Lacking comprehension in reading

[addictivepersona]

First, mods, if you feel this fits better elsewhere, move it. Wasn't sure where to put it.

Bit of background: When I was younger, I used to read 2-3 hours a day on weekdays in the winter (summer, you couldn't get me indoors). On the weekends, I'd read entire Harry Potter books (I once got one of the books (5th or 6th) and sat there and read it from noon 'til eight on Saturday and then noon 'til eight on Sunday. Finished the book then too.).

This habit of reading "excessively" continued throughout high school. I'd read at a much slower rate though as course work increased, but I was still averaging a few smaller novels a month.

Started college and breezed through the readings for classes. Pulling out the information I needed as I skimmed the texts. Wasn't getting much out of them except what I needed for the test questions (lots of take-home tests at that college... waste of time tbh). Didn't have time for reading for pleasure, unfortunately. Any books I did start, I'd get a few pages in and not have time to continue.

The last time I tried reading a book (about a year and a half after the college experience above), I got about halfway through it in one sitting. Went to bed. Started reading from where I had left off the previous day... And I could not recall a single thing I had read. Half the book, gone from my memory. Tried reading at a slower pace (only read a few chapters [from the first half of the book]). Same thing the next day.

Flash forward to present day (a year or two later). I've tried reading a handful of books within the past few months... No matter what I read (fact, fiction, adventure, biography), nothing sticks. I read something--Ask me in two hours some details about what I read. Won't be able to tell ya.

It's so frustrating because I used to really enjoy reading. Don't get me wrong, I still do. But it's totally frustrating to read something and not remember it. At all.

Any suggestions for what to do? Sorry this was a ramble. I'm tired.

 

[EoTorv]

Was there any trauma or health problems about the time your reading comprehension dipped?

Are there any other signs or symptoms going on that might help you or someone else to make a guess as to the cause? Are you showing any sign's of depression? Many depressed people have told me their reading comprehension got very poor when they were depressed. Do you have a decent diet & get some exercise? I could suggest some nootropics but I think that could be dangerous without knowing what the underlying cause. You might try reading a little faster, seriously my comprehension can get worse when I read to slow. Are you reading in an environment relatively free of distractions?

There are courses for both increasing reading speed and comprehension as well as courses on improving memory. Some are available on DVD or can be downloaded but I have little experience with them. Don't know if they are really helpful. Hope you get this figured out soon.

 

[Changed]

stop reading all together and come back to it at a future time?

maybe you burned yourself out from all the work. I got my BA in English and you couldn't pay me to read for months after I graduated... now, two years removed, I'm starting my Masters program in literature this august.

 

[sunshinefix]

I find that I have less reading comprehension if I am reading in bed right before I go to sleep. Try sitting up in a chair, and when you are tired moving to your bed. Make sure you have a bright place to read.

Are you getting good sleep? I feel like when I'm kind of tired I can't really remember what's going on in a book. Also, maybe you should try something that will be most relevant to you right now in what you do-- something you will be able to use in your real life. Maybe something about food or pertaining to a personal project you are doing or want to do.

If you need help choosing a book that is suited to you, I am studying to be a librarian

 

[doppelganga196]

I've had this on/off the past 2 years. It's a sure sign of depression i'm sorry to say.

 

[badandwicked]

Do you smoke cannabis? Or use other drugs?

 

[addictivepersona]

This post is long... Sorry guys. Been neglecting my threads. I do appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

Was there any trauma or health problems about the time your reading comprehension dipped?

Are there any other signs or symptoms going on that might help you or someone else to make a guess as to the cause? Are you showing any sign's of depression? Many depressed people have told me their reading comprehension got very poor when they were depressed. Do you have a decent diet & get some exercise? I could suggest some nootropics but I think that could be dangerous without knowing what the underlying cause. You might try reading a little faster, seriously my comprehension can get worse when I read to slow. Are you reading in an environment relatively free of distractions?

There are courses for both increasing reading speed and comprehension as well as courses on improving memory. Some are available on DVD or can be downloaded but I have little experience with them. Don't know if they are really helpful. Hope you get this figured out soon.

There was trauma/health problems about the same time... I was away at college and thought I had a UTI--got tested for it at the health center on campus, came up negative... Was still in horrible pain and wasn't eating very well at all... Ended up passing out in the dorm shower and having to go to the ER... And life was just hell that year of college... Worst living situation I have ever had... Don't know how that really rates on a trauma scale, but yeah.

I am showing signs of depression, but I have suffered with that for as far back as I can remember--reading used to be an escape.

There are distractions in here. I can really only read in my room as it's the only room bright enough. But the seating isn't ideal. One of these days when I have the house to myself I should try reading in the kitchen, so I can sit up straight and read in good light, instead of slouching on a bed reading.

I may have to check out some of those courses...

I find that I have less reading comprehension if I am reading in bed right before I go to sleep. Try sitting up in a chair, and when you are tired moving to your bed. Make sure you have a bright place to read.

Are you getting good sleep? I feel like when I'm kind of tired I can't really remember what's going on in a book. Also, maybe you should try something that will be most relevant to you right now in what you do-- something you will be able to use in your real life. Maybe something about food or pertaining to a personal project you are doing or want to do.

If you need help choosing a book that is suited to you, I am studying to be a librarian

See, the thing is is that lately I'm constantly tired. If I'm not tired, it's because I've had a shitton of caffeine and then can't read for the life of me. I'm getting 8+ hours of sleep each day, but I'm still constantly tired... And I have a wide selection of books to read from currently (stuff on Veganism, historical fiction, thriller fiction if ya wanna call it that, biographies...) yet no matter what I try reading, nothing sticks so I give up... However, I may drop ya a PM one of these days for a book recommendation.

I've had this on/off the past 2 years. It's a sure sign of depression i'm sorry to say.

Like I said to ET's post, I've been depressed as far back as I can remember... Never had issues with reading before 2006/2007.

Do you smoke cannabis? Or use other drugs?

I do smoke cannabis. I was told I should try taking a break from that and picking up a book instead... I took a five month break from it (if you count one bowl, if not, it was an eight month break) and saw no improvement in my reading comprehension... Also, I started smoking pot a few months after I first noticed a dip in my reading comprehension, though my memory may be fogged and I actually saw the dip after my drug use started... I don't know... :-/