Can Puberty Cause a Lack of Concentration?

Developing Brains

• As children and pre-teens experience the onset of puberty, they encounter a heavy dose of hormonal changes that often result in moodiness, irritability and absentmindedness. Their brains are still immature so they don't know how to manage the physical and emotional changes that often result in concentration issues. Children and pre-teens don't always have the mental capability to separate their feelings from their actions and often forget, neglect or overlook important details that require concentration. A lack of concentration is part of the puberty package.

Changes in Motivation

• The onset of puberty heavily influences children's and teen's interests, drives and motivations. Children who were once interested in juvenile games, same-sex friendships and gender-neutral activities are suddenly interested in connecting with members of the opposite sex. Their hormones are on overdrive, so they often lack concentration because they are preoccupied with finding a sexual partner, discovering all they can about the opposite sex or fantasizing about how they might connect with someone on a sexual level.

Increased Responsibilities

• As children and teens experience puberty, they are flooded with emotions, impulses and sexual feelings and are often forced to take on more responsibility at the same time. Parents might ask them to babysit a younger sibling, help with yard work, take on leadership roles in school or on sports teams, get a part-time job such as delivering papers, or encounter advanced academic coursework. Due to the hormonal changes, most would rather attend social parties, text members of the opposite sex or daydream about pretty girls and handsome guys than fulfill their responsibilities. The result is a hodgepodge of emotions and expectations that are difficult to manage, organize and satisfy. As a result, they may experience concentration issues.

Interest in Body Image

• It's no surprise that puberty unleashes an interest in body changes that occur during the journey to sexual maturity. Pre-teens and teens suddenly have a strong curiosity about their physical developments and how those developments appeal to members of the opposite sex. Girls often find ways to show off their increasingly feminine body shapes and boys attempt to flaunt their increased muscle mass. The hormonal changes create a huge distraction for pre-teens and teens who can't concentrate on their schoolwork or chores because they're thinking of the cute boy in class or the friendly neighbor girl next door. Poor concentration is often a side effect of puberty because passionate feelings are difficult to ignore.