Lack of Concentration: Causes and Tips

A lack of concentration can make everyday life considerably more difficult. We reveal typical causes for this annoying problem and what can be done about it.

What is a Lack of Concentration?

With a lack of concentration, it is difficult for those affected to concentrate longer on a task or thing. This increases the risk of being distracted by something else. The causes include both personal circumstances such as persistent stress or lack of sleep and external factors such as noise or bad air. But various illnesses can also trigger a lack of concentration. It can usually be treated by looking at the cause.

Lack of Concentration or Poor Concentration?

Although the terms poor concentration and poor concentration are often used synonymously, they do not describe the same problem. Concentration disorders are often temporary and occur, for example, when you have had a bad night’s sleep. A lack of concentration, on the other hand, is a persistent condition that can make everyday life considerably more difficult. However, the transitions between the two phases are often fluid.

Type-related Lack of Concentration: Lark or Owl?

It is important to know that nobody can be concentrated all day long. Our ability to concentrate is like a curve that is influenced by various factors and tends to fall off at the end of the day. An essential factor for our ability to concentrate and pay attention is our own biorhythm, which determines at what time of day we are particularly awake and efficient. A distinction is made between two types, which can also be responsible for a possible lack of concentration:

• Larks: Larks are usually awake early and go to sleep early. They are fully concentrated and fit in the morning. The later it gets, the more likely they are to experience concentration problems.
• Owls: Owls usually sleep longer and are therefore active into the night. As a result, they tend to be really productive from late noon onwards and have difficulty being productive in the morning.

Lack of Concentration Due to The Biorhythm

However, the biorhythm changes in the course of life: infants are usually active early in the morning, teenagers often get up later and are awake late in the evening. In adulthood, the owl or lark type in particular determines the sleep-wake rhythm and our ability to concentrate. And in old age we tend to be fit again rather early in the morning. Overall, the biorhythm should therefore not go unnoticed for the rest of our lives if we have problems with a lack of concentration from time to time.

What are The Causes of a Lack of Concentration?

There can be many different causes for a lack of concentration – and not all of them lie with the affected patient himself. The following triggers can reduce our ability to concentrate:

• Stress/emotional burdens
• Lack of exercise
• Unhealthy diet (e.g. lack of nutrients or increased sugar consumption)
• Iron deficiency is a common cause of poor concentration, especially in women
• Circulatory or circulatory problems
• Lack of liquid
• Insomnia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Certain drugs
• Excessive consumption of stimulants such as alcohol or cigarettes
• Burnout / Depression
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Dementia
• Stroke
• Head injuries
• Poor environmental conditions, e.g. due to noise, heat, cold or light

A lack of concentration is often accompanied by other symptoms such as persistent fatigue.

When Should I Go to The Doctor with a Lack of Concentration?

If the complaints persist over a longer period of time and affect everyday life without the exact cause being known, a visit to the doctor is advisable in order to make the correct diagnosis. The doctor will mainly ask questions about lifestyle or other possible symptoms and will probably carry out a physical examination. In order to exclude certain diseases as the cause, a referral to a specialist may also be necessary.

Therapy: What Helps with a Lack of Concentration?

Depending on the diagnosis, the underlying disease is treated in the case of a lack of concentration – for example, antidepressants are prescribed for depression. If your own lifestyle is responsible for the symptoms, it should be changed. Often, more sleep and exercise, a high intake of fluids and a healthier diet help to get a grip on a lack of concentration. If you are under stress, you should make sure that you allow yourself enough rest in your private life. The following tips can also help:

• Relaxation techniques, e.g. autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or meditation
• Concentration exercises, e.g. brain jogging or crossword puzzles

Lack of Concentration in Children

Especially after school enrolment, children quickly notice existing concentration weaknesses or concentration disorders. Initially, the same tips as adults can help them to a large extent: A healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient sleep ensure good concentration. Television, smartphones and the like should not be used by children around the clock. If this does not help, the child should be examined by a doctor.

Reading tips: You now know everything you need to know about a lack of concentration. How you can increase your concentration is explained here.