Does depression make you take longer to read things?

[Lady Bug]

there are times where I feel that I can't register certain things I read. It can be the Bible, or simply anything. I feel that I have to read aloud (not "loud" loud, but just orally) the words slow and have to read each sentence twice before the idea of the words register in my head. It did not use to be this way. I used to have heavy reading loads in college, and I do not remember my brain feeling so "slow." I used to be able to read effectively and remember most of what I read in order to effectively take exams.

Wondering if anyone else has "reading" difficulties as part of being depressed.

 

[goldenviolet]

this can happen if distracted, distraught/stressed, yes depressed, if something is written boring to our tastes, or has alot of words we get sidtracted on trying to either pronounce, remembere, understand, or all of the above. sometimes what we need is something interresting, short, or something else all together. when i struggle to study: i don't force it. i listen to praise music; skip around to my favorite stories or scriptures. go over to my mom's to get a soft shoulder. etc. if you are distracted: maybe it's time for a bubble bath by candle light, a warm hug and talk with a good support; or a walk outside to pray in the heart of God's artistic nature of creation. ~ love dee

 

[Lakercom]

Yes, depression does make it harder to read. This has been my experience.

Depression causes a person's thought processes to slow down and makes one mentally fatiqued quicker. It can be expressed by the term, speed of thought. When depressed one's speed of thought is slower.

I was successfully treated for depression and I am thankfull to the Lord that I can read more now. Ironically, I have a greater variety of reading material so it still takes me a long time to get through a book but I read a lot of magazines and a few newspapers. I am not a student so studying is not an issue. I attended post secondary education and I could not finish due to depression.

My prayers to Jesus for you, ladybug1980.

 

[HolyOne87]

sometimes that would happen to me..most of the time its not because i have trouble reading it..its just i have trouble staying focused and stuff. Every time I might pick up something to read when I am depressed, I zone out a lot as I am reading. I could read the first few words and just zone out.

 

[jsimms615]

there are times where I feel that I can't register certain things I read. It can be the Bible, or simply anything. I feel that I have to read aloud (not "loud" loud, but just orally) the words slow and have to read each sentence twice before the idea of the words register in my head. It did not use to be this way. I used to have heavy reading loads in college, and I do not remember my brain feeling so "slow." I used to be able to read effectively and remember most of what I read in order to effectively take exams.

Wondering if anyone else has "reading" difficulties as part of being depressed.

feeling depressed can effect your ability to concentrate and your level of alertness. Some antidepressants can also do this. Talk to your doctor about it if you have one.

 

[Lady Bug]

feeling depressed can effect your ability to concentrate and your level of alertness. Some antidepressants can also do this. Talk to your doctor about it if you have one.

I did try a couple of antidepressants years ago but the side effects were absolutely terrible. Extreme hostility being one of them. I think I started to gain weight on them too. That's not to say that there may be newer medications out there that seek to mitigate the uncomfortable side effects once experienced by previous medicines. But I don't have insurance now and cannot afford to see a doctor

 

[createcoms]

I too have found that whilst in a depressive episode my ability to read is absolutely killed. I can't pick up any decent book and devour it, and trying to digest all that meaning which the bible contains is near impossible!

 

[Sam48]

I need more breaks then usual.

 

[RJAZ]

Oh so this is why I can't do brain quest which was a gift to help my concentration. I'm unable to get through any of it.

 

[createcoms]

Give it time......a moment will present itself when the depression lifts (if even slightly) then pow! you can rip into it..... I've had such moments in the past month. I've never been so excited to be able to concentrate (it's like a novelty hehe).

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I did try a couple of antidepressants years ago but the side effects were absolutely terrible. Extreme hostility being one of them. I think I started to gain weight on them too. That's not to say that there may be newer medications out there that seek to mitigate the uncomfortable side effects once experienced by previous medicines. But I don't have insurance now and cannot afford to see a doctor

Where I live, there are clinics that are available for those without insurance, and work on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Also, the local mental health centers have a sliding fee for those without insurance, because they get state assistance to help offset the costs.

Also, if a person financially qualifies for patient assistance, the doctors here are willing to help them enroll in the medication assistance programs available. They don't offer to do it, but if you ask, they usually will (it's more paperwork for them).

A couple other things that are available here are county trustees who will help one time in an emergency with a doctor's appointment, or medication, etc... and the local mental health association also helps with meds on a one time basis. I don't think they've done a physician appointment, but there are other resources for that here.

I can tell you from my experiences that when I'm depressed it's like my brain just turns off. I don't remember what I read, I feel like I can't think and when you say "slow", I would have to agree. My brain just feels slow then... actually, at times I feel like it's just stopped working.

I know you posted initially a while ago, but how are you feeling now?

 

[Lady Bug]

I can tell you from my experiences that when I'm depressed it's like my brain just turns off. I don't remember what I read, I feel like I can't think and when you say "slow", I would have to agree. My brain just feels slow then... actually, at times I feel like it's just stopped working.

I know you posted initially a while ago, but how are you feeling now?

Hello again,

Unfortunately things are pretty much the same in regard to what I originally wrote, and my affliction is pretty much like you described in this paragraph. I do force myself to read, preferably for at least a half hour at a time. But like you, I often cannot remember what I read, I feel like I cannot think, and I feel very slow in processing thoughts in order to write something that may be of importance. The strangest thing is that if you read what I am writing right now, you may not seen any sign of this problem. But my brain is killing itself to try to muster up the stamina to figure out how to write out sentences. Sometimes I use CF to practice my writing skills and attempt to improve them. I figure that if I am not in college anymore, let me try to put my (previous?) writing skills to good use. Even if I end up being a little verbose, at least it would show that I am still able to use my brain cells.

It is rather ironic how sometimes I can write out sentences that seem articulately stated but my brain feels like it has to force itself to process the thoughts involved to write the sentence.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Hello again,

Unfortunately things are pretty much the same in regard to what I originally wrote, and my affliction is pretty much like you described in this paragraph. I do force myself to read, preferably for at least a half hour at a time. But like you, I often cannot remember what I read, I feel like I cannot think, and I feel very slow in processing thoughts in order to write something that may be of importance. The strangest thing is that if you read what I am writing right now, you may not seen any sign of this problem. But my brain is killing itself to try to muster up the stamina to figure out how to write out sentences. Sometimes I use CF to practice my writing skills and attempt to improve them. I figure that if I am not in college anymore, let me try to put my (previous?) writing skills to good use. Even if I end up being a little verbose, at least it would show that I am still able to use my brain cells.

It is rather ironic how sometimes I can write out sentences that seem articulately stated but my brain feels like it has to force itself to process the thoughts involved to write the sentence.

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling much better. You're right, by just reading the writing, there's no way to know that you're having trouble. But I think it's great you keep trying. Sometimes when I feel that bad I've avoided things that would possibly help because it's too much work. The thing is, that extra work is what makes it possible to get into a little better space.

So good for you on continuing to post when it's so difficult.