What causes poor attention to detail?

All people can experience poor attention to detail or have trouble focusing sometimes. Some contributing factors may include: • being hungry • being tired or having poor-quality sleep • being stressed • feeling worried or anxious • being distracted by something in your environment Sometimes, managing the cause of your inability to focus can help resolve the issue. But if you often experience poor attention to detail or have difficulty staying engaged in tasks that require your full attention, it may be a symptom of another condition. These may include: • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • anxiety • depression • autism • learning disorders like dyslexia • conditions that affect the quality of your sleep, like insomnia or sleep apnea • conditions that cause fatigue, like hypothyroidism • post-traumatic stress disorder • concentration deficit disorder Doctors may also want to rule out conditions such as hearing loss and developmental disorders in children. If your difficulties staying focused result from a condition, a healthcare professional can help you find a treatment that may improve your focus.