Can't read for some reason!

I can't concentrate enough to finish a paragraph, my mind just wonders off. It's become a major problem, i love reading, i used to love reading books. I reckon now i can probably finish two/three books a year. So if i like reading why can't i read books anymore? It's like i have the attention span of a goldfish.

One good thing that has come of it is that i have developed a stong liking for poetry. I never used to be such a massive fan but now i get a lot more out of it, i can finish what i start reading and if it's good poetry (there's some good stuff on this site) it really connects. But apart from that my lacking of reading skills is really annoying.

It started to become a problem a few years ago but it was off/on sort of problem, now it just seems to be permanent. Anyone get any suggestions as to how i can get back into reading please?

Hi, Love/Hate09. ATM, I would consider the side effects of any medications you are taking and the quality of your sleep. With some medications, side effects may start to develop due to the way an individual's body metabolizes the meds.
For instance, there may be a change in the person's kidney and/or liver function that could be the cause concentration problems.With the antidepressant I am on, if the dosage is too high, it causes anxiety that results in my poor concentration.

And the other point is sleep. A person who suffers from a sleep disturbance could incur similar concentration problems.

These are from my personal experiences and I am not rendering any health care diagnoses or treatment, just possible avenues to explore.

Optimize is right. Medications can cause that, lack of sleep (maybe even sleeping too much). I understand what you mean, though, because I was diagnosed with ADD, and I'm thinking of talking to my pdoc about going back on Adderall, because I didn't give it a fair try the first time. I read, but I tend to re-read stuff because I don't "absorb" it the first (or second, or third) time around. It usually takes me a week or so to finish a novel, when it used to take me three or four days. But I also don't read every day or night like I used to.

Hi guys, thank you very much for the input. First off i would say my sleep hs been very interrupted. Either way too much or none at all for days on end. I'm also recovering drug addict - which i supose i should have mentioned straight off - and i suppose i was a bit worried about my concentration never fully returning properly. Basically permanent impairment from too much substance abuse. I'm hoping that's unlikely though because i can still hold a sensible conversation with people and i can talk to all you nice people on PC ok (odd typo or ten aside). But if i'm totally honest my spelling has turned really poor, very basic stuff at times i forget how to spell. When i'm writing something i have to keep checking all my words because i have such a poor memory now for spelling. I'd be embarrassed to mention some of the words i have to look up, even i think sometimes i'm glad no-one is here having to watch me check that spelling. I mean some of it really is stuff you'd expect a six year old to get right.

I tend to sleep too much, but I also wake up several times until I finally get up, which is usually in the afternoon. Once in a while, I won't sleep at all, but mostly, I'm sleeping 10-14 hours if my boyfriend doesn't wake me sooner.

During the worst of my depression I was unable to read. I just could not focus or concentrate. I am so grateful that that has passed. I've read over a 100 books already this year.

I love losing myself in a book and missed it terribly when I could not read.

just a thought, there are other ways to enjoy books other than simply reading the paper copies, i for example am severely dyslexic and can't read or write, i do still enjoy reading though, by using software designed to read text out loud on my computer (it also types what i say which is how i am able to respond to your post!) there is also a great range of talking books designed for people with limited or no sight which i borrow from my local library, these are in cassette form and are basically paper copies which have been read out loud and taped. so just because reading is difficult, don't let it get you down, try another way of accessing books you may find you are able to concentrate better and enjoy the stories once again.

you are not alone, many of us have had our ability to read more than a paragraph damaged by meds, or stress, or other unknown reasons. i am getting a little better after using a relatively unknown brain repair technology called Holosync. it is sold as a long term system of recovery (cure) by CenterPointe.com, where you can read (!) all about it,,

the site is a terrible thing to try to read~! so i will tell you briefly, that it works by having stereo headphones send a different beat into each ear (hidden under the sound of falling rain or other water sounds). this causes the brain to attempt to reconcile (figure out) the stimulation of the 2 halves of the brain, and that leads to a rebalancing of the 2 sides of the brain, and THAT leads to the repair of brain chemistry imbalances.

the course is about $160 to start, the first 6 months, and it lasts up to 7 yrs. it has other things to recommend it, also. you can learn meditation to go with it, since it requires sitting quietly for an hour a day, anyway. meditation has long been known to help regulate mood disorders and thought disorders, if done properly.

i am saddened to hear that you have lost this wonderful skill, and hope for your early recovery~!
Gus

I dont know about in the UK (what you listed for your location) but here in america a change in concentration/attention span can come from many different things...medication, stress, fatigue, depression, ADD, ADHD, lack of sleep, fluids, nutrients, diet suppliments even things like drugs and alcohol, a cold or virus and many others...

my suggestion contact your treatment providers, they can help you narrow down what is going on in you and get you treated for it.