[spoiledangel2349]

I always had problems of staying focused. I can recall back at times where I would volunteer at places and I would quit. It's like I'm interested in it for one minute then it becomes boring.
It is like this at home as well. I can be on the computer doing something and I have to quit and do something else. I am planning to go help the elderly next Tuesday. I am excited about it. I love helping everybody. I am just scared that I would stay for a while then I will quit. It seems I can't stay focused on just one thing. What can I do about this? I hate this.

[(JD)]

You say "always" had problems with focus? You might be ADD. Adding in your PTSD and depression, well those can contribute to it as well (needing to move on). Depression can give the sense of boredom. PTSD can make you not want to stay in any one place, part of hypervigilance and safety.

Try changing your diet. I know it sounds simplistic, but it was (and is) one of the cheapest ways to help, and always has been. (Even in the 70s when a child was dx'd with hyperactivity, a change in diet made huge differences, without meds.

The brain needs nutrients. A high protein, lower carb, and proper vitamins and minerals... minus the sugar (and maybe even gluten?) should help. AND drink LOTS of water! Pure water, not drinks (unless it's herbal teas and such) 60 -84 oz a DAY! The brain can become dehydrated and that causes all sorts of issues ... I fill a 2 liter pitcher of water and keep it in the 'frig...and then I know at the end of the day, when it's empty, that I had enough water. (It also keeps you looking younger. )

You'll have to test the waters on caffeine... coffee, tea, soda (even clear soda has caffeine unless they so state) hyped water... etc. Sometimes taking in caffeine triggers the system to counter it and you can calm and focus, sometimes it removes all focus.

Stay away from complex meals/foods. It could very well be allergy. Try to eat basically for a week and see how you feel. Basically I mean almost plain food... no store mixes, no dumping in mass spices, no msg or nitrates/nitrites (such as in luncheon meats and hot dogs.)

Depression can also make it hard to focus. Are you apathetic when you want to "move on" to another project/person? Keep trying, stick to it and see if you can add in new interests--even with the elderly, for instance. Do you find you're okay if you're talking about yourself, or if you're NOT talking about yourself? That may be a clue too.

Good wishes on finding a solution! It takes some effort, but I think you can find at least some relief.

[Perna]

Sometimes you have to make yourself stay and do whatever you said/wanted before. I finally did that for studying/finishing college courses. Everything you do is for yourself, no one else. When you understand that, it becomes a little easier.

[RyuB]

sorry for taking this off track, but you're saying sometimes caffeine makes things *better*?

wow. i used to drink a lot of pepsi, then i quit and started drinking gatorade (1/6 the calories), i wanted to lose weight, plus my shrink is very much against caffeine.

i think i'm going to try getting some caffiene back in my diet for a couple of weeks and see if it helps.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by spoiledangel2349

I always had problems of staying focused. I can recall back at times where I would volunteer at places and I would quit. It's like I'm interested in it for one minute then it becomes boring.
It is like this at home as well. I can be on the computer doing something and I have to quit and do something else. I am planning to go help the elderly next Tuesday. I am excited about it. I love helping everybody. I am just scared that I would stay for a while then I will quit. It seems I can't stay focused on just one thing. What can I do about this? I hate this.

I have this problem and my dx was adhd and I too cant finsh a project without getting bored and not sticking to nothing but now I take adhd meds it helps a lot now that I can stick too what I have too not saying you want still get bored cause I still have my days like that .Good luck keep posting huggs

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

Hmmm....you seem to be asking a question to which a medical professional could most certainly help you with. Of course, the more you stress about not being able to focus, the more your mind will automatically go into such stress when you are trying to focus.

Have a good one.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Perna

Sometimes you have to make yourself stay and do whatever you said/wanted before. I finally did that for studying/finishing college courses. Everything you do is for yourself, no one else. When you understand that, it becomes a little easier.

This.

I think everybody gets bored with what they are doing sometimes (look at ANY university student...). Sometimes you aren't achieving the desired outcome fast enough... Self-discipline is important. Don't let yourself quit just because you are "bored" with it.

Instead of stressing over "can't focus, can't focus" try distract yourself for a little while and than go back to your what you were doing.

Not to sound too snarky...but most people are bored in their jobs more or less... I think even rockstars get bored with endless tours and recording. Can you imagine how the world would look if everybody just quit when they got bored with their projects?

[debijo]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

This.

I think everybody gets bored with what they are doing sometimes (look at ANY university student...). Sometimes you aren't achieving the desired outcome fast enough... Self-discipline is important. Don't let yourself quit just because you are "bored" with it.

Instead of stressing over "can't focus, can't focus" try distract yourself for a little while and than go back to your what you were doing.

Not to sound too snarky...but most people are bored in their jobs more or less... I think even rockstars get bored with endless tours and recording. Can you imagine how the world would look if everybody just quit when they got bored with their projects?

Your response really hit home. Thank you for your insight

[Skully]

You could have issues with ADHD (with or without hyperactivity). Or bipolar maybe? Sometimes the diagnosis go hand in hand. I would talk with your doctor about it.

[Perna]

Another way I fight boredom and lack of focus is to change whatever I'm doing to a game and make it more challenging or fun. I once had a paper I wrote but it had to include everything from the textbook chapters and I think I got a high "C" or low "B". I wanted an "A" and one could rewrite the paper as often as one wanted and get extra points each time! So I rewrote it and got a few more points and got to like the third or fourth rewrite and was truly bored and stuck but didn't have as many points as I wanted yet! What more could I say? What had I possibly missed? I couldn't plagerize, had to write everything exactly the same, but in my own words!

I spent an entire weekend and wrote the paper in verse! We're talking a ten page poem here! I got the extra 5 points for "creativity" and it was so hard to write as a poem that I really and truly learned all the points of the chapters I'd read just trying to "translate" them!

[billieJ]

Thanks for the insightful and creative responses from JD and Perna. JD seems to explain why my Dad claims relaxation from coffee drinking. Perna, what a wonderful way to approach a boring subject.