Poll Do You Have Difficulty Reading with PTSD?

[Ronin]

I read a lot.

I just switch between what I read & what I combine reading with for easier comprehension more often.

My ability to remember it ist scheisse though. Mostly rely on a lot of repetition & associating & pushing trauma into little 'nobody wants your input now' boxes.

 

[Heather]

Yes! OMG Nicole's "teacher" at her new school gave me a book about learning without school. I couldn't begin to read that. Way too much text. Brain overloaded. Gave book back.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

I cannot concentrate at reading at all. A few days ago I managed to read like, 5 pages in a whole day

 

[greycrayon]

I used to read loads and loads, it wasnt just a hobby, it was me being me. Now I find myself intimidated by large chunks of text, especially any kind of paperwork. I think its because I used to skim read, but now I can't do anything but, but now not alot retains.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Back to reading now. I am reading stuff! Yay :)

 

[8888]

I get floaters in my eyes sometimes, more when I am stressed. I wonder if it's related to my PTSD, I never thought about it.

 

[hodge]

I read avidly most of my life. I have a master's degree in English lit. But since the PTSD came on about 10 years ago, I can't read very much anymore. Not only do many things trigger me, but I can't concentrate. I can't even read long threads, like this one.

8888, I had a scary experience about a month ago and found out by doing a search online that it was a floater. I don't think it's related to PTSD. It's an early symptom of retinal detachment, I believe.

 

[Unknown Victim]

I got PTSD at a young age and I believe I got AD from it because I was in special ed all my young school life. When I read, I also got anxiety and I had a hard time concentrating on reading. This may have caused my bad grades in college and results in depression. I got sick think about suicide and I drink heavily. So on so on so on l........ the rest of my life. I don't know if this helps but I was 4 when I got this cursed disease.

 

[Knak]

I lost the ability to read at age nine. got in a book club to be with a friend and have dropped and rejoined 4 times. I use the audible versions.

 

[formicism]

I can't really finish books anymore (though I've never been very good at that); I either get about half-way through (after reading in 10-20 minute spurts, depending on what else is going on) and kind of lose interest or burn out on it, or I simply don't even try to read because it's almost impossible to find content that I'd both be interested in AND that isn't triggering. It's the fault of my tastes, I guess. I look at my bookshelf, full of books I'd theoretically want to read, and find myself unable to even contemplate dealing with what might be inside them.

Short stories and collections are a bit easier to deal with... but I definitely haven't been reading as much as I used to.

 

[Alyson]

I voted "sometimes". Thankfully, I've become better about reading now - but for a few years it was a night...

I have struggled with this for quite some time, all the while knowing how irrational it is! My PTSD would lead me to engage in cognitive flight or fight while reading. I think it's a fear response to have control or something! I also have difficulty sitting still. I used to excel in reading comprehension. I was never a fast reader, but I was able to absorb everything really well. Now, I have so much difficulty in concentrating and I feel like I concentrate best when the subject of the text pertains to me. I still managed to graduate with my BA with honors and begin my masters, but I have SO much difficulty ... It's like having a disability. It'My PTSD acts up, I can hardly read at all and if someone in class/work is bothering me ( like unwanted attention from a male classmate/someone having a crush on me in class but not taking the hint that I'm NOT interested, or feeling pressured to be nice when I want to say 'f$$$ off, I'm not a sexual object!!!), it triggers my symptoms when reading at home!! makes me want to punch a pillow! It's getting better though, exercise and yoga help....a lot.

 

[Knak]

I also have difficulty sitting still. I used to excel in reading comprehension. I was never a fast reader, but I was able to absorb everything really well. Now, I have so much difficulty in concentrating and I feel like I concentrate best when the subject of the text pertains to me. I

The sitting still thing and focusing is my biggest problem because I have to keep reviewing and completing everything I am responsible for or I'll forget something vital (in my mind). I can never be good enough or achieve enough to merit being alive having needs.