What Are the Symptoms of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo?

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a condition that shares many traits with the attention-deficit subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An individual with SCT will struggle to pay attention and focus, but they have a lower likelihood of impulsive behavior and hyperactivity than individuals with the hyperactive subtype of ADHD. Sluggish cognitive tempo was originally identified in the middle of the 1980s, but researchers are still working on a concrete definition and understanding of what causes it. Some groups of researchers refer to SCT as concentration deficit disorder. The symptoms can present in a number of different ways, but they commonly center around difficulty focusing, an inability to pay attention, and a mental disconnect from the world.

Not Able To Process Information Quickly

Sluggish cognitive tempo patients are often not able to process information quickly. A neurotypical individual can usually take in information said to them or written down. They then process and respond to it in a matter of seconds, or sometimes even less than seconds. By contrast, someone with SCT needs to take longer to process information. They may need to have instructions repeated or reread information multiple times. Sometimes the information won't sink in after multiple readings, and the person may need to break it down piece by piece to understand it. This happens especially with large blocks of text and very detailed audio instructions. There's a struggle to encode the information to memory and understand it.

Frequent Daydreams

Individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo often have frequent daydreams. These daydreams may occur frequently enough to interfere with social and productive functioning. They may not even intend to begin daydreaming. Someone with SCT might slip into ongoing daydreams without meaning to and subsequently miss important information. They may not process what's being said to them, what they're reading, or other important data about their surroundings.

The daydreams may be extremely vivid, or they may be more laid-back imaginings. Sluggish cognitive tempo patients may not have trouble using their imaginations and fantasizing, but it might be difficult to translate that imagination to creative endeavors like drawing or writing. These efforts require a level of concentration that's difficult for those with SCT to achieve.

Presence Of Anxiety Or Depression

The presence of anxiety or depression is extremely common in individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo. It's possible that the same neurochemical imbalance that causes depression and anxiety can also contribute to SCT. Researchers have documented that depression causes a loss of concentration, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty paying attention to the surrounding world. On the other hand, sluggish cognitive tempo might also cause depression or anxiety to develop due to environmental factors.

SCT patients struggle to pay attention and to perform well in school, work, social relationships, and other activities. They may not understand why they don't have the same level of concentration or processing as their neurotypical peers. There's also often difficulty in maintaining social relationships with sluggish cognitive tempo. These factors can cause anxiety and depression to develop because of feelings of inadequacy, anxiety about social situations, and exhaustion from trying to concentrate.

Little Interest In Physical Activity

Some sluggish cognitive tempo patients have little interest in physical activity. It's not widely understood what causes this, though the main theory is that SCT causes lethargy, exhaustion, and a general decrease in focus. When the brain has to struggle to keep up with conversation or complete tasks, it can lead to chronic mental fatigue. This mental fatigue may translate into physical fatigue and disinterest in physical movement.

By contrast, individuals with hyperactive ADHD tend to move frequently and show large amounts of physical energy. Even though sluggish cognitive tempo may make physical activity seem unappealing, studies indicate regular exercise is helpful in combating the condition's chronic tiredness. Exercise can also help alleviate symptoms of depression and increase self-esteem.

Distracted Or Confused Easily

Like ADHD patients, individuals with sluggish cognitive tempo often become distracted or confused easily. Neurotypical individuals can usually follow through and concentrate on a task for a certain period. In the average neurotypical individual, concentration lasts about forty-five minutes before a break is necessary. However, SCT patients might be distracted by any new sensory input like new sounds, overheard conversations, smells, sights, and feelings. Even in distraction-free environments, they might become distracted by their own thoughts. This can be extremely frustrating because the brain often doesn't retain information like a neurotypical individual's.

Instead of returning from the distraction to the task like there wasn't an interruption, someone with sluggish cognitive tempo may struggle to remember what they were doing or where they were in a task. Confusion also occurs often and easily because of how those with SCT struggle to process information as quickly as their peers. They may become lost, especially when trying to follow fast-paced conversations, complicated thought processes, or extremely detailed instructions.