Staying focused

**Valigarmander** · 05-18-2011, 09:01 PM

I have a difficult time paying attention. I can't read or write extensively if there's noise around me, like a TV or people talking. If I'm not able to ignore the noise, I have to go somewhere quiet to work. Even if I do get somewhere quiet to read or write or get something else done, I still end up getting distracted by my thoughts. I might start thinking about what I'm going to do later, or the layout of one of my comics, or arguments about some political issue, or some other tangent my mind goes on. I could be reading a book, and come across a passage that sparks some random discursion in my head, and I end up spending five minutes trying to read one page, which I could potentially read in one minute.

This makes it difficult for me to do important things like reading assignments or tests for my classes, or mundane things like typing a well thought-out forum post. I guess this has been a problem for me most of my life, but I've only been conscious of it for the last few years. It feels like my thoughts are always bouncing around in my head like balls in a pachinko machine during an earthquake, and whenever there's a lot of noise or distractions around me it all blends together and I have an even worse time trying clear my head.

Does anyone here know what I'm talking about? Is there anything I can do to improve this, or will I just have to deal with it the way I have been?

(My brother's watching TV in the same room. I spent 30 minutes typing this post out.)

1-up Salesman · 05-18-2011, 09:11 PM

For one, just try. I know, that won't necessarily work.

Try always having your Ipod/mp3player/whatever with you and have music going, unless that will distract you as well. You could try making a playlist of calm music and turn it up loud enough to block out the outside.

More advice when I think of more.

ZeldaGirl · 05-18-2011, 09:16 PM

Attention Deficit Disorder, or perhaps Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder? Have you ever seen a health professional about this? It's pretty common, and there are certain medications you can take that will help improve your focus. I'd definitely look into if I were you.

**Valigarmander** · 05-18-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-up Salesman

For one, just try. I know, that won't necessarily work.

I've tried trying. It doesn't always work as well as I'd like, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-up Salesman

Try always having your Ipod/mp3player/whatever with you and have music going, unless that will distract you as well. You could try making a playlist of calm music and turn it up loud enough to block out the outside.

I've tried that too. I have a lot of calm music that I like to listen to, but unfortunately even that seems to distract me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGirl

Attention Deficit Disorder, or perhaps Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder? Have you ever seen a health professional about this? It's pretty common, and there are certain medications you can take that will help improve your focus. I'd definitely look into if I were you.

I've wondered about ADD before, but I've never seen a professional about it. I might do some more research about that.

1-up Salesman · 05-18-2011, 09:38 PM

ZG's got some pretty good advice. I'm going to go ahead and say that if you stop trying, you're not going to get anywhere. I perfectly understand that it seems "hopeless", though. Seeing a professional would definitely be a good idea.

If you need to focus, try going into a room where no one else is around, and where there isn't much that will distract you.

Dizzy · 05-18-2011, 10:38 PM

My mom has the same problem, she finds it hard to pay attention to more than one thing at a time.

As for actual advice or support, I'm useless there. :/

CuccoLady · 05-19-2011, 12:33 AM

I know exactly what you're talking about. For me personally it's on a smaller scale, but every single thing you've mentioned I have experienced in the exact way you mentioned.

Usually what I do-- not that it really helps all that much-- is that when I'm trying to read something, like a question on a test that has a paragraph of text, if I'm having trouble actually reading along with my BRAIN rather than just my eyes [because the darn thing keeps getting distracted], I'll try reading it aloud/mouthing it so I force more than just my eyes to be focused on the material. Usually I still have to read it a few times before I actually PAY ATTENTION to it rather than just look at the words, though.

Other than that, I guess what ZG said. Because for me, I have the exact same problem, but it seems to be to a lesser extent so it doesn't interfere with my ability to work as much. If that post took you 30 minutes, I say try looking into it more/seeing a professional.

But do know that you are not alone x{D

Kargath · 05-19-2011, 08:00 AM

Focused concentration on a thinking-centric activity is one of the hardest things to do as a human. Being unable to concentrate when being distracted is normal, not a sign of ADHD. EG: Noise in an office is known to cut productivity by 30%+.

The solution is to remove the stimuli. Buy a pair of earmuffs (or active-noise-cancelling earphones). Face yourself away from the other screen. Don't listen to music with lyrics in it - avoid triggering your speech processing centres.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 05-19-2011, 08:21 AM

Dude, some people just aren't built for the books. I bet you have no trouble focusing on hands-on tasks, yeah? There's a lot of interest being invested into how often the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is just doctors/society not accepting some people are geared towards being active and hands-on and not just sitting and reading/writing/focusing on intangible information. It really isn't likely to be a "condition" you're suffering, it's just that evolutionarily, you'd be the one running around outside hunting down dinner, and you're absolutely made to be aware of everything around you.

Karg's advice is probably the best things you can do if you're interested in sticking with your book learning. If you can adapt your learning to suit your own needs, then you'll be on a good track, but that isn't always possible.

***Cosmonautical*** · 05-19-2011, 08:33 AM

Interruptions like television piss me off to no end. They make it impossible to focus on what I want, and overall stress me out.

School and classes generally contain interesting information, but present it in a way that is not stimulating. I once had a counselor ask me why I wasn't trying harder in class, and I told her that the class was unengaging, uninteresting. She asked if we could find some way to make me interested. The information and how you understand it depend heavily on how it is presented to you. Monotonous, direct literature doesn't help much. Information is best absorbed in addition to entertainment.

Antisocial · 05-19-2011, 12:04 PM

As someone who's actually been diagnosed with ADD and went through the medication for almost ten years to "treat" it, I can relate to every single thing you mentioned. I say it's all just a matter of self-discipline because I felt the drugs did nothing but went with it anyway, since I didn't know any better.

The pills did make a good appetite suppressant, though.

***CaptHayfever*** · 05-19-2011, 01:12 PM

I kinda have the opposite problem: Unless I'm composing music (so background noise becomes downright antithetical), silence is when I'm least productive. I need some sound going on, preferably electronic, to focus on producing anything.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Dizzy · 05-19-2011, 02:45 PM

I agree. I almost always have music playing when I'm on VGF. Failing that, I'll turn on the TV in the other room.

05-18-2011, 09:01 PM	#1
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Staying focused I have a difficult time paying attention. I can't read or write extensively if there's noise around me, like a TV or people talking. If I'm not able to ignore the noise, I have to go somewhere quiet to work. Even if I do get somewhere quiet to read or write or get something else done, I still end up getting distracted by my thoughts. I might start thinking about what I'm going to do later, or the layout of one of my comics, or arguments about some political issue, or some other tangent my mind goes on. I could be reading a book, and come across a passage that sparks some random discursion in my head, and I end up spending five minutes trying to read one page, which I could potentially read in one minute. This makes it difficult for me to do important things like reading assignments or tests for my classes, or mundane things like typing a well thought-out forum post. I guess this has been a problem for me most of my life, but I've only been conscious of it for the last few years. It feels like my thoughts are always bouncing around in my head like balls in a pachinko machine during an earthquake, and whenever there's a lot of noise or distractions around me it all blends together and I have an even worse time trying clear my head. Does anyone here know what I'm talking about? Is there anything I can do to improve this, or will I just have to deal with it the way I have been? (My brother's watching TV in the same room. I spent 30 minutes typing this post out.)

05-19-2011, 12:04 PM	#11
Antisocial Janitor Join Date: May 2000 Gender: Posts: 11,471 Thanks: 14 Thanked 1,296 Times in 536 Posts	I think it's all just--HEY LOOK A BUTTERFLY As someone who's actually been diagnosed with ADD and went through the medication for almost ten years to "treat" it, I can relate to every single thing you mentioned. I say it's all just a matter of self-discipline because I felt the drugs did nothing but went with it anyway, since I didn't know any better. The pills did make a good appetite suppressant, though.

05-18-2011, 09:11 PM	#2
1-up Salesman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Letting you guys know that I'm planning on continuing Attack of the Spammers soon. Gender: Posts: 4,095 Thanks: 2,162 Thanked 250 Times in 194 Posts Blog Entries: 9	For one, just try. I know, that won't necessarily work. Try always having your Ipod/mp3player/whatever with you and have music going, unless that will distract you as well. You could try making a playlist of calm music and turn it up loud enough to block out the outside. More advice when I think of more.

05-18-2011, 09:16 PM	#3
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,896 Thanks: 1,130 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,046 Posts	Attention Deficit Disorder, or perhaps Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder? Have you ever seen a health professional about this? It's pretty common, and there are certain medications you can take that will help improve your focus. I'd definitely look into if I were you.

05-18-2011, 09:38 PM	#5
1-up Salesman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Letting you guys know that I'm planning on continuing Attack of the Spammers soon. Gender: Posts: 4,095 Thanks: 2,162 Thanked 250 Times in 194 Posts Blog Entries: 9	ZG's got some pretty good advice. I'm going to go ahead and say that if you stop trying, you're not going to get anywhere. I perfectly understand that it seems "hopeless", though. Seeing a professional would definitely be a good idea. If you need to focus, try going into a room where no one else is around, and where there isn't much that will distract you.

05-18-2011, 10:38 PM	#6
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	My mom has the same problem, she finds it hard to pay attention to more than one thing at a time. As for actual advice or support, I'm useless there. :/

05-19-2011, 12:33 AM	#7
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	I know exactly what you're talking about. For me personally it's on a smaller scale, but every single thing you've mentioned I have experienced in the exact way you mentioned. Usually what I do-- not that it really helps all that much-- is that when I'm trying to read something, like a question on a test that has a paragraph of text, if I'm having trouble actually reading along with my BRAIN rather than just my eyes [because the darn thing keeps getting distracted], I'll try reading it aloud/mouthing it so I force more than just my eyes to be focused on the material. Usually I still have to read it a few times before I actually PAY ATTENTION to it rather than just look at the words, though. Other than that, I guess what ZG said. Because for me, I have the exact same problem, but it seems to be to a lesser extent so it doesn't interfere with my ability to work as much. If that post took you 30 minutes, I say try looking into it more/seeing a professional. But do know that you are not alone x{D

05-19-2011, 08:00 AM	#8
Kargath et in Arcadia ego Join Date: Jul 2001 Gender: Posts: 8,334 Thanks: 1,226 Thanked 780 Times in 488 Posts	Focused concentration on a thinking-centric activity is one of the hardest things to do as a human. Being unable to concentrate when being distracted is normal, not a sign of ADHD. EG: Noise in an office is known to cut productivity by 30%+. The solution is to remove the stimuli. Buy a pair of earmuffs (or active-noise-cancelling earphones). Face yourself away from the other screen. Don't listen to music with lyrics in it - avoid triggering your speech processing centres.

05-19-2011, 08:21 AM	#9
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,504 Thanks: 1,658 Thanked 1,820 Times in 1,042 Posts	Dude, some people just aren't built for the books. I bet you have no trouble focusing on hands-on tasks, yeah? There's a lot of interest being invested into how often the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is just doctors/society not accepting some people are geared towards being active and hands-on and not just sitting and reading/writing/focusing on intangible information. It really isn't likely to be a "condition" you're suffering, it's just that evolutionarily, you'd be the one running around outside hunting down dinner, and you're absolutely made to be aware of everything around you. Karg's advice is probably the best things you can do if you're interested in sticking with your book learning. If you can adapt your learning to suit your own needs, then you'll be on a good track, but that isn't always possible.

05-19-2011, 08:33 AM	#10
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,102 Thanks: 2,157 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Interruptions like television piss me off to no end. They make it impossible to focus on what I want, and overall stress me out. School and classes generally contain interesting information, but present it in a way that is not stimulating. I once had a counselor ask me why I wasn't trying harder in class, and I told her that the class was unengaging, uninteresting. She asked if we could find some way to make me interested. The information and how you understand it depend heavily on how it is presented to you. Monotonous, direct literature doesn't help much. Information is best absorbed in addition to entertainment.

05-19-2011, 01:12 PM	#12
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,661 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	I kinda have the opposite problem: Unless I'm composing music (so background noise becomes downright antithetical), silence is when I'm least productive. I need some sound going on, preferably electronic, to focus on producing anything. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

05-19-2011, 02:45 PM	#13
Dizzy Podiaphobe Join Date: Oct 2007 Gender: Posts: 19,359 Thanks: 1,764 Thanked 1,162 Times in 805 Posts Blog Entries: 116	I agree. I almost always have music playing when I'm on VGF. Failing that, I'll turn on the TV in the other room.