[lunarpariah]

I have found for the past year (increasingly) that I am unable to read large portions of material without my brain just shutting down completely. Its like I can only take in so much before sentences just become words without meaning.

Anyone else have that problem and is there a way to improve it?

[Travelinglady]

I do to some extent. I just have to stop reading at that point. I just try to read smaller portions at a time.....Or take notes on what I'm reading.....

[missbelle]

I'm not bipolar but when my major depression kicks in I can't read either. I simply just cannot focus or sit still long enough to read anything.

[nacht]

Originally Posted by lunarpariah

I have found for the past year (increasingly) that I am unable to read large portions of material without my brain just shutting down completely. Its like I can only take in so much before sentences just become words without meaning.

Anyone else have that problem and is there a way to improve it?

Oh wow. I thought it was just me!

[foreverbp]

I have an extremely difficult time tying to read. I always seem to have to go back and reread things and still can't absorb it.

Yes. It's worse some times than others, so I try to avail myself of the times I can. Even when it's pretty good, I need to re-read things (especially starting out) several times to hone in. Even if it didn't used to be that way, it's ok. After a few gos it's pretty clear whether I'm going to be able to do it or not. If not, then another time.

[Flooded]

I'm so happy it's not just me!

I have zero comprehension so I don't read anything more than a paragraph now. Even that is a struggle sometimes.

[greylove]

Hmmmmm.......me too, but I'm not exactly sure why. I just can't seem to read anything anymore. Definitely not books (and I was a HUGE reader) and when we got a newspaper I would read small articles and the obituaries for awhile. Then I gave up reading them and ended up just reading the headline, and now we don't get a paper at all. I'm just so grateful I can read here on PC. The day I can't, I'll be in huge trouble.

[Trippin2.0]

There are times when i can't pay attenti0n to the words on the page or cann0t c0mprehend. Rather frustrating as reading is my first love... Glad i'm n0t al0ne.

I read ferociously until the onset of serious bipolarism about 5 yrs ago. I used to get on a ship (my workplace) with a suitcase of books and a suitcase of clothes. Now I'm lucky to finish a book a month. Getting better though, I've got two going right now. Concentration has been problematic for me, not only with reading.

[SunAngel]

I had the exact same problem, was tested for ADD and put on Concerta. Since then, I have had no problems reading.

However, I find reading in small paragraphs is a lot easier than one large one. I lose focus when things aren't broken down into small paragraphs.

[venusss]

I have problem with academic texts, especially the dense ones...

but eh, I guess there is not solution to that *reaches for gingo and guarama*.

[Confusedinomicon]

I can't read anything in bulk and remember it.
Like yesterday I read a 35 page chapter in a book and all I remember is it had to do with measurements.

[onlymedid]

Oh gosh I do the same thing. I will read and then get to the bottom of the page and realize that I had just been looking at the words, not actually reading and comprehending. So frustrating.

I do these things all the time, super frustrating . I have to read replies to my threads 4 or 5 times to absorb. My Writing is the same , its hard for me to articulate what I want to say so my replies are usually short

SunAngel,
Sooo true! Short paragraphs rule. Heard an expression once: "paragraphs are your friend". Something I confess a need to remember. Heck, if I can't read my own thoughts (which tend to be too dense, and worse, with added... "parenthetical speaking" -- is there a real word for this?), how on earth could anyone else?! (It takes, no joke, hours of editing to make medium to longer ones at all readable...)

If you read what I write (especially original draft), it is just like hearing me speak. Which drives some people bonkers. In fact, speaking of ADD, it took a very few sessions of listening for my psych to suggest considering ADD. It's that all over the place. While I'm in verbal denial of it... she is likely right. Um, but back to the BP thing, the focus does seem to be worse during episodes. Depressed, brain is too slow, hypo, brain is too fast, and comprehension is sketchy at best.

[Moose72]

To me info just feels like water off a duck's back. Full and no more going in.

[Essay]

My BPD has apparently gone into remission, but I'm still having the same issue with reading that I have had since my initial episode: Unless I'm in a waiting room or generally waiting on someone, reading to pass the time, I can only read books in very short bursts....

So, here's what I do (!): I schedule appointments and make plans, but arrive at the location (or somewhere nearby) early and just read to pass the time until I meet with the person. Works wonders for my reading, and always gives me all sorts of interesting conversation points.

[hanners]

Yup, when I'm in a mood episode (which lately has been all the time), I can have a really hard time reading. Which sucks, because I used to read all the time, and loved it! Confusion comes in other ways for me too, usually around the same time. I don't think it's specifically reading I have an issue with, just a general confused state that makes it hard to read.

[hamster-bamster]

For some reason I can still read the Internet, especially superficially, but I have a big problem with real print.