“The digital world increases distraction”

Psychologist and Psychotherapist Sümeyye Bilici stated that attention affects the quality of life and emphasized that social media increases distraction. Bilici said that 'Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder' is a common disorder in adults as well as children.

Sümeyye Bilici, co-founder of Psychogen Academy and Psychological Counseling Center, stated that 'Attention' is a critical skill to achieve success in our daily lives, whether in business, academic life, personal relationships, attention affects us and makes us productive, “Attention is a basic cognitive process that directly affects information processing, decision-making and learning. When we experience distraction, all of these processes can be disrupted, which negatively affects our overall quality of life.”

Factors affecting attention

For the most important factors affecting attention, Bilici said, “There are many factors affecting attention. If we talk about internal factors, emotional and physical conditions such as stress, anxiety, fatigue have a significant impact on our attention. Motivation also plays a big role; if you are not motivated towards the work or activity you are doing, it can be very difficult to pay attention. As for external factors, I can say that environmental stimuli are quite effective. Technology can provide both advantages and disadvantages in this sense. Social media and push notifications tend to constantly distract us, but they can also be useful as tools that increase focus and productivity when used correctly.”

The effect of virtual environment on attention

Emphasizing that the digital world increases distraction, Psychologist and Psychotherapist Sümeyye Bilici, co-founder of Psychogen Academy and Psychological Counseling Center, said, “The digital world, especially social media and our devices that are always on, distract us. Notifications every few minutes, the habit of checking our phones frequently and the rapid flow of information cause our brains to constantly respond to new stimuli. This makes it difficult to focus deeply and continuously. Especially young individuals may have shorter attention spans due to these digital habits.”

Attention deficit and hyperactivity

Bilici finally said the following: “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders that come to mind when we talk about attention. In our center, we especially emphasize this issue because it is both common and reduces the quality of life. ADHD is a disorder that affects adults as well as children. It is commonly thought as if it only exists in children, but this is a misconception. People with ADHD show symptoms such as inability to sustain attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This leads to significant difficulties in school, work and social life. In the treatment of ADHD, behavioral therapies and in some cases medication are generally recommended. However, what is important here is to approach this condition meticulously at the diagnosis stage. It is healthiest to make a diagnosis after an accurate clinical evaluation and testing.”