Why am I unable to concentrate?

Symptoms: About a month ago you experienced a very frightening event which made you feel fearful, helpless and horror stricken. You haven’t been able to concentrate since. You’ve been experiencing sleeplessness for several months now, finding it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or both. You don’t feel refreshed when you wake, you’re always tired and you can’t concentrate. For a few days every month you find you’re unable to concentrate, you’re irritable, impatient and have difficulty sleeping. It’s nearly always during the days before your period. It could be: Acute stress disorder which comes on within a month of a traumatic event such as a death of a loved one or a serious car crash. It can persist for around four weeks. Insomnia, typically caused by too much stress in your life. Chronic insomnia is defined as occurring three times a week for three months or more and occurs nearly always secondary to another problem. PMS, which affects a woman’s emotions, physical health and behaviour in the days just before menstruation because hormones slump. Stop it: See your doctor who can refer you to a psychotherapist to help control your stress but also give you medication such as an SSRI. Cognitive behavioural therapy can also help. Avoid caffeine or exercise near bedtime. Don’t read or watch TV in bed. Banish your laptop or tablet from your bedroom. Try a short course of sleeping pills. Drink plenty of fluids, eat a balanced diet, try to sleep at least eight hours a night, get lots of exercise. For painful periods take an NSAID such as naproxen as soon as you feel the first menstrual cramp.