Reading tips?

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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...