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Talk with the doctor about depression. Genuinely out of all methods I tried for faster reading it turned out antidepressants helped multiple times more than any

Talk with the doctor about depression. Genuinely out of all methods I tried for faster reading it turned out antidepressants helped multiple times more than any technique. I know it sounds bizarre but if you're struggling with reading and it feels like every books drags through weeks then it's your best shot.

thevagrant 5y ago
An ssri? How long did it take to notice an improvement? Did the improvement wear off after taking it for a long time?
- Errancer 5y ago
  They started to work after 3 weeks. I'm still taking them but overall, even if I'm after the first enthusiastic wave of energy, my capacity for reading is much higher than before. For context I started reading one book at the beginning of the year and I couldn't finish it before I started my therapy and after it (I started this March) I finished 3 books in 2 weeks. Currently I'm capable of reading around 4 books a month. I'm mostly reading academic philosophy and work full time while studying on university so it's a huge improvement for me. I guess the effect can differ but I believe it's worth a shot for everyone having similar problems.
  - ultrastable 5y ago
    not got anything against SSRIs or self-medication but given their low success rate & the withdrawal symptoms they can create, this isn't necessarily something I'd recommend
frereubu 5y ago
This is irresponsible advice. OP made absolutely no mention of depression and you're suggesting medication that can have serious downsides on the offchance that they can read more?
- Errancer 5y ago
  I'm suggesting talking with the doctor about it to check if it might be the case. Why do you treat OP like they're incapable of self-responsibility so that I must protect them?
johnorourke 5y ago
This might say more about how having an anxiety-free mind allows for better and more consistent focus, than it does about specific medicine having a direct effect on reading speed.

thevagrant 5y ago

An ssri? How long did it take to notice an improvement? Did the improvement wear off after taking it for a long time?

Errancer 5y ago
They started to work after 3 weeks. I'm still taking them but overall, even if I'm after the first enthusiastic wave of energy, my capacity for reading is much higher than before. For context I started reading one book at the beginning of the year and I couldn't finish it before I started my therapy and after it (I started this March) I finished 3 books in 2 weeks. Currently I'm capable of reading around 4 books a month. I'm mostly reading academic philosophy and work full time while studying on university so it's a huge improvement for me. I guess the effect can differ but I believe it's worth a shot for everyone having similar problems.
- ultrastable 5y ago
  not got anything against SSRIs or self-medication but given their low success rate & the withdrawal symptoms they can create, this isn't necessarily something I'd recommend

frereubu 5y ago

This is irresponsible advice. OP made absolutely no mention of depression and you're suggesting medication that can have serious downsides on the offchance that they can read more?

Errancer 5y ago
I'm suggesting talking with the doctor about it to check if it might be the case. Why do you treat OP like they're incapable of self-responsibility so that I must protect them?

johnorourke 5y ago

This might say more about how having an anxiety-free mind allows for better and more consistent focus, than it does about specific medicine having a direct effect on reading speed.