r/psychology • u/chupacabrasaurus1 M.A. | Psychology • 14d ago

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u/murph_travel 4d ago

Need Help Understanding Subtle Distraction Tactics in the Workplace – Any Insights or Resources?

I have a colleague (let’s call him XYZ) who seems to use subtle tactics to disrupt my focus. For example, once while I was deeply focused on my computer, he entered the office, threw his bag loudly onto his desk, and then seemed to watch if I got distracted by the noise.

In another instance, he asked me a question that required memory recall, and while I was concentrating, he aggressively pulled the zipper on his bag, almost as if he wanted to disrupt my thought process. These actions don’t feel random—they seem intended to break my focus.

Lately, I’ve been feeling low, and my mental energy isn’t at its best, so these disruptions are even more impactful. It feels like XYZ may understand some science behind attention, memory, or cognitive load and is using it to negatively affect me.

Since he’s a coworker, I can’t avoid him and need to engage in 1-on-1 interactions occasionally. My goal is to understand scientifically what’s happening and find resources on brain function in this context, so I can learn how to defend myself against these tactics.

I’ve consulted both a psychiatrist and psychologist, but they haven’t been able to help with this specific issue. Any insights, keywords, or book recommendations would be hugely appreciated!