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Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
Posts: 345
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#1
I have been a bookworm since I was a child. Up until the last few years, I would eagerly devour books. I love reading!! Nothing better then tuning out the world and diving into a great fictional story.
I can't read anymore. I just can't stay focused on the story. I lose track of who is doing what. I can't relax enough to enjoy the thrill of an entertaining story. Any suggestions as to how to get my mind to stay focused on the book?? I have nothing to do with my time, and books were always my best friends. Now I just sit and play Solitaire....which is as mind-numbing as you can get. I can't stand it. I want to read again! Help. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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#2
Hi, Sandy! I'm so sorry you've lost your favorite hobby/activity! Have you tried taking notes or summarizing the story as you go along? I use this method when I'm studying things, & like for reading more difficult things like Shakespeare. And maybe try reading one page at a time & think about it? I do know how hard it is to concentrate when anxious & stressed, though.
__________________ "Every moment is a fresh beginning." (T. S. Eliot) "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines."(Robert H. Schiuller) * * * * * * |
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Discombobulated
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#3
I've been there. I love to read, but in a depressive episode I just can't focus.
Have you talked to your doctor about this? For me, adjusting my anti-depressants usually fixes the problem. Also, have you tried audiobooks? Sometimes it is easier for me to listen to audiobooks than to read. If have a library card, you can use the Libby app to get free audiobooks to your phone. |
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MuseumGhost
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
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#4
Quote:
There is one author who has very long, detailed books that are a series. She has SO many quaint characters in each book, and I ALWAYS would write down who each person was and how they were related to one another in the little community. Otherwise, I would get mixed up until I got fully into the book. I'm definitely not able to read something that detailed yet! Yes, it's very difficult to concentrate. I was doing okay....actually enjoying it while I whispered it out loud to myself....and then my roommate got up. End of story. I think I need to be alone without any distractions. My MAIN distraction (other than my roommate) is the constant buzzing throughout my whole body that NEVER stops. I just want a peaceful body and maybe then I would have a peaceful mind. Yes, notes will be taken. I really enjoy these different authors, and it's been so long since I've visited their worlds. I want to be the avid reader I once was....so excited to sit down and read. And it made the day go by so pleasantly. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Breaking Dawn, Discombobulated, Mendingmysoul, MuseumGhost, SprinkL3
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Breaking Dawn
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
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#5
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I've never been interested in audiobooks. I love the feel of a book in my hands, especially a hard cover, and turning the pages. It just adds to the pleasure of reading. I actually get my books from the library through a program called "Books By Mail". I go online, pick out the book I want, and they mail it to me for as long as I need it. Then I mail it back to them, postage paid. My anxiety won't allow me to visit an actual library, but this works out much better. Thank you for responding to my message. Reading will help me make it through each day. I haven't even been out of my pj's for the past two days. I NEVER do that!! I hate being depressed. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Legendary
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#6
I don't go to the library either. With the app, I can get ebooks and audiobooks to my phone.
That's cool about the books by mail thing. Libraries here have curbside service, but not sure if they mail books. |
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Mendingmysoul, MuseumGhost
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
Posts: 345
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#7
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I live in a town outside of the city now, so no one drives here to deliver. But the Books By Mail program is great. You should check into it. And no fines for being late in returning anything! __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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MuseumGhost
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#8
Can you try a different genre....sometimes for example fantasy is too complex so I started back with romance which is about as simple as you can get.
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Member
Member Since Nov 2021
Location: Australia
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#9
If my concentration is having a slow day, the worst thing I could do is not adjust my expectations. Otherwise I could find myself reading over the top of things.
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Mendingmysoul, SandyWeb, SprinkL3
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
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#10
Quote:
I like psychological thrillers. I am doing okay so far with the book I'm trying to read. I can only go for little spurts, and I do tend to get some of the new characters mixed up. But I'm trying. The stories aren't too complicated. It's just that my mind doesn't want to focus well enough. Thanks for the advice. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Breaking Dawn
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Desert Kitty hates titles
Member Since Jul 2008
Location: TARDIS
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#11
I can relate, as books have always been my escape since I was a kid.
But lately I'm having trouble focusing, it could be because of everything going on now both here and globally. One book I'm having more trouble concentrating on for some reason I can't explain. Sorry I don't know what to say or do either, just wanted to send some hugs your way and say I know what you mean. __________________ Call me "owl" for short! Hmmm....looks like some good tips in here. "Okay, enough photos. I'm a very BUSY Business Kitty, so make an appointment next time." |
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Breaking Dawn, Discombobulated, downandlonely, Mendingmysoul, MuseumGhost, SandyWeb, SprinkL3
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
Posts: 345
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#12
Quote:
One problem I'm having right now is that I'm TRYING to focus on the storyline, taking it simply, and I'm moving along in the story. Then my roommate will come out to the livingroom and I have to put the book down. No idea when I'll get back to the story, or if I'll even remember what had followed up to that point. It's frustrating. I'm trying to get back into reading books as a therapy for me. Thank you for the hugs. They are ALWAYS welcomed! I hope you overcome your reading difficulties. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Breaking Dawn, downandlonely, nonightowl, SprinkL3
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since May 2013
Location: Chicago
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#13
Have you been tested for adhd....I didn’t have onset until late in adulthood....
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Legendary
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#14
I was also thinking long-term benzo use could account for your lack of ability to focus. You mentioned ant-anxiety meds.
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Breaking Dawn, SandyWeb, SprinkL3
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
Posts: 345
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#15
Quote:
I'm more active the higher my anxiety goes. I talk more, I pace, I wring my hands, I can't sit still, and I certainly can't focus on reading. Thanks for looking in on me. I don't know how I would even be tested for adhd, but I don't believe that is an issue for me. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
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#16
Quote:
I don't think that being on a benzo for such a long time has interfered with my ability to focus. I used to read constantly up until a few years ago, and I was on a high level at that time. I think it's just that I feel that I've already lived my life, and there is nothing left for me anymore. I don't DO anything, and I don't have any friends. Am I supposed to spend the many years left in my life just sitting around reading books? If I had a LIFE, sitting down with a book would be exciting. But now I'm trying to read because I have nothing else left in my world. I need the stimulation and distraction of getting into a good story. Thanks so much for responding to me. I'm depressed, stressed, and anxious. I want to feel HAPPY with a good story to read. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Location: Chicago
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#17
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Most people don’t get hyperactivity so much as they get lack of focus and attention.... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ Hugs! |
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NatalieJastrow, SandyWeb
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Veteran Member
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#18
I had the same issue with movies / tv. But I have come to conclude isn't me... it is them. They just aren't good anymore.
When I do find something good I don't have an issue maintaining focus. Also, I wonder if you over do the focus on something so your body yearns for something different. Like now I find you tube so much more interesting than regular tv. It is like my body just lost interest in scripted items. |
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Breaking Dawn, MuseumGhost
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Member
Member Since Jul 2004
Location: CANADA
Posts: 345
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#19
Quote:
I thought it was funny about YouTube. I got hooked a few years ago on some of the channels that I found. It was so interesting to watch people daily or weekly....funny or serious or just going about their days. I hadn't even realized there was more to YouTube than just music! Lol. I haven't been on YouTube for a few years now, either. I'm not much interested in sitting in front of the monitor watching programs. I hope you are enjoying your day with YouTube. There used to be some really great channels. I might have to check it out again. __________________ The past is a lesson, not a life sentence. |
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Grand Magnate
Member Since Apr 2012
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#20
You have my complete sympathy, SandyWeb. When my depression became very bad (I can only speak from my own experience), I lost the ability to read anything longer than a single page in a book. And I was always, all of my life, an avid reader, too. So it felt like losing a best friend.
It's been 15 years since I was diagnosed, and I am no longer needing medication to manage my depression, which has really backed off (gratefully!). But I am still dealing with a lot of anxiety. Slowly, when I did start to really feel much better, I could tell some processes which I felt had abandoned me for forever were actually returning to me. I still can't read for protracted periods like I used to, but my focus and retention are better, and I'm even getting back the desire to create some artwork again. My thinking, overall, is much healthier and my reasoning skills are much faster and stronger. So please don't despair. If it's a problem for awhile, perhaps it will also return after a bit. I like a lot of the suggestions people have offered, here. Also, I would definitely ask a medical professional about it. Perhaps there is some way they can help. |
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Breaking Dawn, nonightowl, SprinkL3
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