Sometimes, we are focused on a topic and our mind becomes unfocused and other thoughts arise that divert us from what we were focused on. This situation can be frequent because the world we live in is full of stimuli. However, there are people who have a hard time sustaining and/or paying attention to a specific stimulus.
This lack of concentration can have various consequences that affect the development of daily activities. Having concrete and conclusive data about this problem can help us find possible solutions. In this Psychology-Online article, we will talk about aprosexia: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment.
What is aprosexia
Aprosexia is difficulty focusing attention and/or the inability to concentrate and pay attention to a certain stimulus. This clinical condition is considered an attention disorder and can be included within the group of .
Although it is true that aprosexia does not limit hyperactivity as a trait, there are some patterns that fall within the parameters exposed in the DSM-V to make a diagnosis. We see them below:
- Persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity.
- Attentional failures in completing school and/or work tasks.
- Difficulty maintaining attention in recreational activities.
- Disadvantages in the organization of spaces and times.
- Presence of symptoms before 12 years of age.
- Deterioration of work, social and family relationships.
- The alteration cannot be explained by another mental disorder and/or by taking medication.
Causes of aprosexia
Knowing the causes of aprosexia allows us to find the best strategies to address this problem. Therefore, below, we will tell you what causes aprosexia:
- Genetic factors: Genes play a transcendental role in the development of personality. In this sense, it should be noted that there are various structures of the cerebral cortex that are responsible for processing information from the environment. Therefore, if a parent suffers from aprosexia, it is possible that their offspring suffer from the same condition, since it can be transmitted through genes.
- Environmental factors: The experiences experienced in early life stages have a great influence on the construction of the personality of each individual. Here we must take into account that certain situations related to lack of attention, and verbal and/or physical abuse, can have a direct effect on a person’s inability to focus attention. Consequently, aprosexia may be a defense mechanism against psychological trauma.
Symptoms of aprosexia
When determining the diagnosis of aprosexia, it is important to know the manifestations that usually appear, both on a physical level and on an emotional and behavioral level. Next, we will list the main symptoms of aprosexia:
- Sleeping difficulties.
- Lack or inability to pay attention.
- Fatigue.
- Respiratory discomfort.
- Anxiety.
- Distress.
- .
Even so, the presence of any of these symptoms in isolation does not necessarily imply that we are facing a clinical picture of aprosexia. To determine what this problem is, the diagnosis must be made by a mental health professional who takes into account the characteristics of each patient.
Treatment of aprosexia
Fortunately, today there are methods to treat aprosexia that improve the quality of life of people who suffer from it. In the following paragraphs, we will show you the most effective treatments to address this problem:
- Psychological therapy: There are various therapeutic methods to resolve personal conflicts. In the case of aprosexia, one of the most important approaches is cognitive behavioral therapy, as it works on the person’s emotions, thoughts and behaviors that cause the symptoms mentioned above. Furthermore, this treatment provides different tools to face situations in which treatment is required in a more pleasant way.
- Pharmacology: Medications that act on the attentional levels of the human being are an effective tool to treat aprosexia. In general, the use of medication helps to focus attention and reduce distractibility, since it modifies the neuronal connections of the cerebral cortex linked to attentional capacity.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: Panamericana Medical Publishing.
Bibliography
- Mantilla, SP (2006). Neurological diseases and attention problems. Colombian Neurological Act Magazine, 22 (2), 190-194.
- Meneses, S. (2004). Attention disorders. Sinéctic Electronic Magazine, 25 (4), 67-74.