"Do I have ADHD?" Other Reasons why You Might not be able to Focus
“Do I have ADHD?” The question is one that’s been getting a lot of traction recently, but distractions to our attention seem to be everywhere. Here are some of the things you need to rule out before assuming inattention is due to ADHD:
1 - Are you keeping yourself healthy? Certain conditions can make inattention worse, especially when those conditions are combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices. Ask yourself the following questions:
Are you aware of your physical health status? Conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiencies, iron-deficiency anemia, perimenopause, and chronic kidney or liver diseases are some of the conditions that can contribute to limited attention, concentration and/or discipline.
Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep deprivation and Circadian Rhythm disruption can affect your ability to concentrate on tasks.
Are you getting enough nutrients? Micronutrient deficiencies have been shown to impair attention and concentration.
Are you limiting your screen time? Social media algorithms light up the reward center in the brain for each instance of new information, creating constant attention switching which is difficult to turn off. In other words, by continuing to use social media, you are training your brain to have a short attention span.
Are you abstaining from using drugs? Drugs like alcohol and cannabis impair the nerve connections in the brain that contribute to attention, limiting your working memory, cognitive flexibility, and decision making.
2 - What about mental health? Almost all psychiatric conditions can contribute to limited cognitive and executive functioning, such as: major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and PTSD and trauma-related disorders, to name a few. A well-trained clinician will also ask for evidence of a diagnosis in childhood. The reason for this is that to date there have been no controlled, isolated studies which confirm the formation of ADHD later in life.
If you’re able to, visit a qualified psychiatrist to rule out potential psychiatric conditions which might be limiting your attention.
3 - What does your context look like? Here is a list of contextual issues which might be limiting your ability to concentrate:
Chronic stress
Social isolation and loneliness
Occupational burnout
Grief and bereavement
Discrimination and racism
Socioeconomic disadvantage
Workplace boredom
Workplace stress
The increasing and unreasonable demands of the modern workplace
Often these contextual issues are out of our control, but all of them can increase our stress. Make sure that you acknowledge that these factors impact you, and take some time to address how you feel about them. If these factors are increasingly intrusive in your life, consider speaking with a mental health professional.
If you are having thoughts of harming or killing yourself, you can access the suicide hotline at 988 and/or call 911 or bring yourself to the nearest emergency room.
It is important to remember that inattention is caused by many different issues within our lives. Make sure you seek a provider who is a well-trained physician, able to fully examine all the reasons you might be experiencing inattention.
