Medically reviewed by Ifeanyi Olele, DO, MBA, MS on January 31, 2023
Having trouble concentrating may mean you’re less able to make decisions, meet your goals, and remember important information. If it happens regularly, this can have a real impact on your schoolwork, professional life, and personal life.
Difficulty concentrating is one of the most common symptoms in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), especially in conditions that affect your mood and anxiety levels.
There are many ways to improve your concentration. For some people, this means making more time for sleep and self-care. Depending on the cause, some may benefit from mental health treatments, such as therapy or medication.
1. ADHD

Having trouble concentrating is one of the main symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common mental health conditions. ADHD can affect adults and children but is more often identified in children.
People with the inattentive type of ADHD have difficulty paying attention, concentrating, and following instructions. Those with the hyperactive type are overly active and impulsive, finding it hard to sit still. Both forms can get in the way of your ability to concentrate.
Other symptoms of ADHD include:
- being easily distracted
- being unable to complete tasks
- interrupting conversations
- difficulty thinking clearly
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is an outdated term for ADHD. The change happened in 2013 with the release of the DSM-5.
Treatments for ADHD
Treatment for ADHD includes lifestyle strategies, therapy, and medication.
Lifestyle strategies that can help you manage symptoms of ADHD are:
- getting enough sleep
- exercising regularly
- eating a balanced diet
A healthcare professional may recommend therapy to treat your ADHD symptoms, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Along with lifestyle factors and therapy, they may also prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms, which often helps improve your concentration. ADHD medications are classed as stimulants and nonstimulants.
Stimulant medications for ADHD include:
- amphetamine (Adderall)
- methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- protriptyline (Vivactil)
Nonstimulant medications for ADHD include:
- atomoxetine (Strattera)
- clonidine ER (Kapvay)
- guanfacine ER (Intuniv)
You can learn more about ADHD treatment options here.
2. Anxiety or depression
Difficulty focusing and thinking clearly is a common symptom of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders. This is sometimes called brain fog.
A 2017 study found that 90% of people with generalized anxiety disorder experienced trouble focusing. They tended to have more trouble concentrating when their worry levels were high.
Other symptoms of anxiety include:
- fatigue
- feeling restless or nervous
- irritability
- sleep problems
Treatments for anxiety
If you live with anxiety, receiving treatment that helps you manage your anxiety may also improve your concentration.
Treatments for anxiety include:
- Therapy: Psychotherapy like CBT for anxiety can help you recognize thought patterns. It can help you learn coping methods to disrupt these patterns and relieve symptoms of anxiety.
- Lifestyle strategies: Regular exercise, meditation, and journaling can help relieve anxiety.
- Medication: Common anxiety medications include beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).