Why can't I focus on more than one thing at a time?

[SeanshterMonster]

Whenever I focus on one thing it's like everything else is a blur in my head. When I have to focus on like 4 diffrent things when I look at one it's like the rest disappear from my mind. Which makes it hard to do multi tasking, and I tend to not do the last step in a process or miss information that was obvious to others. And when I focus on one thing, if I have a list or even if I know I needed to do stuff before the final thing, my mind will focus on the final thing and I'll forget to do the steps in between. It's completely infuriating and I hate myself for it, others notice it and they get frustrated with me. I don't know what's wrong with me?

[lightbulb27]

I'm like that. I used to be able to jump around when I was younger. Are you saying you could multi task at one point but can't now?

I think it's signs of stress... hypothalamus is maxed and short memory. Long term stress and lack of sleep will "whack" the brain and cause brain damage over time. Concussions will as well.

That said... you can only really do one thing at a time and may just be how your brain is designed. Some people, generally females but I've seen males do it, can multi task and move between tasks effectively with ease. others... it's hard. It's how the brain is wired for that person... e. g. Einstein could do stuff I could not. Releasing emotional stress load will free up space. Doing things that require a lot of focus is probably therapuetic... do that... e. g. mountain biking is cardio and focus.

What you can do is work on your brain, stress, memory... by meditating to offload stress, doing memory exercises. Get good sleep, exercise, nutrition. My guess is long term memory is good but short term needs work.
Beyond that, you need to study brain science and see what you can find.

you could get evaluated to see if you have some acronym problem. If you do, you can research how to work on that issue, possibly medicate to calm your brain although I don't like med approach myself.

[Sevenpointfive]

it helps to fully know the steps of every task before you tackle them all at once. master tasks 1-4 alone before you try to combine them all at once?

[WhatTheHeckkkk]

Sounds like ADHD to me… The inattentive part of ADHD.
(Note: ADHD doesn’t always mean you’re off the walls hyper, a lot of people have inattentive ADHD which affects their focus)


I suggest you go to a doctor or psychiatrist, have them test you and see if it is inattentive ADHD. They can prescribe you medication for it; but alway try to get tested, don’t self diagnose.


Try drinking coffee or something that has caffeine. It might help you. It helps me, it makes me focus on one thing at a time, or help me multitask

[WhatTheHeckkkk]

Also, don’t get frustrated with yourself. It happens. You aren’t doing anything wrong, and nothing is wrong with you. It’s just how your brain is wired, and it’s how so many other peoples brains are wired as well. You know, ADHD is very common, especially in men… And it can go undiagnosed for years and years.

I’ve dealt with it too. Adulting, school, organizing, work, and overall life is difficult because my my ADHD, I am very “slow” when it comes to things like you mentioned, but the right medication and accommodations are a godsend…

Again, I suggest you just get tested. Talk to your parents or get ahold of your doctor and ask about a psychiatrist. Have them test you for it, because I immediately recognized those same feelings. Get tested for it!!!

[SeanshterMonster]

Thank you. I might, I just don't want to excuse it for something and medicate myself for it (thats prob just my Dad talking though me. He doesn't like medication at all and he things ADHD is just lack of self-discipline, his view might have changed over time but I just havnt talked to him about it.). And getting tested sounds expensive.

[Jadethedream]

I struggle myself