Why cant i take in what i read?

Bazey

fluffnutter wrote: »

It's nice that so many of us are helping the OP, but perhaps we should try to keep our responses short.

and don't use big words.

Hermia

greenorange wrote: »

I know how you feel. I can read a book, and after a page or two, my mind is thinking about something completely unrelated. I just cannot concentrate for long at all.

It's a real problem, as I'm at university. Getting extra sleep, eating healthy etc, doesn't seem to solve the problem. I've just accepted I've got a brain that doesn't like to concentrate on one thing for too long.

I think it's also that our society is making us like this. When I look back at the some of the great documentaries of the past I cannot imagine a TV station making an hour long documentary with someone just talking at the camera. Now it's all whizzy graphics and talking in soundbites. I have so many intelligent friends who now go to Buzzfeed-style websites for their news where it's 90% pictures and a few sentences. Over time, you do lose your ability to concentrate.

greenorange wrote: »

A bigger problem for me is I do not remember people's faces and names. I've had full blown conversations with people, and ended up walking straight past them the next day because I just cannot remember faces.

I have always been like this. When I start a new job I keep some paper and a pen in my pocket and frequently pop to the loo to jot down names and a brief description of their appearance!

Goldiegirl

I've found this thread rather re-assuring.

I love to read, and I always have a book on the go. But I do find that after a couple of weeks, I can barely remember the story. If my husband goes on to read the book, and wants to talk about it, I sometimes wonder if I really did read the book in the first place.

Same with TV programmes and sporting events. Can't remember what happened or who won what.

Newspapers and magazines - I always used to read these, but now can only leaf through the pages.

I never used to be like this - I was the memory women and could remember everything.

Now I forget and struggle to concentrate.

I have put it down to an age thing ( I'm 53). But whatever the reason, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one.

As for the OP, others have mentioned Audio books - that's what I was going to suggest. Maybe it'd be easier to have the story read to you.

HPoirot

fluffnutter wrote: »

It's nice that so many of us are helping the OP, but perhaps we should try to keep our responses short.

Bazey wrote: »

and don't use big words.

Yep, these are the only posts I've managed to take in.

pearl123

Maybe test yourself. Read two pages then close the book. Then try and write some notes about what you just read. If you can write some notes your memory must be reasonable. Work your brain - it should get easier. If you feel something is not right check it out.

Savvy_Sue

Hermia wrote: »

I think it's also that our society is making us like this. When I look back at the some of the great documentaries of the past I cannot imagine a TV station making an hour long documentary with someone just talking at the camera. Now it's all whizzy graphics and talking in soundbites.

C4 documentaries: I can't bear to watch them, even if I'm interested in the subject.

In this documentary, we're going to tell you about x, y and z.

X

We've just told you about X. Next we're going to tell you about y and z.

Adverts.

In this documentary, we said we'd tell you about x, y and z.

Before the break, we told you about X.

Y

We've just told you about X and Y. Next we're going to tell you about z.

Adverts.

In this documentary, we said we'd tell you about x, y and z.

Earlier, we told you about X and Y.

Z

We've just told you about Z. We already told you about X and Y. Next we're going to tell you all over again.

Adverts.

Earlier in this documentary we told you about X, Y and Z.

X, Y and Z.

The end.

longwalks1

thanks everyone, am slowly sifitng through your replies (my concentration goes even after 5 minutes on a forum!) its actually a boo kabout over thinking (i know, i know). Really want to get into it but struggling, will update you individually on your posts if i have a reply for them

building_with_lego

Bazey wrote: »

I'm no expert but I think it has it has something to do with money.

"First", "second" and "third world" are actually Cold War terms- we were the First World, the Commies the second and everyone else was "Third World". The "First World" just so happened to be most of the rich, Western countries and the "Third" was mostly countries who kept well out of the whole thing but who tended to have smaller economies.

Mojisola

Are you getting enough sleep? Cognitive function and memory both deteriorate if you don't get enough sleep.

joansgirl

greenorange wrote: »

I know how you feel. I can read a book, and after a page or two, my mind is thinking about something completely unrelated. I just cannot concentrate for long at all.

It's a real problem, as I'm at university. Getting extra sleep, eating healthy etc, doesn't seem to solve the problem. I've just accepted I've got a brain that doesn't like to concentrate on one thing for too long.

A bigger problem for me is I do not remember people's faces and names. I've had full blown conversations with people, and ended up walking straight past them the next day because I just cannot remember faces.

Are you Me? I don't recognise people out of context. If I see somebody from work in the street, I'll walk straight past them!