Reading Ability

[WilliamCollins]

When I was younger I never had any trouble with reading things (like novels, homework, etc). I loved to read and it was a pleasure like no other.

Over the past few years this has changed. Now, I don't really like to read because, well, I find it difficult to concentrate and my mind will assess, as I am reading through something, my reading ability, and this as you can imagine, makes reading difficult moreso.

So, my questions are, how do I remedy this (serious) issue? Will forcing myself to read all day long help? Are there any known reading techniques, or something, which will help me to read in the way that I used to be able to read?

Reading is/was theraputic and so I really wouldn't want to completely lose this ability.

I've heard somewhere that some schizophrenics develop dyslexia. I don't know whether or not this is dylexia. What happens exactly is: instead of reading line after line (in a smooth motion) I'll slowly read word after word and I'll sometimes get "hung up" on a word. It can also become difficult to recognize words. For example, I'll see a word and I'll know that I know the word in question, but my brain, it seems, doesn't want to recognize it. It'll take me a moment or so to recognize it and continue forward with whatever it is that I'm reading. And I'd like to note that this doesn't just happen once or twice during a reading session, it happens all the time, and this is why reading for me has become more of a chore than a pleasure.

I could really use some good info pertaining to this topic. Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy]

I have this problem as well. I am suppose to take Lecithin, but I don't take it regularly enough now. I think it helped a little before but I can't say for sure.
Obviously you should ask your doctor first if your going to give it a try.

 

[WilliamCollins]

What can I do to overcome this problem? Has reading a lot helped you with your similar problem?

I continue to read but I don't see it getting any better, and sometimes it gets worse which just makes me all the more frustrated. I usually end up setting the book aside and going for the TV.

Maybe I quit too soon? Maybe if I kept reading I wouldn't have this problem. Maybe.

Thanks for the advice! I'll look up Lecithin.

 

[Andy]

Reading stuff on line If it's longer than a paragraph I have to read and re read it until it sinks in. I love reading books too but have not been able to for awhile. When I do have to read something fairly long I make sure it is completely quiet. Then I start. I usually have to go through some pages over and over again and then I just make myself focus for one paragraph, then I stop and see if that sunk in, if not I read it again, if so I carry on in little chunks like that.
Do you have a "usual place" where you read? Are you making sure there is no distractions at all, music, dripping faucet etc.? lol I think it's a good idea to keep at it. Don't let yourself get frustrated and if you do then take a break. If your more clear headed in the morning or afternoon etc. maybe that would be the time to try.
I have been told to do mind games maybe that will work for you, I find I just lose concentration doing those too.
I'm sorry I don't have any good suggestions, I think you may just have to figure out what will work best for you personally, by trial and error. I know it is extremely frustrating, I have thought-blocking so I do it out loud too lol. I certainly hope you don't give up reading though, you might just have to read in a new way. Sorry I babbled, I hope I made some sense.

 

[adaptive1]

I struggle with this too, I read and lose my train of thought so I re read a page 75 times it seems.

I seem to be able to read under pressure or if I am really interested in something. Could you read something easier? I have had some success with books on tape but the person narating it has to have a nice voice and I find I can focus on that better.

Not sure if any of that would work for you, when I was in school I would make notes on things I was reading with out really knowing what I was writing down but then later it was easier to read my notes as they were shorter.

Those are the only things I can think of.