This explains the possibility that cognitive enhancers may be needed post-mood stabilization, based on medications used or to improve the residual attention difficulties intrinsic [doi.org]

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

[…] falling or staying asleep; • Hypervigilance; • Exaggerated startle response; • Difficulty with concentration or attention; • Restricted range of affect. [medscape.com]

It illustrates difficulties clinicians face in discriminating between the effects of developmental delay, traumatic brain injury, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, extreme distress when reminded of the trauma, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, hyper-alertness [med.upenn.edu]

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Memory Loss, Confusion, or Difficulty Concentrating Are you forgetful or confused, have trouble concentrating, or always feel like you're in a fog? [vitamins.lovetoknow.com]

concentrating – pale or yellow skin (jaundice) – stomach upset and weight loss – changed sensation in the limbs (pins and needles, desensitization) – muscle weakness – mood [healthyandnaturalworld.com]

concentrating and shortness of breath. [duqoboyuhac.tk]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Quality of attention in chronic fatigue syndrome: subjective reports of everyday attention and cognitive difficulty, and performance on tasks of focused attention. [doi.org]

Ray CPhillips LWeir W Quality of attention in chronic fatigue syndrome: subjective reports of everyday attention and cognitive difficulty, and performance on tasks of focused [doi.org]

[…] short-term memory, reduced attention span, poor memory for recent events, difficulty with planning or organising your thoughts, difficulty finding the right words to say, [patient.info]

Fibromyalgia

Known as fibro fog or dyscognition, this symptom comprises difficulties with complex cognitive processes including memory, executive function, concentration and attention. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Memory and Thinking Problems The term “fibro fog” is often used to describe; difficulty paying attention or performing simple mental tasks and being forgetful or having poor [arthritis.org]

Abstract Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness; however, comorbid cognitive difficulties are a common complaint among patients. [dx.doi.org]

Autosomal Dominant Mental Retardation Type 5

Some children demonstrate attentional difficulties or mild speech articulation difficulties or delay. [massgeneral.org]

Some common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, changes in eyes and vision, tremors and muscle weakness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and insomnia. [tsbvi.edu]

She showed global developmental delay with delayed language, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, a nonspecific mood disorder, and autistic features. [findzebra.com]

Schizophrenia

Cognitive symptoms include difficulties with attention, concentration and memory. [camh.ca]

Other symptoms include: Unusual thoughts or perceptions Disorders of movement Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion Problems with attention, memory and organization No [mentalhealth.gov]

Cognitive symptoms include memory and attention deficits, lack of organization and difficulty in relationships. [news-medical.net]

Hypothyroidism

[…] span, hyperactivity, insomnia, and behavior difficulties) ( 29 ). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

concentrating It is very important to keep in mind that the symptoms of hypothyroidism are non-specific and can be found with a number of other diseases. [columbiasurgery.org]

As a result, the organs and systems in your body that these hormones interact with start to speed up, creating symptoms such as: Weight loss Difficulty concentrating Feeling [geisinger.org]

Hyperthyroidism

concentrating; may be diagnosed with "late-onset" attention deficit disorder Feeling of a “lump” in the throat The vast majority of hyperthyroidism cases are caused by Graves [chop.edu]

Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: increased appetite nervousness restlessness inability to concentrate weakness irregular heartbeat difficulty sleeping fine, brittle [healthline.com]

Increased appetite — with or without weight loss Increased number of bowel movements per day Heat intolerance (always feeling warm) Decreased or poor school performance Difficulty [chop.edu]

Chronic Alcoholism

[…] paying attention. [searidgealcoholrehab.com]

The permanent effects that can result from long-term drinking are difficulty with problem-solving, long term memory loss, deficiencies in short term memory and difficulties [searidgealcoholrehab.com]

Late-Onset Depression

Impaired thinking and reasoning ability, such as memory problems, difficulty with comprehension, and short attention span. [myhealth.alberta.ca]

Depression can result in irritation, withdrawal, social isolation, feelings of guilt, difficulty concentrating, a lack of energy and self-harm. [senexpertsolicitors.co.uk]

concentrating or remembering changing habits thinking of or attempting suicide If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person: Call 911 [healthline.com]

Encephalopathy

Problems paying attention and organizing thoughts. Difficulty with balance and motor skills. [alz.org]

As the condition progresses, symptoms may include: Changes in behavior and personality Shortened attention span Depression or anxiety Difficulty sleeping Tiredness Forgetfulness [health.cvs.com]

Signs of liver disease Musty or sweet smelling breath Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) Ascites Mild Short attention span Forgetfulness Personality changes Irritability [radiology.ucla.edu]

Central Sleep Apnea

headaches, and difficulty performing work duties. [emedicinehealth.com]

Do you have difficulty concentrating and/or find it hard to recall your memory? Are you constantly tired for no particular reason? [morningsignout.com]

You may have difficulty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching television or even when driving. Cardiovascular problems. [mayoclinic.org]

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Additionally, a reduced HRV has been associated with attentional deficits and difficulty regulating emotions [ 27 ]. [karger.com]

Also, a person with POTS may suffer extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating, migraines, anxiety, tremors, nausea, insomnia and fluctuation in body temperature. [luriechildrens.org]

concentrating, weakness in the legs, unusual feelings of hot or cold, excessive sweating, blue or purple discoloration of the legs or feet and, perhaps as a result of all [nytimes.com]

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Common problems in people recovering from ARDS include: memory problems, such as difficulty recalling certain words or remembering people's names difficulty concentrating [hse.ie]

Patients may have difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. [emedicine.medscape.com]

[…] low attention span problems doing complex mental tasks, such as mental arithmetic Depression An episode of ARDS can be traumatic and frightening, and the recovery process [hse.ie]

Lyme Disease

If you have difficulty, seek medical attention. [health.nsw.gov.au]

This stage is characterized by: arthritis of one or more large joints brain disorders, such as encephalopathy, which can cause short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating [healthline.com]

concentrating Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of these symptoms. [healthline.com]