Difficulty reading?

[lostforgottensoul]

I’m just wondering if anyone experiences this symptom as a part of dissociation?

Writing is difficult, too

Yes. But my dissociation is quite deep so I am not sure if it's the same for you. I'm quite literally "gone". I process nothing. A week went by, without working, home all day, and it feels like a day went by. So, that might be different for you. Or maybe you are dissociating deeper?

Edited to add: Though, recently I noticed that while writing on here, I can only write a word at a time. Sort of half sentences. I think that's related.

Like, if someone asked if I can do something I say "can try" instead of "I can try". If that makes any sense.

 

[NatBird]

@EveHarrington Yes! Thanks for posting this.

I've gone years not being able to read and write. It's been very distressing as these were big coping mechanisms for me plus its the way I have earned money. Imagine being a writer who is not able to read or write!!

At times I connected it with younger aspects, as when I was writing I would spell like a seven year old, confusing their, there etc. In such times picture books are great:) Mostly, I put it down to being chewed up by trauma and living in my lizard brain. I think the processing required to read, write etc happens in the front (pre frontal cortext) I am only just beginning to crawl out the lizard brain.

 

[Kieran]

Yes! I have lots of difficulty reading and haven't read in a couple of years, now. It's a shame because I really enjoyed reading but the focus just isn't there, sort of feels like something is missing. Sometimes I just can't process it.

Lately, I've been wanting to try audiobooks in conjunction with the physical book to read along with, though I haven't tried that yet. I can only imagine it to be helpful, but the processing may still be difficult for me.

 

[blackemerald1]

Reading is a skill that requires practice. Some days I cannot read much at all because my ptsd brain is off doing it's own thing.

Other days I can read all day and stay with it all... that's fun.

Either way - it is very gratifying to read and I'm glad I can.

If you are having a problem with reading and it's not a mechanical issue like needing reading glasses... try doing it for really short periods of time and then building up from there....

 

[EveHarrington]

Lately, I've been wanting to try audiobooks in conjunction with the physical book to read along with, though I haven't tried that yet. I can only imagine it to be helpful, but the processing may still be difficult for me.

Audiobooks are a nightmare for me if I haven’t already read the book. I have had this issue my whole life, as I remember not even being able to follow along with storytime at the local library as a young child. Maybe in this sense it’s also a matter of me not exactly being an auditory learner!