My Mind Drifts Off to “Nothingness”

Reader’s Question

Within the last year, I’ve been feeling very weird. It’s as if sometimes when I am just focusing on something, my mind drifts off to “nothingness”. One second I’m trying to concentrate on something, the next second I find myself looking at nothing with a blank mind. I’m afraid that I can’t seem to concentrate in school anymore. Before, everything used to be just fine, I was actually the leading student in school, but over time, my mind is becomng this hazy substance which I can’t focus with. Sometimes, I develop minor headaches, and feel numb, but other than that, I don’t think anything else is wrong with me physically. Recently, I’ve been having family problems where my parents constantly are finding reasons to yell at me, which might be a cause of this. I’m constantly finding myself feeling sad and isolated. I’m not sure what to do. Please help.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

The most likely cause of your situation is stress and perhaps depression. Your stress and depression may be caused by a combination of school/family responsibilities, expectations, and other pressures. Poor concentration is very common and you will also find yourself experiencing the physical symptoms of stress and depression such as chronic fatigue, inability to sleep or excessive sleep, loss of motivation/interests, muscle twitches, headaches/stomachaches, and social withdrawal.

I would recommend reading about stress and depression on this website. You may also take a few of the tests for depression. If you are experiencing depression or stress, your should contact your family physician first. There are many medications that are helpful in your situation. I would also consider counseling as well as researching stress-reduction techniques. You are likely stressed due to multiple responsibilities and obligations. Managing these stressors can improve your concentration.

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