When you can’t focus or get started
Almost everyone has days when focus slips. When it becomes the norm, with tasks piling up, constant procrastination, losing your train of thought or feeling unable to start even things you care about, it is worth looking deeper. Problems with focus and motivation are symptoms, and they usually have identifiable causes that can be treated.
Common reasons focus and motivation drop
- ADHD, in children and adults, including people diagnosed late. See ADHD support and adult ADHD signs often missed.
- Depression, which reduces energy, interest and the ability to start tasks. See depression.
- Anxiety, which pulls attention toward worry and makes concentration hard. See anxiety.
- Poor or irregular sleep. See sleep and insomnia.
- Burnout and chronic stress. See stress and burnout.
- Screen overuse and constant notifications that fragment attention. See screen dependency.
- Physical factors such as low iron, vitamin B12 or thyroid problems, and blood sugar swings from irregular meals. See fatigue and brain fog.
- Substances, including heavy cannabis or alcohol use.
How we help
Finding the real driver
We take a careful history, screen for ADHD, mood and anxiety conditions, review sleep, screens, diet and substances, and order targeted labs when they would change the plan. Our Biopsych Assessment brings all of this into one written plan.
Practical strategies
We build systems that work with your brain: breaking tasks into small first steps, external reminders, body doubling, time blocking, managing notifications and setting up the environment for focus.
Restoring the foundations
Consistent sleep, regular meals with protein, physical activity and daylight improve attention and energy. We also correct deficiencies identified on testing. See nutritional psychiatry.
Treating underlying conditions
When ADHD, depression or anxiety is the main driver, we treat it directly with therapy, lifestyle support and, when appropriate, medication in coordination with other prescribers. See holistic ADHD treatment.
Our providers are licensed naturopathic physicians and mental health counselors led by Dr. Koichi Tanji, ND, LMHC. In Washington, controlled substances such as ADHD stimulants and benzodiazepines are outside naturopathic prescribing scope, so when one is part of the right plan we coordinate with your prescribing physician or nurse practitioner.
Students and professionals
We see many students and professionals whose focus held up until demands increased: a new job, a promotion, college, a new baby or remote work. Understanding why focus has slipped makes it possible to fix rather than just push harder.
Getting started
We see patients in person at 2135 112th Ave NE, Suite 201, Bellevue, and by secure telehealth anywhere in Washington. We are in-network with Premera, Regence, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna and Kaiser PPO. Most people begin with our Biopsych Assessment. Book online or call (425) 278-6166.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
