Reading ability affected

So I tried to read a book. And the next day I listened to an audio book of the same thing. It was like dejasvu. I didn't really remember it. So I'm wondering if anyone else has trouble reading? I looked it up and it says Sza has dyslexia like symptoms. So now I'm worried about going back June.

Yes, I had trouble for years & years. I wasn't able to read a book for I don't know, something like 3-5 years. And I LOVE to read, it was like losing a part of my identity. However, after I got off clonazepam, a month or 2 later I picked up a book and I was suddenly able to read again. I'm convinced benzos affected my reading ability (and also just regular daily memory). Also, I just think the racing thoughts of bipolar mixed/hyopmania/mania definitely affect reading ability. The more stable I am in regards to bipolar (and the ED), the better my reading ability. If your ED is not under control and your body (and brain) are not receiving proper nutrition, it makes everything requiring cognitive ability that much harder.

I still do have problems with remembering a story with a lot of minor characters (remembering how the minor character relates to the story), but for the most part, I can enjoy books & reading again, so much so that I have barely played on my iPad or watched TV since I've been able to read books.

I don't really have any advice for you, but I wanted to let you know you are not alone.

@victoria’smom - that must be very frustrating, to feel that way about reading.

I had trouble reading for a long period of time, in terms of just sitting down and reading for enjoyment, as opposed to having to read short articles or similar for work.

It’s interesting reading about the experience of @Blueberrybook. Medication and mood probably affected my abilities more than I realised.

Anyway, when I decided I wanted to start reading again, a few years back, it took a lot of effort and perseverance to make it work. I could barely get through two pages before losing the will and the concentration. So I just wanted to say don’t give up. Keep trying. I have the concentration skills of a butterfly, with my mind fitting here there and everywhere, but practice and perseverance has now got me to the point where I can actually read multiple books in parallel. In addition, I found I love talking to other people about the books that they’ve read and the books I’ve read - this is part of the enjoyment and reason for doing it, along with expanding my knowledge and my outlook on life.

If you’re struggling to remember, keep a notebook handy and write down a quick summary of what you’ve read, or just list the main characters. This can help. I do forget what I’ve read very quickly, so I often leave a review for a book I’ve read, so I can go back and remind myself.

Jeff

They asked me at my disability hearing if i was able to read. It caught me by surprise. I teared up, as i said i no longer could, and i had always been an avid reader, taking armsful of books from the library every week as a child.

I would say I'm as stable as I'm going to be BP and ED wise while I get used to eating again. The Sz part is a little messy but I'm unsure how much that can improve given I have few options left. I'm definitely talking to my Dr about it next week. I don't know it's a focus thing or what but I can only read for about 45 min at a time and that's with breaks. Hopefully my husband can pick up another book given I read so much slower than him. Honestly I think it's my attention span I get distracted easily. It sucks because I know I'm smart but it's so frustrating. I don't know what to do about it if anything.

That's how my daughter was maxed out 25 books every 2 weeks. Now she doesn't have the focus.

I have trouble reading long passages too. I like reading but it's hard to stay with it.

What I find helps is to have the book read aloud as I'm reading it. I use the Kindle app to read books and in it there's an option to read the text aloud.

The audio is AI generated, I think, so it's flat and factual. But reading what it is saying at the same time is really helpful. I used that many times with the last book I read and I was able to finish and remember it.

So I think you're on the right track with the audiobook but maybe try reading along at the same time.

That's actually what I'm doing. If you buy the audio book with the kiddle it highlights the words as it reads to you. I just hate buying both, it's not cost effective. Like I said it's fine for now but I start school in June so I'm worried.

So talked to my therapist she thinks I need a Nero psych evaluation. Autism and ADHD were mentioned as well as learning disabilities. She noted that I take tests well but actual assessments were never completed. She's getting all my medical records and looking over them and then possibly sending me for the evaluation.

Oh you don't have to buy the audiobook as well.

The Kindle app has a feature called Assistive Reader. It reads the text to you and highlights it as it goes.

Here's how to enable it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custo...vK6eo6O7DJVQoZ

I think you can adjust the speed and voice, it's pretty good. Might be worth a try.

Thank you

Does your library have Libby? It's a free way to download audiobooks and books to read for up to 21 days with renewal possible. You just need an app and a library card. 90% of US libraries have it. I can't read because I can't focus and I love having it as an option.

I have to look into the library to see