I'm looking for some reading tips since I figure a lot of you guys have difficulties like I do. And FWIW, I'm reading for fun, not for school or anything.

I basically reread the same sentence 3-5 times before finally understanding it, and 2 seconds later totally forgot what I read. I feel brain dead.

I can use audiobooks, but I hate to keep buying them. You could argue that I could go to the library and borrow their audiobooks, but I need more than the 2 weeks loan time because I'm a slow reader. It's like every time I want to renew an audiobook, I can't because someone else has it on hold. That's why I don't want to bother with the library anymore.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi! I have the same problem. I have been trying to cope with this all day long, including reading here.

It can take me a very long time to read posts here. I don't repeatedly read so many lines if/when the poster breaks information up into shorter paragraphs. (I know this is an issue for many here; I try to keep my paragraphs short for this very reason.)

I am not sure of how the audiobooks work via Amazon and the various reading programs available. I am wondering if there might be a membership level which allows the loaning of audio books? I don't yet know the answer. Just thinking out loud. (Maybe "Kindle unlimited?")

I have the same reading challenges you have described. I used to read often and a lot. I have a huge library of books. I have such reading impairments right now, and long-term, it's very discouraging.

I hope you find a solution that works well for you!

Hi bluebicycle. I used to have the reading issues you mentioned,but not all of my life. Only during a certain period of the worst years of my illness. I do think that some bipolar medications contribute to that issue. I do. However, even just bad episodes likely contributed to mine. A combination of brain healing and medication changes/reductions improved how I retained information.

The first tip that came to my mind (especially since you're doing pleasure reading only) is to not be hard on yourself about this. I wouldn't struggle reading and re-reading lines, if it's difficult. That can cause anxiety and frustration, which exacerbate things. Instead, skim the book first, and take little notes of stuff (and their page #s) that seemed interesting at first sight. Then go back later, if you wish, and delve into it again a little more closely. Kinda like reading a juicy thing on the final page, and asking "Ooooooow, I wonder what she did to get to that point?" Then search for the answer by skimming through the book in the likely chapter(s). When you find it, it's like a little pot of gold. Then maybe you can enjoy that spot and bathe more deeply into the relevant section(s).

[Sometimes psychotic]

Honestly was having the same issue before taking fish oil....I believe my AP(the only med I take) is causing the damage and taking fish oil started working as a neuroprotective after a month or so. I highly recommend some sort of omega 3s.

[*Beth*]

I also have that problem. It's discouraging because I have always been an avid reader. Unfortunately, I seldom read anymore because of my concentration issue. I would also like to read the longer posts here on PC, but if they are not broken up into smaller paragraphs my ability to maintain is impossible.

I also believe that medication is a major contributor. The feeling when I read is very similar to akathesia.

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks for this thread. I can't add much to the wise replies here

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

I'm looking for some reading tips since I figure a lot of you guys have difficulties like I do. And FWIW, I'm reading for fun, not for school or anything.

I basically reread the same sentence 3-5 times before finally understanding it, and 2 seconds later totally forgot what I read. I feel brain dead.

I can use audiobooks, but I hate to keep buying them. You could argue that I could go to the library and borrow their audiobooks, but I need more than the 2 weeks loan time because I'm a slow reader. It's like every time I want to renew an audiobook, I can't because someone else has it on hold. That's why I don't want to bother with the library anymore.

I like listening to audio books- its soothing- but most of them are abridged. That's why reading books is preferable to me- I get to read all of the original.

I struggled with this as well.

it used to make me feel so guilty: I'd get a book out from the library, start reading it, struggle and skip to the end. I felt guilty because their were so many books (are still so many I've not read) which I probably never will.

now I listen to them on audio. I just let someone read it to me.

kills 2 birds with 1 stone.. you get what you want (the story), and you get to relax

[daladico]

I struggle with this too!

It’s so bad that I’m shocked I’ve been able to maintain my job which requires a lot of reading. What I do to work-around the problem is highlight any important information and then go back through and transfer the highlights to a cheat-sheet and then process the cheat-sheet. Unfortunately this wouldn’t make pleasure reading very pleasurable 🤷

I also struggle to retain any information in movies/meetings/etc etc.

These are things I’ve struggled with all my life but it’s gotten significantly worse since my bipolar symptoms worsened 2.5yr ago.

I just had cognitive testing done on Monday so I’m super curious to get the results back! It’ll a be a few wks till I get results though...

Looking forward to hearing more tips...