Poll Reading And Ptsd

[BlackbirdSinging]

I love to read. I'm always reading 3 or 4 books at a time and rotating back and forth between them. But I don't read to escape. My only problem with reading is that there are days when I can't stay focused as long as I'd like to so I end up not reading as often as I'd like to.

 

[Changing4Best]

I'm a big reader, but I use it as an escape from reality, not really from trauma memories. Thus I did not answer the poll.

 

[HëllaBubz]

None of them really apply.

When I was little, I could dissociate whilst reading, so it was my escape, now I can't read more than a phrase or two, or it exhausts me.

I used to be a MASSIVE reader, I could chew through several books a week.

 

[Definitely..maybe]

This is really difficult for me lately, I used to be such an avid reader, but now I read 5 pages and realize I don't even know what I read. My mind is just in a million other places.

 

[Hashi]

@Definitely..maybe, I've been very similar to you. It's only recently that I've been able to read a book in print form again (I've been listening to audiobooks because that was all I could manage). It was shocking how unable I'd become to read, because I used to read all the time.

That has changed though. I was glad to have audiobooks but it's a great relief to be reading again like I was before. Have hope!

 

[Definitely..maybe]

@Hashi I'm so happy you have that outlet again! Any idea how it happened? I used to read sooo much!

 

[ClairBear226]

@Definitely..maybe Somewhere on here is an explanation of why that frequently happens with PTSD. Try the Wiki section. When my symptoms have been in high gear, I've had that issue too. Just can't focus for anything. I've done the same thing. Gone to audio versions. I do both now. I spend quite a bit of time driving, and also painted my house exterior this past summer, and I find audiobooks great for that. And then I usually have one or two print books going at a time too. Try Audible.com. That's where I get my audiobooks. They have memberships available, if you think you might use it frequently. Mine is about $15 a month US, and I get one book a month, and a discount on subsequent books.

Did you know there's a book club here? Take a look. Mariah

 

[Hashi]

I joined a real life book group because that gave me some accountability and motivation to get through one book a month, at least. I work better to a deadline! It's also a really nice group, one of the few social things I do. It has stopped me from feeling I've lost touch with reading altogether. I'm also on www.goodreads.com, which is good for discussing books if you don't want to do that face to face.

For some time, I've "read" the books as audiobooks but recently it wasn't practical to get the audiobook in time, it was in the library, it was very short, and the book group date was approaching, so I read it as a physical book. This was for 10 minutes at a time on the train to and from work. My concentration has improved generally as I've progressed in therapy, but I hadn't realised it had improved to that extent. So I'm very excited!

By the way, I also get audiobooks from audible, in my case audible.co.uk and the cheapest one-year deal, but you can get older titles free (and legally) from http://. Librivox is volunteers reading books that are out of copyright. The quality of reading can be variable but most are fine and some are excellent. And they're free! :)

 

[Definitely..maybe]

Thank you so much @Hashi and @ClairBear226 ! Such great ideas. I'll look up that article for sure (it's great when feelings are validated!) and those websites!

I think I'll go to half price books today just to kick myself for what I'm missing and chose a few books! I have noticed that PTSD and abuse books have been great for me, it keeps my attention because I can relate and makes me feel purposeful. So maybe in the future I'll understand enough to help others.

And a cutesie romantic book- I really want a good fantasy escape:inlove:

 

[Definitely..maybe]

@Hashi You're giving me a store to go to everyday- I love it! Natural supplements, now a book store, I'll be waiting on tomorrow's idea:p

 

[Changing4Best]

Sometimes I don't feel like reading, so I don't. But very often I'm reading and enjoying it a lot. I read maybe 4 books a month, plus 3 magazines.

 

[tillybee]

I read loads of books. When I want my safe haven I read my Harry Potter collection as it's the farthest thing from reality.

I find this helps to keep me calm and gives me a sense of being childlike and being lost in a world of witches and wizards etc. I know to some it will sound silly but it really does rekindle some of the child in me that was lost or robbed to be precise.

In turn this gives me a small achievement as for a while I feel again and I can smile. Also it gives me a sense of excitement for my own children and how fantastic it must be for them and their imaginations with innocence still intact.

The Magical world of Harry Potter - works for me :)

Does anyone else feel with certain behaviours you find you've almost turned back time to THAT time? I was 13 and I sometimes wonder is that where alot of my crazy behaviours come from?

Just a theory of course trying to self analyse.