Hi, I’m 29 and I believe I have ADHD. I’m not in a position to get it diagnosed and (possibly) be medicated but ever since I’ve began suspecting that ADHD might be an explanation behind so many things I struggle with, I’ve been actively trying to adapt my life and habits around it. And yes, it has helped in many ways.
One thing that I’m currently struggling with a lot is reading, or studying I should say. I read a lot of fiction and I also find it easier to listen to audiobooks when I’m trying to get chores done or get through a book. My concentration while reading fiction has suffered but I can still read for a sufficient period of time, or at least, comprehend what I’m reading.
But the case is vastly different when the text is non-fiction. The problem is that I’m currently doing masters in literature and there is a lot of reading material I have to get through but I am unable to do so. It is as if I am physically or mentally unable to grasp the meaning of simple sentences and ideas. I have to read through so many times just to understand what’s being talked about and follow it through. And often times the only thing that works is to spend a minute or five on each sentence, breaking it down in order to comprehend its meaning. It wasn’t like this when I was younger. I found grasping difficult ideas much easier and could remember the concepts well. But despite learning things I love (literature), I am unable to make my mind cooperate.
I’ve tried studying in various different places and scenarios, at different times of the day etc. I do find that interacting and annotating helps tremendously but I can’t always do that because it takes so long to get through a text that way. It’s like ever since I started my masters, I’ve been in a undeniable state of panic, or flight or fight whenever I sit down to read. And in that panic, or distraction about other things around me, I get anxious about how much I have to do and in such little time and my brain just stops working.
Any insight, or a new perspective on how to tackle this would be appreciated. Or, if not that, maybe just sharing this would help me feel less alone.
by fay_zey
2 Comments
We are not “taught” to focusand it starts in grade school to move from one subject to another. Time outside is limited in the US which can work off nervous energy and allow kids to be calm while sitting to listen. Maybe subjects should be separated by the day. Math one day. Reading the next. Finding what kids are drawn to is important also. A math kid won’t be interested in art
Have you tried reading with some lofi music (no words) music? I find that helps plus caffeine.