Attention Sappers: 5 Reasons You Can't Concentrate

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Technology overload

Your BlackBerry, computer, cell phone, and iPod all compete for your attention—no wonder you're distracted! To a certain point, your brain can act as secretary, keeping you organized and helping with time management. But the more multitasking you try to do, the harder it is for you to stay focused on any single task, research shows. Learning basic organizational skills, like writing down responsibilities and maintaining a day planner, can help alleviate these problems. So can taking a break from constant television, Internet, and email inundation—or setting house rules about technology-free times after dinner or before bed, for example.

See your doc if: You consistently find yourself being pulled away from important tasks and not being able to get back to them, and you can remember being this way for most of your adult life—with or without the help of the Internet or a cell phone. When the brain's not functioning properly, you can't bounce from task to task without being easily distracted by thoughts or background activities, says Dr. Wilens.

Next: Lack of sleep