Brain fog, fuzziness, drawing a blank–there are many ways to describe the lack of focus that plagues a person when they’re tired, stressed out, or feeling ill. However, there are myriad reasons one might experience a lack of focus and concentration, one of them being ADHD. Explore the potential reasons you may not be able to concentrate, the many effects a lack of focus may have on your life, and how to get help.
Why Am I Unable to Concentrate?
From conditions like ADHD, which affects an estimated 6.1 million children and 4.4 percent of adults in the U.S., to exhaustion and stress, there are many factors that may be causing your inability to concentrate. Anxiety is another common culprit.1 According to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York City-based neuropsychologist, anxiety and stress interfere with your ability to focus on the present moment “because more cognitive energy is devoted to anxiety instead of the working memory.”2
Here are some of the most common reasons you may be experiencing brain fog and lack of focus:
- ADHD
- Fatigue (and poor sleeping habits)
- Alcohol use
- Hunger
- Anxiety and stress
- Excessive screen use
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of exercise
- Hormonal changes3
- Dehydration4
There are also a number of medical conditions, from having a concussion to epilepsy, that can cause a lack of concentration and focus. We’ll discuss these more in depth in the next section.
Lack of Concentration Caused By Medical Conditions
From head injuries to epilepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome, a lack of focus may also be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. If you suspect your brain fog is associated with one of these conditions, it is highly recommended that you consult your physician:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Concussion
- Epilepsy
- Alcohol abuse disorder
- Cushing syndrome
- Mental disorders like bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD
- Allergies or infections like common colds and flus
- Seizure disorders
- Sleep apnea
It is also possible that brain fog and lack of concentration may also be a side effect of certain medications, including anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. Some reports also show that COVID-19 has caused lasting neurological conditions in some patients, with brain fog affecting 81 percent of survey respondents.5
Brain Fog, Lack of Focus, & Overall Health
The effects that brain fog and lack of focus have on your overall health and lifestyle vary person to person depending on the severity of your condition. From problems at work or school to physical ailments like lack of sleep, these effects include:
- Forgetfulness
- Inability to complete tasks or taking too long to complete them
- Impeded learning
- Feeling frequently distracted
- Tiredness (or inability to sleep)
- Confusion
- Lack of motivation
What You Should Do Next
From integrating healthy lifestyle changes to taking medication, there are a number of action steps you can take to banish brain fog and improve your concentration and mental clarity. Brillia is one option, a non-prescription homeopathic medication designed to improve focus and reduce common symptoms associated with ADHD, such as restlessness, irritability, and impulsivity. It has also been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety, which may also contribute to brain fog.
The active ingredient in Brillia are antibodies to the brain-specific S100 protein (S100B), an important regulator of various different intracellular and extracellular brain processes. There are no harsh chemicals used in Brillia, which means you will not experience harmful side effects and it can be safely taken in conjunction with other medications as there are no contraindications. You can use Brillia without any official diagnosis from a doctor and it is gluten free, soy free, and does not contain any added sugars, colors or flavors. Brillia works best in combination with healthy lifestyle factors referred to as the 5-Pillar approach, which involves following a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing mindfulness, and controlling screen time. Ensuring you are getting plenty of exercise, drinking enough water, and ruling out serious medical conditions are also important steps if you find that brain fog is interfering with your daily life. Find out more about how Brillia works to improve focus and concentration for children and adults.
References: 1https://www.additudemag.com/statistics-of-adhd/, 2https://www.communitypsychiatry.com/have-brain-fog-heres-how-to-feel-more-like-yourself-according-to-experts/, 3https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause-and-memory-loss, 4https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6603652/, 5https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-fog-other-neurologic-symptoms-can-last-months-after-covid-n1261810
