Why Mental Health Challenges Can Make Reading Difficult (and What to Do About It)

For a long time, I was a self-professed bookworm. Until suddenly, I wasn’t. Throughout school, I was a bookish child. You know, the kind who loved the library and devoured a book a day whenever they had the chance. Reading and writing were so important to my identity that I couldn’t imagine a day going by without peering at a book. When I went to university, things changed. I had less time to read for pleasure and was inundated with academic reading. The last thing I wanted to do was stare at more words. As university progressed, I collected more traumatic events than course credits, and my mental health got worse. Eventually, I received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and I dropped out.

When I dropped out of university, I had more time and energy to read for pleasure. Surprisingly, I found I couldn’t. That’s not to say I couldn’t sound out words or spell them — I literally worked as a writer at the time — but it was excruciatingly difficult to understand what I read. I found myself reading a paragraph over and over again without understanding a word of it. Or, if I actually managed to read and understand anything, I was mentally fatigued after just a few pages. This was happening to me, a lifelong bookworm, a writer, a lover of literature. I felt useless. Awful. Out of touch with the bookish person I always thought I was. It wasn’t just that I struggled to read, it’s that I struggled to enjoy it. Who could enjoy such a monumentally difficult task?

When I asked around about what was causing my sudden difficulties with reading, I was surprised to hear that many of my friends who also had mental health challenges were having the same struggle. “I always thought it was that university sucked the fun out of reading,” one of my friends said. “But now I’m pretty sure it’s tied to my PTSD.” Something else we all had in common? We all blamed ourselves for struggling to read. Most of us felt like we were just lazy, stupid, or not persistent enough. In my case, I felt like a fraud — someone who claimed to love reading and writing, but in reality, couldn’t read more than a few pages a day. The books I bought and never read sat on my shelf, taunting me.

It turns out there’s a psychological reason for this problem, and we’re definitely not alone. According to psychologists, it’s pretty common for mental illnesses to affect one’s ability to read. “Trauma absolutely affects cognitive ability, concentration, our ability to learn, and yes, even our ability to read,” says Alyssa Williamson, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma. “I commonly have clients come in thinking they have ADD or ADHD or anxiety, and many times they’re actually dealing with trauma.”

Why Mental Health Issues Impact Reading Comprehension

But why exactly does trauma affect our ability to read? To understand that, we first have to understand trauma. When we sense danger, our body prepares us to go into flight, fight, or freeze mode so we can protect ourselves from danger. At that moment, the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of our brain responsible for reading, math, and other deep-thinking tasks, is put on pause. This means that complex cognitive functions, like understanding nuanced text, can become significantly impaired.

Trauma can also affect the way we relate to others. Since reading often requires empathy, or imagining ourselves in the characters’ shoes, it can be very difficult to handle when you’ve experienced trauma. “Reading is a higher-function activity and one that requires us to allow ourselves to be absorbed in the mind of another in order to ‘receive’ their communication,” says Mark Vahrmeyer, an integrative psychotherapist. “If we are carrying unprocessed trauma… we may be able to read the words on a page — mechanically, like a machine — but we cannot use higher brain function to make sense of [them].”

This isn’t limited to trauma. Many mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and even chronic stress, can impact our concentration, memory, and processing speed. These are all essential components of effective reading. When these functions are compromised, the simple act of reading can feel like an uphill battle.

The Impact of Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety can manifest as racing thoughts, making it hard to focus on the text. You might find yourself constantly re-reading sentences because your mind is elsewhere, worrying about future events or perceived threats. This hypervigilance, a common symptom of anxiety, can make sustained attention impossible.

Depression often brings fatigue, a lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating. When you’re feeling low, the mental energy required to engage with a book can feel overwhelming. You might experience what’s sometimes called “brain fog,” where your thoughts feel sluggish and unclear, making comprehension a significant challenge. This can lead to feelings of frustration and further isolation.

Understanding ADHD and Concentration

For individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), maintaining focus is inherently difficult. Reading requires sustained attention, and the constant urge to shift focus can make it nearly impossible to follow a narrative or absorb information. The impulsivity associated with ADHD can also lead to jumping between paragraphs or getting easily distracted by external stimuli, even when trying to concentrate.

How Stress Affects Cognitive Function

Chronic stress floods the body with cortisol, a hormone that, in high levels, can impair cognitive functions, including memory and attention. When your brain is in a constant state of alert due to stress, it prioritizes survival responses over higher-level thinking. This can make it incredibly hard to sit down and engage with a book for an extended period.

Common Symptoms of Reading Difficulties Related to Mental Health

Recognizing these struggles is the first step. You might notice:

• Difficulty concentrating on the text, even for short periods.
• Re-reading sentences or paragraphs multiple times without understanding.
• Feeling mentally exhausted after reading only a few pages.
• Losing your place frequently or having your mind wander off while reading.
• Trouble remembering what you just read.
• Finding it hard to grasp the main ideas or follow the plot.
• A complete loss of interest in reading, even for favorite books.
• Feeling frustrated, guilty, or ashamed about your reading struggles.

Practical Strategies for Reading When Your Mental Health Suffers

It’s disheartening when something you love becomes a struggle. But there are ways to navigate these challenges and reclaim your enjoyment of reading. The key is to be patient with yourself and adapt your approach.

1. Adjust Your Expectations and Identity

If reading was a core part of your identity, it can be tough to accept that it’s currently difficult. Try to release the pressure of being a “bookworm.” Your worth isn’t tied to how many books you read or how quickly you comprehend them. Allow yourself to be where you are right now.

2. Start Small and Short

Instead of aiming for a lengthy novel, try shorter formats. This could include:

• Short stories
• Articles or blog posts
• Poetry
• Comics or graphic novels

This approach reduces the mental load and provides quicker wins, boosting your confidence.

3. Break It Down

If you do tackle a longer piece, divide it into smaller, manageable chunks. Aim to read just one chapter or even a few pages at a time. Set a timer if it helps, and give yourself permission to stop when the timer goes off, even if you haven’t finished your planned section.

4. Create a Conducive Reading Environment

Minimize distractions. Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer. If background noise helps you focus, try ambient music or nature sounds, but avoid anything with lyrics that could pull your attention away.

5. Use Active Reading Techniques

Engage with the text actively rather than passively. Try these methods:

• Highlighting or Underlining: Mark key phrases or sentences.
• Taking Notes: Jot down thoughts, questions, or summaries in the margins or a separate notebook.
• Summarizing: After each section or chapter, try to summarize what you read in your own words.
• Asking Questions: Pose questions about the text as you read (e.g.,

  What This Means In Daily Life

  Most people do not notice early warning signs right away. That is common. A simple symptom diary, basic routine checks, and timely follow-up visits can prevent small problems from becoming serious.

  If you are already on treatment, stay consistent with medicines and lifestyle advice. If your symptoms change, do not guess. Check with a qualified doctor and update your plan early.

  Simple Action Plan

  • Write down symptoms, triggers, and timing for a few days.

  • Carry old prescriptions and test reports to your consultation.

  • Ask clearly about side effects, red-flag signs, and follow-up dates.

  • Seek urgent care for severe pain, breathing trouble, bleeding, fainting, or sudden worsening.