SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

Thread made me wonder about losing the ability to focus, to read, to take in information for so long.

I've been stressed before in my life, I've been sad, worried etc., but I don't ever remember another time in my life when I couldn't sit and read a book. It's always been the place I went to dream and to learn. When the kids and H would ask me what present I wanted most I used to tell them a whole day to read, uninterrupted.

I used to escape into books when I was a kid and home wasn't such a nice place.

But for a couple of years after DDay, I couldn't read at all and I did try...I just couldn't focus. I wonder why.....is it a physical response? Is it because my brain was so distracted by the pain in my heart?

It's almost as though your brain goes into shock and shuts down for the long term. I think the area of the brain that is affected by deep emotions (like death and betrayal etc) must be close to the part of our brain that concentrates on reading so the 2 shut down in tandem.

That's my theory anyway. As the original poster of the book thread I knew my ability to read was directly related to FWH A as I can remember the book I was reading at the time I got an anon caller threatening me and I never did finish that book... and that was 6 months BEFORE I got the proof he was having an A!!

I aim to now nurture reading as it's something I used to use as an escape too prior to this crap. I too used to ask for books for presents.

S'funny as my IC who did EMDR with me told me reading would be one of the things I would start to be able to do again once I had processed all the crap from FWH's A. I attempted it soon after but gave up after a few pages.

MrsDoubtfire - I do find it strange that something I once used to help escape an unpleasant situation didn't work for me after DDay....I think something did 'turn off' in my brain.

I was so glad to have the ability return and have three or four books going at a time now. And I have a wonderful backlog to read as I have to catch up with all the good books that I'd missed during 2009, 2010 and 2011.

I really hadn't thought about this until I'd read your post though and can see that I've healed considerably as the focus and pleasure of reading has definitely returned.

I used to escape into books when I was a kid and home wasn't such a nice place.

Same! I've only been able to read books about infidelity since DDay. I can't follow a sentence or a storyline from a novel right now, without my mind going to affair movie mode

One 2-day exception: I downloaded "Where'd Ya Go Bernadette?" and was able to get through it quickly. It's written as a series of letters/emails so no long involved paragraphs to keep focused on.

Can't wait to get back to voracious reading.

(((cheerless))) It took me a long time but am finally back in voracious reader mode and thoroughly enjoying it. Hope you get there soon!

A bibliphile here who lost her ability to read after d-day (except for infidelity books). I finally am able to read again. The simple joys in life are returning.

I was also an avid reader and do not read books except ones on infidelity either. I am constantly amazed at the horrible things that I have felt and then find out that many people have the same shit going on. I can read a magazine and stay focused but not on a novel. Your Dday is a couple of years before me so I am hoping this comes back as well.

I know for certain that part of my problem is that I like romance novels and it gives me severe anxiety to read about peoples chemistry when first meeting etc. Stuff I used to enjoy....now it makes me feel sick :(

Raising my hand too. I always had a book in progress. This was actually a New Year's resolution for me and I am there. I can do 'simple' reads but haven't been able to enjoy anything that takes more than 5 brain cells at a time. I'll get there though. It is always (in a wierd way) good to see others in the same place.

I too read infidelity books but in hindsight, I had to read them over and over. I don't think I was really absorbing the information and had to work at it.

There seem to be many of us with the same fallout regarding reading and I'd be curious to see if there is a general time frame, in my case a little over two years, before the ?ability? (if that's the right word) came back so I could read and focus again. They say it takes 2-5 years to recover from infidelity, maybe it takes 2-3 years to recover the focus to read???

It has been almost three years for me and I am just now getting to my stack (hoard) of magazines . I have started looking at the best seller lists with some interest.

I am glad some of 'me' is coming back. I am glad I can relax and lose myself to a good book- not be on alert, unable to concentrate.

I think you are right, perhaps there is some healing now

Well again this site reassures me that I am 'normal'. I tried reading a book my daughter lent me, I am/was also a voracious reader, but I could not read it. The only thing I read is this site, infidelity books and trying to find some selfhelp books to try. I love reading and am glad to hear the ability will return someday.

StillWantHim ....Nothing nicer than confirming on a gorgeous Saturday spring morning that we are, yes indeed, normal.....

Thankfully SI is here to help us know that and also be a source for advice, strength and occasionally some needed 2x4s..... Here's to all of us getting our reading groove back...and thanks to Mrs. Doubtfire for pointing out this is one more sign of healing.

H and I were both voracious readers...but I haven't been able to read in 9 months - not a single chapter. I keep buying books - but I can't read. My H asked me months ago "Nora - you don't read anymore..." and I replied that I just can't concentrate enough to understand what's on the page...and he starting crying - and apologized...

(((Nora)))) glad he apologized....

Hoping time will help heal and you'll be reading and enjoying books again soon.........