[Sometimes psychotic]

medwireNews - Psychiatry - Reading deficits in schizophrenia contribute to underachievement

So I came across this article that suggests that reading is a widespread but understudied issue with sz.....I know for me I lost a lot of interest in reading complex fiction and had issues just quitting books. I seem to be ok with stories that aren't fiction as they are generally less complex.....so I can read the center cannot hold but not my favorite fantasy novels. I have this both when actively psychotic and not although it's slightly better off meds.

Just wondering if you guys have reading issues compared to what you had pre-sz or psychosis?

[Sometimes psychotic]

If your reading has gotten worse is it the meds or the illness and have you found anything that helps?

[Axiom]

Reading is a lot more difficult for me now. Meds have not made it easier or worse. Taking my time and going back to read things again helps.

[newtus]

i used to read as a child and teenager. its gotten worse cause the illness i think. i very rarely to none read anymore

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by Axiom

Reading is a lot more difficult for me now. Meds have not made it easier or worse. Taking my time and going back to read things again helps.

Yes I noticed that too reading more slowly helps....

[Sometimes psychotic]

Also I find audiobooks work....

[Atypical_Disaster]

When I'm actively psychotic I can't read at all.

Lately my ability to actually sit down and read has come back though, which I'm very thankful for. I don't read as often as I used to, but it's way better than it was while I was sick.

[Loial]

I've never been a huge reader but I would say I find it a bit more difficult with active psychotic symptoms.

I think it's mostly just comprehension (of terms or words I don't know) which I used not to have much issue with. I find myself losing track instead of inferring the meaning from the context. Then again it's also a concentration thing because that extra effort it takes is mentally tiring.

I am reading non-fiction books on quite in-depth subjects though, so might be easier when I move onto a fiction book. I really need to get back to reading my Wheel of Time books...

I used to love reading; always had a book on the go, and could read a book in one sitting. I also had no difficulty with technical/scientific textbooks/journal articles for school/Uni.

Now reading is hard work. I think it's a 'me' thing rather than a meds thing because it's been regardless of what type of med I've been on or if med-free.

There are various issues:
interest in reading/apathy;
concentration (it is harder to focus & I often get headaches from reading a lot, even posts on here);
comprehension (especially if it's complicated/research stuff for Uni, when I often confuse cause eg X does/doesn't cause Y so I can't follow what they're trying to prove);
reduced reading speed;
memory of characters/events in fiction and especially abbreviations in textbooks/journals
...I can't think of anything else right now.

I have text-to-speech software which helps read stuff to me. But I don't use it on PC cos it's a pfaff if you're only reading little bits of text, and I usually use my iPad and I don't have it on this. I find it easier to read short paragraphs, and must admit that if a person writes a big wall of text with no paragraphs, I physically don't have the energy to battle my way through it. I also tend to skim read a lot, which is fine for fiction, but means that I can't follow complicated stuff cos I'm not reading properly.

I also find writing really difficult too. That why I didn't go back to Uni this month. I find it hard to organise my thoughts into a coherent argument. Even on here, it takes me ages to reply because I have to think about what I want to say, type it, then proof read & edit it a few times to ensure it makes sense.

*Willow*

Also, I did an IQ test in summer 2012 and the Ed Psych said that I have a visual processing disorder because it takes me so long to read stuff & copy it (on the test, I had to copy a list of symbols as quickly & accurately as I could, & I was terrible at it). Never had this problem until a few years ago though.

*Willow*

[The_little_didgee]

I used to read a lot. I'm from a family of readers. Now I basically only read for school because I have trouble focusing and comprehending language especially if it is very abstract. I take my time when I read which really helps. Sometimes I use text to speech software and keep my course load to no more than 2 classes per semester since reading is usually a time consuming process. I really miss the old days when reading was fun, quick and easy.

Science fiction always got me through tough times.

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

I find it easier to read short paragraphs, and must admit that if a person writes a big wall of text with no paragraphs, I physically don't have the energy to battle my way through it.

I have a hard time reading big wall of text posts too. The lack of grammar and the san serif default font make it much harder so I usually don't read block posts.

[Loial]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

Also I find audiobooks work....

I'm a big fan of audiobooks read by Stephen Fry... there's just something about his soothing voice that puts me into a peaceful sleep!

Originally Posted by Lawscot

I'm a big fan of audiobooks read by Stephen Fry... there's just something about his soothing voice that puts me into a peaceful sleep!

He does have a lovely, soothing voice!

I've not really tried audiobooks. I imagine it still requires concentration like my text-to-speech software? I have trouble understanding speech too (idk if it's a problem with my hearing or a problem with my brain understanding sound?), but with the text-to-speech software I can see the written words at the same time to correct confusion, which I don't think you can with audiobooks?

*Willow*

[medicalfox]

I'm still good at reading and read daily, but my writing is terrible due to not making sense. I usually have to correct my writing several times before posting a response.

[Loial]

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

which I don't think you can with audiobooks?

*Willow*

I've noticed you can get audiobooks for some kindles but I'm not sure if they go along with the text or are just audio.

Originally Posted by medicalfox

I usually have to correct my writing several times before posting a response.

Me too! Handy having autocorrect on my iPhone etc. I also find I repeat words or phrases... I've always done it to one extent or another though.

[junkDNA]

i used to read a lot. i loved it. i have a lot of books, a whole bookshelf full. i loved reading classic fiction novels and sci-fi end of the world or future dystopian society books. but i dont do that anymore. i find it very hard to concentrate and i also have apathy about it although i miss reading because it was a good escape at times. i read for school and stuff and even that is hard.