Seriously thoughtful READING BURNOUT

[recluse]

Has it ever happened to you? I went through it about two years ago. I sat down one day with a much anticipated new book, and found it didn't make sense. I figured, oh well, it's a dud and let it go at that. What followed was two weeks of pure Hell. Everyhing I tried to read seemed to be written in code. My retention was shot. Old favorites were pure gibberish. At first, I thought I had late onset dyslexia. Then I thought stroke. At the one week mark, I considered suicide. I couldn't even recall my own phone #! When it finally ended, I was a twitching wreck. Just wanted to share. I got no one out here to ask.

[Katti's Cat]

Similar - reading without seeing the words let alone comprehending the meaning of the word. Sentences didn't exist, only single words that I struggled with.

Me, a lifelong reader of 4-5 books / week ended up not touching a book for nearly 9 months. No interest, no comprehension. And all of a sudden too much time on my hands thinking about my sad pathetic life.

Alas, that period is over - I am now reading again, although still very slow and not back up to speed. But I have found interest and comprehension again.

[GraceKrispy]

When I go through the "I donʻt want to read anything" moments (aka days/weeks), I do logic problems and other puzzles instead. Sometimes my brain needs a different type of stimulation.

[Sweetpea]

I'm with Grace here. There are times when I'll read anything that has lettering, and sometimes I hardly touch a book. I'm in a in-between phase right now, I read but not overly much.

[poohbear_nc]

Reading burnout hits most readers I think - it may be our brain's not so subtle way of saying: "Hey - I'm full - more reading will over stuff me and that hurts! Stop it! Stop it now!"

I usually find watching network TV for one night can cure this and get me right back to the printed page. (Of course anything makes more sense than network TV shows).

[pshrynk]

Emotional states have a lot to do with comprehension. If you are agitated or angry, depressed and stressed out, your hippocampus and amygdal reagions of your brain turn to other things that are given higher priority and reading and enjoying stories gets sidelined. After a spell, the comprehension returns.

[rhadin]

Interesting question. I have to admit that I can't recall ever having reading burnout as OP described. I have had it for particular types of books, but not for reading in toto.

OTOH, about 10 years ago I suffered TV burnout and still can't bring myself to watch any TV program (with the exception of the presidential debates every 4 years). In fact, I think the last time I sat for any length of time in front of the TV was the Clinton impeachment.

Similarly, about 18 months ago I had video burnout. We used to watch a video or two every weekend; I haven't had the patience to sit through one since the burnout.

But reading burnout? Not yet, and hopefully never.

[GeoffC]

nope - well only non-fiction, it makes my brain hurt ...

[banjobama]

I don't think this has ever happened to me. Some days I don't feel like reading, so I might watch TV instead, something I don't do much of. This doesn't happen for more than a couple days in a row, though.

[kindlekitten]

I occasionally take a break and do a lot of embroidery and beading. that's becoming more and more rare these days though

[recluse]

Thanks to everyone for their input. You've given me alot to think about. My social anxiety is the root cause for my burnout. All input, no output. The fact that my life revolves around reading too much, too fast ( up to a book a day on average) is taking it's toll. Probably explains the insomnia and nightmares too. I've got to find another hobby. Thanks again, everybody!

Jon

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by rhadin

OTOH, about 10 years ago I suffered TV burnout and still can't bring myself to watch any TV program...

Similarly, about 18 months ago I had video burnout. We used to watch a video or two every weekend; I haven't had the patience to sit through one since the burnout.

Perhaps my experience is the same. For about fifteen years, I've felt uncomfortable sitting still watching the television screen. I now much prefer to listen to the radio broadcasts of ballgames.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by recluse

Thanks to everyone for their input. You've given me alot to think about. My social anxiety is the root cause for my burnout. All input, no output. The fact that my life revolves around reading too much, too fast ( up to a book a day on average) is taking it's toll. Probably explains the insomnia and nightmares too. I've got to find another hobby. Thanks again, everybody!

Jon

But I thought WE were your new hobby!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

But I thought WE were your new hobby!

we are. he's just in denial. assimilation hasn't set in yet

[=X=]

Originally Posted by recluse

Has it ever happened to you?

Yes but not too this extent. It happened years ago my college days. At that time I was reading tons of stuff. Religion, philosophy, mysticism, fiction, history, science. (on top of my academic course material). Suffice to say aside from the girlfriend, work, and school. My nose was stuck in books.

One day while I was forcing my way through a book I a thought came to me.
"books are archives of knowledge, but what is knowledge without lives experience"

The premise is that one needs to nourish the physical, spiritual, and mental energizes. In my exerience and observation too much in one area causes an imbalance, which usually leads to depression or anxieties

Since that moment I reduced the amount I read in order to give time for other activities.