Concussion Symptoms: Changes in Attention

What is Attention?

Attention is the ability to focus on one task, or multiple tasks, for an extended period of time despite distractions. It’s a complex process. The brain has to filter through all of the information coming in (sights, sounds, smells, etc.) to decide what’s important. Then, it ignores the unimportant information and keeps processing what is important.

Changes in attention

After brain injury, the brain is like a broken filter. It has trouble deciding what is/isn’t important. That means that the brain is trying to focus on too many things at once. Processing time is also slow. A broken filter + slowed processing speed makes the brain is easily overwhelmed. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and experiencing brain “shut down”. 

Types of attention

People usually struggle with four different types of attention.

  • Sustained: Consistent focus on a task over time (a.k.a. concentration)

  • Alternating: The ability to switch attention back and forth between different demands

  • Divided: Concentrating on more than one thing at a time

  • Selective:  The ability to focus on one thing despite multiple demands on attention.

Attention Strategies

Prepare to Attend:

·         Assure adequate sleep to support attention.

·         Make sure you are calm and focused before beginning the task.

·         Gather all of the materials/information you need for a task before you begin.

·         Sit in the front of the classroom/meeting space and have only the materials you need with you to avoid distraction.

Sustained Attention: The ability to stay focused for a long time

·         Plan to work on difficult cognitive tasks (budgeting, studying, etc.) when sharpest.

·         Alternate cognitive and physical tasks.

·         Set a timer. Don't move on to a different task until the task is finished or the timer has gone off. You may need to start in 10-15 minute increments.

·         Recognize signs of fading attention and take a break if needed. Don’t wait until you are too burned out to keep going.

·         Write down distracting thoughts in a common place so you can go back to them later. Turn off the sound on your computer and phone if you are able so you aren’t getting distracted by e-mail/text alerts. Check these in-between tasks or at a planned time if you are worried about missing something.

·         Plan to daydream. If you find yourself frequently wandering off, schedule a time in the day to let your thoughts wander and stop yourself from daydreaming other times.

·         Drink cold water, chew gum, or hold a stress ball to help you focus.

Alternating Attention: The ability to shift between tasks and manage interruptions

·         When changing tasks, verbalize what you have just finished doing and what you are going to do next.

·         If you are interrupted by something, place a visible marker where you left off in your tasks/project so it is easier to remember where you left off when you come back. You can also say out loud what you just did and what you need to do when you come back.

·         If feeling overwhelmed and thinking “what should I do next?”, refer to your daily plan to help you refocus.

Divided Attention: The ability to do two things simultaneously

·         Stick to one task at a time as opposed to juggling multiple tasks at once.

·         If you have to multi-task, do one physical task and one cognitive task (e.g., watching TV and folding laundry) instead of two physical or two cognitive tasks.

Selective Attention: The ability to work despite internal or external distractions

·         Complete cognitive activities in a quiet work area.

·         Say out loud what you are doing to bring extra focus to the task.

·         If you are feeling overwhelmed and distracted by multiple parts of a task, cover up the parts you aren’t working on to draw your attention to the task at hand.

·         Label the distractions and use self-talk to bring your focus back to the task at hand. For example, think something like, “I hear someone on the phone in the other room. I am going to ignore the phone call and focus on paying my bills instead.”  

·         Anytime you notice yourself losing focus, consciously bring your attention back to the task at hand.

·         Use relaxation techniques to manage irritation

·         Take breaks to manage your attention and irritation