Poll Do You Have Difficulty Reading with PTSD?

[jersey]

I answered "sometimes". I do have trouble reading when my PTSD is triggered. For example I can be in the middle of a very good book, and then if something happens to trigger me, I will lose all ability and interest to continue.

I am starting to think however that the problem isn't reading per se, but concentrating or focusing. Because I can easily go online and read multiple news articles, or do online shopping, or anything that is sort of scattered in attention. In fact I use these things to distract myself and maybe dissociate somewhat. A book is not as endlessly distracting from my symptoms...maybe that is why.

 

[Innordinate]

i could read a whole book and not have any idea what it was about... maybe thats a memory thing not a reading thing...
Also suck at processing what i read, gets worse as the symptoms get worse, good days are no problem usually

 

[Anna]

I answered "sometimes".

If something I read triggers or reminds me of the trauma I will stop reading and start running up and down. Somehow this gets all the negative energy out. If it is very bad I can break down and start crying. I will go to a small place, normally a cupboard or the bathroom and curl up in a ball. I would never let anyone see me like this ever.

 

[bittersweet]

I often have issues with reading now that I have PTSD. I have difficulty concentrating and retaining what I've read. I will often jumble up lines since my eyes can't focus on the same line I should be reading. I also have difficulty speaking now too. I will often jumble words together, stutter and slur a bit of my speech. I was told this is common for PTSD sufferers and that it's mainly due to stress and the damage done to the brain as a result of the trauma. With medication/therapy it gets better.

 

[jersey]

Bittersweet,

I have not heard anyone else talk about the difficulty speaking before! I have this too. Words come tumbling out in an order that does not quite make sense, or, I cannot find any words at all.. I know that it is related to my emotions, but never put 2-and-2 together that this could be a symptom.

 

[Roline]

I wanted to answer 'always', but thinking about it I think 'sometimes' is more accurate.

I too remember as a child being absorbed in a book escaping reality, but for more years than I care to remember I have only read short magazine articles and then dont remember what I've read! I keep buying books as I want to read again, but rarely get past the first chapter.

Jersey and Bittersweet, I also suffer from the talking thing. When I am stressed, anxious or triggered it is 100 times worse! The words just tumble out in any order, making no sense at all.

 

[bittersweet]

I always thought the talking thing was just me getting stupid but I asked my T and psychiatrist and they said it's normal for people with PTSD. I was relieved but shocked at the same time.

BTW, jersey, I love the quote on your avatar

 

[CaringMomma]

I chose "sometimes" because I never read as a child, teen, or young adult unless I absolutely had to. On my 34th birthday a friend gave me a book and it was really easy to read. Ever since then I have been gradually reading more. I had to build up strength in my eyes due to weakness and spotted vision. I still can't read at times, when my anxiety level is high. I still don't retain alot of what I read, but it is a calming activity.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Yes I can find it impossible to read especially technical stuff and forms. Keep reading it over and over and is just does not make sense, or I feel like I have read it but I have just not taken the meaning in

 

[alliuce]

I can relate to that Lizio...

 

[Lucycat]

I too 'hid' in books as a child. Anything to escape reality.

Now, I can't concentrate. I will listen to audiobooks and have more success with them, but still rewind and replay constantly in order to understand it.

 

[benjumaan]

I've experienced this countless times, I used to be an absolute book worm, and now wouldn't go near one, I simply look at the words but they don't register with my brain, its like I'm staring at a blank piece of paper...