Working from home, which can be very productive, is no longer an occasional assignment, but the new normal for today’s post-COVID-19 workforce. This new reality has led to a loss of focus, less structure throughout the work-day, and diminished social interactions among many people.
What used to be a day filled with face-to-face meetings and focused group gatherings has now become marathons of staring into computer screens. The constant barrage of emails, GIFs and chats, combined with the ability to surf the internet are contributing to a lack of focus.
COVID-19’s impact on our mental health should not be dismissed. The stress, burnout and anxiety related to living in a pandemic after more than two years has now led to more attention problems among some adults, and not just children.
“It’s important for people to recognize if their attention problem is brand new as an adult, it’s unlikely to be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD,” said Dr. Ashley Zucker, a Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, headquartered in Pasadena. “There are many organizational and focusing techniques that people can work on. Keeping a steady schedule, creating a visual separation between work and home, getting up and getting dressed, etc., are good steps to take.”
If a lack of focus persists, it’s important to identify whether ADHD is the source, Dr. Zucker notes. Attention problems can also be the result of other medical or mental health conditions. They include thyroid disfunction, anxiety, depression and more. Dr. Zucker recommends contacting your doctor or mental health provider to perform a diagnosis if the inability to focus persists.
“It’s imperative to be fully assessed for all medical and mental health concerns and to work with your doctor on the best treatment regimen,” Dr. Zucker said. “With proper medication or behavioral therapy, ADHD can be controlled very well.”
