this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2025

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3 times before a single word sinks in (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago by Stamets to c/[email protected]

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[–] Aeao 6 points 5 hours ago

I remember how frustrated my mother got when the school told her I needed to be in remedial reading. My parents were both teachers so she thought "I got this"

She told me to read a book and she'd ask me some questions about it. I couldn't answer a single one.

So she had me read the book out loud to her. I did. Still couldn't answer a single question. Blew her mind that I could read a book out loud and not even be paying attention to it. That's when they got me diagnosed with ADHD.

Every doctor I've been to since hasn't even needed me to tell them. They notice on their own.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

Live footage of this phenomenon

[–] capuccino 44 points 1 day ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (7 children)

I need to know if a person who doesn't have ADHD also struggles with this. Every post that I see from any ADHD lemmy instance makes me believe that I DO have ADHD :(

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 hours ago

I have not been tested for ADHD but also have no reason to think I have it. I'm pretty sure anyone who is being distracted from the content of what they are reading has experienced what the OP is saying. I can't imagine why anyone would think this is strictly an ADHD thing. My coworker on the other hand has ADHD and he can read/listen to audio books without being distracted in a situation where I would be. Maybe everyone is just different.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 day ago

This is not a strictly ADHD thing. Many, many people have difficulty focusing when reading. It is just harder with ADHD to monitor and refocus.

[–] MothmanDelorian 12 points 23 hours ago

The best way to figure this out is to get tested.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago

I was in the same boat where many adhd things resonated with me, been officially diagnosed since December now.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago

If you can afford the diagnostic/have insurance to cover it I’d recommend going for it. I started the process by talking about my concerns with my pcp and getting a referral. Ideally you’d move in to therapy/ medication to manage it, but just knowing that you have adhd can help you to reframe your perspective on your past to be kinder to yourself and to develop healthier coping mechanisms

[–] darthelmet 4 points 1 day ago

Same. I was also talking with some friends that have it and they also think I might. I already got a mess of other issues. I guess I'll ask at my next psych appointment and see if I need to add that to the pile.

[–] Majorllama 22 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I could read endlessly as a kid. But now when I start reading my mind wanders almost instantly. I have found audio books to be slightly better, but even then it's a struggle at time. I have to start chapters over or rewind somewhat frequently. I wish I could turn off the part of my brain that jumps tracks so effortlessly.

[–] humorlessrepost 9 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

If I do something to keep the other part of my brain busy — something not involving language processing, like cleaning, driving, or playing certain video games like rocket league or Mario 3 — I’m able to pay much more attention.

[–] Majorllama 4 points 21 hours ago

Yeah 90% of my Audio book listening was fine during dishes and other chores. Problem is those tasks are even better with music so I just end up not "reading" much anymore.

[–] MothmanDelorian 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

I rewatched Anthony Jeselnik’s latest hour because I was convinced I never finished it only to realize I knew the premise as it came up

[–] Majorllama 4 points 22 hours ago

I have done that so many times. Even with whole movies. Someone will ask me if I have seen it and I'll say no and then about 15 minutes in I start having constant deja-vu moments until I realize that I have already seen it I just wiped it from memory for whatever reason lol.

[–] idiomaddict 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Is it by any chance the kind of book? I’m mostly the same, but a well written thriller or fanfiction will keep me up all night reading. My favorite book tends to send me daydreaming occasionally, so it’s not exactly a quality or taste thing imo. Those aren’t necessarily the best literature or even my preferred genres, but they just pull me in, which I sometimes want more than the actual story. It does feel a little like junk food though. Especially with fanfiction, because that isn’t always edited super well and it’s easy to internalize mistakes that you see repeatedly.

[–] Majorllama 2 points 22 hours ago

I pretty much only read fantasy growing up. I still only try to read fantasy although I did really enjoy "how to build a car" by Adrian Newey. If anyone even sorta into F1 or motorsports at all I would highly recommend that book.

But yeah mostly fantasy books.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

I like using my finger to read certain things. If I have both my eyeballs and my hand working on the same thing, it helps a lot.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I switched to audiobooks. Do a mindless task while listening that keeps me focused enough that my mind doesn’t wander, but l not using so much that I can also pay attention to the book.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I wish that worked for me. Instead, I've gotten used to hitting that 30sec rewind button!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago (3 children)

"okay, let's concentrate. we've been at this timestamp 3 times already. this time i'm gonna listen real hard!"

20 seconds later; lost in thought.

5 mins later: "goddamit. it happened again. 😠"

it's so ridiculous.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

People use fidget spinners, but I figured out that holding a palm stone (whether purpose bought or just picked up off the ground) in my hand will let me sit and watch stuff vs. randomly forgetting I'm watching stuff.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 23 hours ago

Lol this happens to me with TV shows. I usually just say "fuck it," after rewinding three times and forgetting to pay attention to hear the one line I missed, and just let it play.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Yup! At least I mostly only have to jump back about 30sec now... It does get frustrating when I jump back 30sec at the same point several times in a row!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

I prefer roll forward over roll back. Hmm, I thought that guy was alive but now the protagonist is doing something with his severed head, oh well I guess something happened to him, good enough for me.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Lol.

I'd be lying if I claimed to have never "tried" this technique, although my experience was not quite so....smooth?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Well I also know that once I finish the book I'm not going to remember much about it no matter how engaged I was, so that might play into it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 hour ago

Umm. You know. There might be a connection here?

Nah. That would be too simple, right? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But I like your style! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I had the problem a lot in the beginning. I start and quit books several times over over the years. Then, one day it started working and it’s awesome.

Try it again, once it “clicks” you’ll just be able to do it when you want to.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Oh, I've finished a few books. I just occasionally take a while for a certain chapter!

Edit: I do appreciate the supportive attitude; however, it did feel unintentionally dismissive. Fwiw, I was venting, not looking for a solution!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

All good! Were different people and what works for me might not work for you! I just love books and I want you to be able to enjoy them too. :)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

I realized a while back I wasn't reading anymore. But as a kid, I was the one who'd use a flashlight to read under a blanket to avoid getting caught staying up. I'd even read a book walking between classes in highschool, navigating with my peripheral vision (I realized I never needed a whole five minutes for class change, so what better way to use up the time?).

So, definitely on the same team!