Reading

Has anyone else had a hard time reading?

I don't know if this could be a side effect, but I sincerely doubt it. I was on all different meds the first time this happened (current meds at bottom of post)

It seems to be related to mixed episodes for me.

Currently I can't read more than a paragraph before my eyes just start skimming and the content stops going through to my brain.

In my worst mixed episode I couldn't even read single words. But at the time I also couldn't understand spoken conversation, or tell TV programs apart from commercials.

The only think that seems to make it get better is rest (getting enough sleep, staying away from stressful situations)

I was just curious if anyone else had this experience, or any tips for making it get better.

Dx: BP1
Rx: Lithium 1200mg, Seroquel 50mg, Levothyroxine 100mcg

When my racing mind is racing even faster than normal I am unable to see more than a word here and there.

I use Self grounding, Mindfulness and Meditation to try and slow things down, usually works. If nothing seems to help I just blast some music and just lose myself in it.

Hope you find some relief soon

At some point..reading can be difficult..for many reasons in my case..either because I jump from one thing to the next..or either it's because I need to take antipsychotics to come down..than I can read because I'm in a veggie state.(I really dislike this state, but realize it's a must..but still hate it) With time and once my PDOC ajusted my meds I was all good to read again. Yup you've got to rest, relax and catch up with treating yourself good.

Take care

Question for Christina: What is self grounding??

Grounding is a technique that helps keep someone in the present. They help reorient a person to the here-and-now and in reality. Grounding skills can be helpful in a variety of situations: with dissociation symptoms; and managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety. They help someone to regain their mental focus from an often intensely emotional state.
Grounding skills occur within two specific approaches:
1) Sensory Awareness
2) Cognitive Awareness

• Keep your eyes open, look around the room, notice your surroundings, notice
details.
• Hold a pillow, stuffed animal or a ball.
• Place a cool cloth on your face, or hold something cool such as a can of soda.
• Listen to soothing music
• Put your feet firmly on the ground
• FOCUS on someone’s voice or a neutral conversation.

Where I sit watching Tv or on my laptop I placed a few Pictures that have great meaning to me. That is what I focus on.. It takes a bit of practice, but its a very good coping tool to keep handy . It can be used anywhere , if your out and about just pic something to focus on and just focusing on your breathing and that item your staring at.. I have use telephone polls, random cars in the grocery store parking lots, etc etc.


Its a coping skill that can be used anywhere anytime.

Yes. Can really relate to exactly how you put it too -- though I often don't get a paragraph in before that happens. Eyes will be moving, then it'll occur that I have absolutely no idea what's going on. Just letters on a page.

Or I'll find I've read the first sentence over and over. Catching this, if I try really hard to make it through the paragraph, I can get "on location". If not, I simply give it up for another time.

Depends not just on mental state, but material of course. Sometimes, I just can't read at all. Other times, light and short, other times medium. I've just begun an epically silly undertaking -- a Russian novel from mid 1800s. It's going to be a looong haul, lol. Hey, 12 pages so far! (of 400) Let's pretend I'm going to make it, ok? )

For making it better, getting your rest and stress under control can never hurt. I think it's probably also useful to adjust your expectations to reading what you can at a given time and not beating yourself up if it's not where you think it "should" be. Because that just makes stress over it.

Update: listening to music seems to help me read.

The material is of course important, but I don't really have a choice about much of what I read. Usually it's for school (science textbooks) or work (scientific papers) - so fairly heavy stuff. Currently I've been only able to get through magazines of the Cosmo level, so...can't exactly read textbooks, much less scientific papers. But with some music I read two pages from a physics textbook before the skimming started. Progress!

yes, it happens to me, and i hate it

i always say to myself.. right, i'm going to read at least a chapter- and end up reading about 10 pages before usually thinking, well, um, blah blah blah, this is what's going to happen i think, this is how it all ends... put it down and get something else and start all over again.

but when things are working out for me i can read stuff. (especially my daniele steels)

I used to be a voracious reader, consuming books the way other people consume junk food. Now I can barely get through a magazine article, and sometimes by the time I get to the end of it I've forgotten what the first part was about. It is VERY frustrating because I miss reading, but it seems to be permanent.....I haven't read a book since 2011.

I have spells where I read all the time,, then long spells when I can not even pick up a book...dry spell right now...

Thank you, that is very informative, I must try this..well hope I remember to try this when i'm feeling over the top.

I just replied to a similar thread about the inability to read. I have times where I can but mostly it is a struggle I lose. I can skim the internet but to commit to a book is not bloody likely but sometimes I can. It's always such a relief to read again and have someone's thoughts in my head other than my own. I wonder if graphic novels would be easier with the pictures to inform what the words are saying. Characters with facial expressions we can actually see. Or at least Archie comics. Oh wait, didn't Archie just die last summer? I should get that issue. I guess there'll be no more Archies unless they keep him going in the afterlife.

In a mixed episode I have had the same problems. I got up and walked around. It was a nightmare. I almost checked myself in to a psych hospital. Normally I just have a problem focusing for any length of time. This comes and goes.

Yes I have a very hard time reading and concentrating. It helps when I take Vyvanse.