Does anyone else here have depression? Does it make it hard for you to read sometimes? Or make it seem like you don’t want to?
Does anyone else here have depression? Does it make it hard for you to read sometimes? Or make it seem like you don’t want to?
I do and and If i have a bad day I can not concentrate for the life of me.
I have trouble starting new books. Sometimes I just feel like I don’t want to. But once I start reading I usually get lost in them.
I do too. I got no appetite nor do I want to read books and I’m already losing weight. 🙁
Iam feel the same it come with part of the depression and you didn’t want to get out of bed…
I’m going through that right now. All I want to do is sleep.
That’s me to right now ….
I’ve been doing a LOT of sleeping, too.
I’m also kind of overwhelmed with my tbr list. I’m trying to finish up some books from different series, so I can start reading some stand alones.
I would try not to put yourself under unnecessary pressure. Just read what you feel like, if possible.
I also hope you find your own way to feel better.
I do, and yes, it does.
Difficult to find interest in reading and writing and… any creative endeavor.
And yet, the bookstore is my usual go-to place to try to find relief from it. Difficult to concentrate on reading, yet I keep adding to my library.
More often than not, reading is my coping skill for my mental illnesses. However, there are times when they are flaring up and reading is difficult.
I used to but have recovered from it. It’s impossible to read when you’re depressed..you just can’t concentrate. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you.
Yes and I hate it but it also helps my depression.
Yep! My anxiety messes with my reading too.
I would like to ask you about your religion ?
No .. it has an important relation .. i had depression many times .. but when i started searching on how i get ride of it i faced many issues… The problem was do i really know myself.. there is 3 elements make you human being, budy, mind and spirit, the depression is a spiritual issue as well as a psychological issue !!
I am not religious and I have no intention of ever being religious. Again this is not an appropriate topic.
you re right
It does make it hard to focus. And then I seem to hyper obsess and buy too many books when I’m stressed.
Yes! I have like 200+ books that I own that I haven’t read yet. But I keep buying more.
I have depression and some days I will go without reading. But when I do read it helps me. I am trying to write to help me through it also
Yes.
Yes
I have pretty severe anxiety and depression. Reading really helps me get through it, but I do notice that when I’m in a particularly bad funk, I can’t focus on more complex books. I’ll catch myself just staring at a page, reading the same paragraph over and over, or reading the words but not absorbing them. It helps me to switch to an incredibly light, easy read. Something like PS I Still Love You or the Merciless books.
I should be reading Always and Forever Lara Jean. Lol. I just can’t make myself start it.
The Merciless are on my tbr list. I don’t have the 3rd one yet though.
They’re not the most well-written books, but I thought the story was captivating. They definitely kept me reading. I’m on the third right now
Yes most all the time.
Yes it does!!!!
Good distraction for me
To me it makes it harder. I can’t concentrate.
It takes real work for me to read. That saddens me because I so love to read. I didn’t realize so many people were dealing with this.
I have been dealing with depression & anxiety for over 10yrs & it has affected my reading tremendously… I hate it because reading has been a ginormous passion of mine since I was 3yrs old… Plus my mom passed away from cancer in October so reading a book right now is extremely difficult… ?
I’m so sorry for your loss. I couldn’t imagine losing my Mom.
Ty @Alyssa…
Yes
Yes. I want to read all the time, but never get to it because .. I don’t know. I hang on the couch, lay in bed, hours pass and still didn’t do a thing. I hate it.
I know how that feels. ?
This is an explanation of my day.
It sucks. I wánt to do stuff but.. it ‘just’ doesn’t happen. I have no other explanation. Urgh.
I’ve been there.
Exactly
YES
Yes. Some days I cant do anything but sit or lay and stare at the tv when I really want to read
This.
same
Yes
It works the opposite for me. When my depression kicks in all I want to do is read.
Good for you!
Depression runs in my family. Reading is way for me to escape. But also sometimes it’s hard for me to get into a book, if I’m not feeling well. I really want to cause I know that it will make me feel better. But I talk myself out of it.
Yes I do & I find losing myself in books is a comfortable & safe place to be! Anxiety on the other hand…THAT can interfere in my reading, as my mind goes off on it’s own tangent & I absorb absolutely nothing of what I have tried to read & find I can read same paragraph over & over again :'( When anxiety hits I am better to go do something physical to shut my mind up.
Depression is okay, it’s creative. I’m at the zero point right now. Total apathy and indifference. I HATE IT.
yes i have depression and if im not in the right mood or head space reading can be difficult. i can have difficulty concentrating. best to not read until i can concentrate at another time.
Actually reading kind of gets me out of my depression
I have major depression but reading helps me
Yes
Actually I’m not as depressed as I was last year – I’m doing a LOT better but I’ve found that Reading helped me get out of that state and helped me be happier and yeah lol
Oh ya. Big time. I’m an author and some days I have all I can do to get out of bed to write. And I want to. But its hard
also when im having trouble concentrating i can read easier books like comic books until my concentration is better for novels
Absolutely
Yes
Honestly, reading distracts me. It’s like a drug for that for me.
Yes for the depression but I tend to throw myself into my books more because of it instead of the other way around.
I had to retire early due to depression. I do OK until I can’t sleep. Then I don’t want to do anything but stay in bed.
When I get depressed which seems to happen quite often lately, I don’t want to do anything.
Yes I have severe depression, social anxiety. I’m an introvert and empath. I’m off sick from work due to my depression.
My brother swears I’m an empath but I can’t really figure out exactly what it means lol.. I’ve looked it up but to me its just vague descriptions that can fit anybody. But he insists that I am ?
It is damn tiring though taking on others’ emotions
I don’t think that’s me.. But I do attract Nacrassists and give way more than I should. But no I don’t feel other peoples emotions I don’t think anyways. But arguments or any for of disagreements are draining.. Can take days for me to recover.. Get teased at work by my co workers for attracting all the crazies lol as they word it
Yes
I didn’t read for two years till they finally put me on the right medicine
It makes everything harder
Sometimes it makes it hard to read, and other times, all I want to do is escape in a book it just depends on what I’m reading at that time.
Yes, after my divorce I’ve struggled with depression and reading.. I couldn’t focus and went 3 years without being able to finish a book but I kept trying.. This year I’ve read a few not many but to me its been such a breakthrough. And I’m so excited even if I can’t read at least a book a week like I used to
Yes
Reading helps my depression but sometimes struggle to focus when I have anxiety. Happily I am medicated. Lol.
X
Yes, very much so. It really effects my attention span and I can’t even concentrate on a movie let alone a book. And sometimes I get so anxious all I can really do is just pace back and forth. I wish I was one that could lose myself in a book when I’m feeling that way.
Yes, you are not alone in your struggle. I can’t concentrate on what I’m reading when I’m depressed..?
Same here cant read when im depressed.
No. It helps me. It was my escape when I was abused and it still is now that I am away from my abuse
Yes
I have had problems concentrating since my mom died 2 years ago. I read 3 books a week. Now I have difficulties with 2 a month. I still love reading but this profound loss has me down.
I have dysthymia and PTSD. There are times when reading is the only way I can escape the way I’m feeling. But other times it prevents me from being able to focus on a book. I’ve learned to accept where I’m at and keep trying to read. The ability always returns.
Yes but sometimes it helps me escape
Usually no, I use books to escape from my depression. Every so often though I have difficulty concentrating, so I’ll reread an old favorite or watch a favorite movie.
Yes I do but luckily for me I can always read.
Yes sometimes you don’t feel like doing anything
Yes. However for me it was the opposite. When I literally couldn’t even drag myself out of bed or focus on anything, reading and tv were my mind numbing drug.
No! I guess it helps you to read more and enter a new world ☺️☺️
I too face the same thing. I couldn’t even touch a book when i am depressed.Even now i am in the state. Couldn’t start a book. ?
No, I’ve never experienced that when reading books.Si
yes it does
I have depression but reading has been what pulls me out. I do find though that I’m more likely to read shorter or less complex books and maybe start 17 different books because my attention span is shorter. I’m not on any medication though (allergies and adverse reactions so not good) so that might make a difference?
I do and yes, it gets super hard to concentrate during one of my ‘spells’.
Yes
I deal with depression from time to time, and yes sometimes I don’t want to read at all. Hang in there. I hope it passes soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Yes. When days are just too bad, no matter how much I want to, I can’t bring myself to focus.
Yes, I get depressed often. I can’t read books, but music soothes me and prepares me to read books.
I suffer from depression, I find reading helps me because it gives me somewhere to go when I am feeling low x
Same here
Yeah, when I get really depressed it’s hard to read. That’s when I watch a movie. Bridget Jones Diary or The Emperor’s New Groove help get me out of a slump then I can read again!
I COULD NOT READ for years cuz of depression. 26 yrs I hardly touched a book. I am so thankfuil to God that i can once again read
Depression, adhd, ptsd, autism spectrum disorder, mild cognitive delay, self harm, addictions and no not to books unfortunately
Depression and Autism. I struggle to read older books and i cant understand emotions
I do. In my case all I want to do is read. Because in that environment you know everything that is happening around you. There’s always a happy ending.
I suffer from severe chronic depression. Reading helps me get out of my head and away from what depresses me. I have decided to remain non medicated and reading helps me a lot with that.
So far I am non-medicated and want to try and keep it that way. But, it’s been 4 months since the tragic death of my husband, and it seems as if there is no end in sight for my depression one extreme to the next wanting to sleep all the time to not wanting to sleep, because my dreams made me sad. I have never felt this way, and pray daily for some relief
It makes it difficult to concentrate on longer texts so the desire to read falters. I find switching to short magazine articles when depressed helps me feel I’ve accomplished something and keeps me reading.
It’s hard to focus on a book. I have been diagnosed with depression and on medication . My anxiety keeps me from becoming social. I have a severely autistic child which definitely keeps me busy so as you can tell I worry all the time
A book prescription for depression : https://booktherapy.io/pages/depression
YESSSSSSS. I also suffer from bipolar. It’s horrible. It’ll take me 6 months to read a book sometimes.
O gosh. It would kill me to read one that long. So sorry hun. I have been dealing with depression since my husband passed, and it’s like nothing I have ever had to deal with, and I hate it and just want my old self back, but then feel guilty for wanting relief, like I should suffer because anything less would be down playing my love for my husband. Even though I know he would wouldn’t want me to feel this way , and he would want me happy.
Awww sweetie. I will keep you in my prayers.
Yes, I have depression and anxiety. I love to read but I have trouble focusing on a book when I’m really sad. I also worry a lot(dealing with controlling parents, marriage issues, and a 3 year non-verbal special needs son).
Yes I suffer but reading helps. I get swept up in the book and I usually feel better! Keep your chin up! ?
Depression is a medical condition it is an imbalance in your brain…it is not nothing.
Unless you have suffered with it you would not understand
It does not feel good to be depressed, and I am definitely not lazy or wicked
Yes, it does for me too
I have depression and reading is my sanctuary…
I have anxiety and depression. I read all the time. Its something that does not take alot of energy. It can also be done in my safe zone.
It definitely can. Often it saps me of the will to do anything that I don’t absolutely have to do (aka, showering and going to work so I can pay bills), so I end up rewatching Parks and Rec or something for the hundredth time, instead of reading one of the books on my to-read list that I’m really excited about.
I have because I suffer with Bipolar II Disorder & Depression is bad in that one. I have days were I read three or four chapters at a time. Others I can barely read a page. I am doing pretty good with reading right now. I hope it stays that way.
I battle depression. It never keeps me from reading though. I actually binge read during my low times because books are a form of escape for me.
Here, I’m just bankrupt 2 days ago because of one amazon customer’s 2-3 complaints,thousands units I sent to amazon warehouse were frozen.So my five year business on amazon was just been killed,leaving me with countless debts and a going to be taken back apartment. I thought of sucide few times and yes I can not keep reading anymore.
Don’t “solve” a temporary problem with a permanent solution. Get help…it’s available!
I think I read to much because of my depression. It gives me an excuse to isolate
It happens to me both ways. The determining factor of the ‘why’ of my depression results in me reading a lot or not at all.
Usually it is my escape from depression.
I have depression and anxiety I stuggle to read when i really down. But reading sometimes helps me like getting away from the world at times.
Yes. I love to read. When I go down that rabbit hole I lose interest in everything including reading. I want to read, I think about how much I love reading. I just can’t pick up a book to save my life.
In my darkest periods, the most I could do was breathe. Please, I fought taking medication and lost a year out of my life-medication WILL help you get your life back.
I have been an avid reader since around 11-12 years old. I have always been able to escape into a book. I have never really suffered from depression, other than the usual down day. But, since my husband died in August I am really bad depressed,and at first I read to escape my reality, but now I can’t get into it, or even want to start a book and I have several that I was excited to read.
Why did she leave?
Sorry, missed that *censored* …….
I am bi-polar and sometimes have trouble concentrating
I was literally just thinking how I wanted to read more of this sci-fi short story collection I got recently, but I’ve been having a few issues with depression lately. It makes it hard.
I went through postpartum depression with my last two kiddos and did a lot of audio books because it wrecked my ability to sit and read like I usually do.
Thank you so much for sorting that mess out. I hope Alyssa will receive more compassion and help elsewehere. @Bowker