Retaining what you’ve read | ADHD Information
Also, thank goodness it's pleasure reading the posts, eh? At least 99.9% of them. But then again it's because we have a strong interest in them.BC, Canada, yes? I'm just south of ya! Seattle area.
Hey neighbour! I'm in Vancouver - just a couple of hours away.
I love your new avatar - very similar to mine as a matter of fact! Very depictive of the way I'd like to feel - carefree, without a worry in the world!
OK, seriously now...
Yes, it's a hell of a problem, not just at work when I'm given lengthy design documents and reports to read (I just quickly scan 'em and if I'm asked questions I wing it), but at home too.
I am fascinated by the history of the English people - the Angles, saxons, Jutes, etc. but all the books on this subject are rather stodgy, academic tomes. There is lots of stuff in those books that I want in my head, but that requires a level of reading ability that I just don't have. OK, I can read the words alright no problem - but when it comes to sentences and paragraphs I just can't do it. You should see my library - books on the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Lords and Kings, Viking invasions ... I've got dozens of 'em. And I might just as well try to read a telephone directory. It's frustrating as Hell.
Mark -
Mark Goode38402.6687962963How come I don't have that problem reading fiction? I can read a book and truly enjoy it. Perhaps it's because I couldn't read and comprehend while in school? My mom told me once I was able to read, she stopped reading to me at night, and let me read to her. I also liked to read fiction even at a young age. But tell me I HAD to, well....I can read and comprehend, but just can't retain the information!!!
[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]How come I don't have that problem reading fiction? I can read a book and truly enjoy it. Perhaps it's because I couldn't read and comprehend while in school? My mom told me once I was able to read, she stopped reading to me at night, and let me read to her. I also liked to read fiction even at a young age. But tell me I HAD to, well....
I can read and comprehend, but just can't retain the information!!! [/QUOTE]
I'm like that too. I can read a Terry Pratchett novel at one sitting, and enjoy every line. But how many 'serious' books are that easy to read? You read a novel to see what happens next, you're carried along by the narrative (assuming the author's any good) - but non-narrative books (if that's the right term) require a little effort to follow. I dunno about you, but that seems to be completely beyond me.
Mark -
I am the same way. I LOVE a good fictional book, but I can't get through textbooks, lengthy articles, or general interest books to save my life. I am reading "Driven to Distraction" right now, and some of it is easy to read (the parts written in story format), but when he starts getting back into textbook-ish style I have to put it down.
I was an avid reader all though school. When I was in university I stopped, and didn't start reading again until a year or two after I finished. I can read a good fiction novel and get so wrapped up in it I can't put it down for hours. But when I try to read my plumbing knowledge book at work, I can't get through 3 sentences.
Mark, I love learning about the old English civilizations too, but I can't get through a single textbook on the stuff either. My family immigrated from the Dorset area about 150-200 years ago. Besides that, my family name on my dad's side evolved from one of the oldest known Anglo-Saxon names in history. Pretty cool, but I just can't bring myself to learn more.
Finally, someone in my time zone! 
I never pass up a feline.
Oops, we're getting off the topic, aren't we. SO WHAT? Who cares? It's Saturday night.
Good post Gypsy!
I am also the very same way. I think we ADD/ADHDers are more visual learners, which make us unconventional by all accounts, which is why I really believe that our disorder is a product of the modern age. It must be related to the way our brain interprets information by what we can see instead of, just internalizing the information by thought alone. If I could learn my college subjects with the addition of video tape study I would be a straight-A student. But like many people I am bored to tears with reading about a subject because I am nearly incapable now of retaining information by reading alone, unless it is an extremely interesting and well-written book. But how many interesting books on computer language and mechanical engineering have you heard about? NONE, because there isn't any. These books and manuals are written by well-educated authors, who are most likely experts on the subjects, and who do not have ADD/ADHD, in otherwise, they are written for normal people.
Our specific needs for learning and retaining important information in order for us to be educated, as well as, everyone else requires a severe over haul in the country's educational system. However, this probably will not pertain to those gifted individuals with the disorder. Somehow they seem to overcome their handicap and succeed. Most gifted people are quickly recognized and almost always get the help they need from the system.
Please excuse the long drawn out explanation that was in my head about retaining reading material. I have not been in a very good place today and am a little more depressed than usual so I know I've over-analyzed the solution that I would impliment if I had the power.
I've had difficulty all my life retaining what I've read. In school, I did poorly in a most subjects because I could not retain the information required to read. I always envied students who could repeat verbatium what we were suppose to read. Even if it was something I was interested in, I had difficulty, because, as to this day, if I do retain the information, it remains in my brain, never making it to my mouth or keyboard/pen. Or I just can't put the words together --they run around upstairs looking for a place to land and gather -- then saying How long should we agonize Ronna? Ah, the frustration!If I look in a manual on how to do something, I have to keep returning to read it, to check what I've just read.
However, if I'm SHOWN how to do something, that's another story. Then I get it, usually the first time! Especially if it isn't shown or told to me to slowly....must be fast.
I may rave about a book I've just finished, and if someone asks me "Who's the author?" Uh, hmmm, oh, I can't remember...unless of course it's Stephen King or someone whom I may read on a regular basis.
But especially non-fiction...I have the worst time with the real stuff. Retaining the information, like the news. Ugh.
And, of course, I thought and my family thought I just wasn't as smart as those who did well on tests because they could remember or retain what they read or learned, or had photographic memories (another past post on that) -- having no idea it was due to ADHD and ADD.
Okay, you guys, it's your turn to express what I really mean in the way you always do. I SO appreciate reading my very own thought in your posts.
[QUOTE=GypsyWomyn]
Okay, you guys, it's your turn to express what I really mean in the way you always do. I SO appreciate reading my very own thought in your posts. [/QUOTE]
Yeah, well you see Gypsy -it's easy. Erm.. what was it you wrote again? 
Mark -
Ha Ha Ho Ho....you do make me laugh, Mark! You good medicine. Thanks