The Sneaky Pandemic! Do you even know you are a victim?
You are likely one of us currently suffering from Short Attention Span. Medical experts have a better name for it, in case the name above does not make you feel sick. It is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I think this is a better label as it makes you feel sick. As a teacher, I got familiar with the expression short attention span because we were using it frequently to judge the behavior of children in class. Little did I know it was going to be my turn later in life.
I am not a medical doctor or any expert on health issues. So, I will not pretend to tell you what this phenomenon is or how it happens and the treatment. If you need that, just read all the details at this link before you come back to this story.
I am a teacher. I no longer need the alarm clock on my smartphone to wake me up. Something in me, an internal alarm clock, wakes me up at exactly 5:30AM. I turn in bed a few times, trying to consider it a false alarm, but noise from the early morning train nearby reconfirms it is real. I close my eyes in an attempt to force myself to sleep a little bit more but there is just no sleep left. So, the next thing I do is check my phone lying on the bedside stool. Oh! 7 missed calls and 36 unread messages on WhatsApp, 2 missed calls and uncountable unread messages on WeChat, Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Tiktok, Telegram plus all my online shopping apps all showing notifications. Smart me! All notification sounds on my phone are turned off. That is how I was able to sleep.
Now I am in the toilet, sitting with my phone in hand. I am trying to brush my teeth using my right hand while browsing some unread messages using my left hand and at the same time defecate. Then it is 6 o’clock. I have brushed my teeth a bit but I haven’t successfully brushed them well. I have read some messages but I haven’t successfully read and replied to all messages. As for defecating I just didn’t, finally. That is the beginning of my typical day, full of multitasking — one of the main causes or maybe symptom of Short Attention Span and ADHD.
In today’s fast-paced world filled with endless distractions and constant stimulation, having a short attention span has become increasingly common. It is a disease and in fact a pandemic. This disease not only affects individuals, but also their relationships and work efficiency. It is a problem that is often overlooked, but its consequences can be detrimental in both personal and professional settings. While skills like multitasking are considered highly recommended modern work skills frequently mentioned on CVs, work efficiency is at risk.
Should we blame it on the prevalence of technology and social media? With smartphones, tablets, and laptops constantly at our fingertips, it is easy to become addicted to the constant influx of information and notifications. This leads to a decrease in our ability to focus on one task or conversation at a time.
Or should we blame it on our own lack of mindfulness and presence in the present moment. Many people are constantly multitasking, trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, which ultimately leads to a decrease in their ability to concentrate on any one thing. This constant state of distraction can have long-term effects on our ability to focus and pay attention.
Does it really matter what or who we blame the disease on? It is here and the number of victims is increasing by the day. Manifestations of short attention span can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include the following:
- Difficulty focusing on tasks for an extended period of time
- Constantly switching from one thing to another.
- Having the habit of starting new tasks without finishing old ones.
- Lack of attention to details.
- Feeling overwhelmed by a constant barrage of information.
- Having trouble following conversations or instructions.
- Difficulty meeting deadlines.
- Forgetfulness.
The consequences of short attention span can be far-reaching, impacting both personal relationships and work efficiency. In relationships, individuals with short attention spans may struggle to fully engage with their partners or loved ones, leading to feelings of neglect or disconnection. This can strain relationships and create unnecessary tension and conflict. If you doubt it look around you right now and see how many couples are not talking to each other but are busy browsing on their phones.
In the workplace, short attention span can have serious implications for productivity and efficiency. Employees who are unable to focus on one task at a time may struggle to meet deadlines or produce high-quality work. This can lead to decreased job satisfaction, poor performance reviews, and even job loss in extreme cases. As an employer, next time you include multitasking as a required skill on your job listing, think twice about what you are really asking for.
If we adults are victims of this modern day disease and we are not able to anything about it, how do we think our children will be any better? We need to help each other out by sharing practical tips on how to deal with this new disorder. Before big pharma suggest vaccines and drugs for us, let us share practical and more natural ways to improve on our attention disorder in the comments section. If we don’t, it will just get worse with our children.
