attentional control theory

Attentional control theory explains how our ability to focus and manage our attention is influenced by our emotions, particularly anxiety. When we're anxious, our brain's worry system becomes more active, which can make it harder to concentrate and filter out distractions. This shift reduces our capacity to stay focused on tasks and can increase the influence of irrelevant, distracting thoughts. Essentially, anxiety disrupts the delicate balance of attention, making it more challenging to stay on track, especially in situations that require high concentration or decision-making.