Why Reading Makes My ADHD Brain So Tired

I grew up hating reading.

My sister could read a book in a day. It would take me a month.

I have ADHD and Dyslexia. As I grew older a history of concussions added to the struggle. People told me I would like it. I waited. For two years I would read every morning for one hour. 

I didn't get better. I didn't enjoy it. 

I actually got worse at reading. 

I started to fall asleep when reading. A year later I had a concussion. I went to school, looked at the words in the textbook… Nothing, nothing at all. My brain shut off.

It was at that point I knew I wasn't lazy. Something was off.

The brain is about 2% of your body weight. The brain also uses roughly 20% of your daily energy. It was clear that I was using a lot more than 20%. Half a year went on until I could read. Painful eye therapy for months. I got better. Not perfect. I could do basic things. 

Concussions amplify ADHD. I could see the issues crystal clear. 

I didn't hate reading. I hated how I felt. 

I get lost in a world in my head. Pulled away just to focus on the next word. Back and forth. Over and over. Exhausted.

Reading for me was pulling teeth. Reading for my sister was like spreading warm butter on toast. 

What was the difference? 

For people without ADHD eye movement is automatic. No need to force themselves back to each word every time. 

As a child I struggled with reading. I was left behind. I never caught up. I was ashamed. But that's not all. 

I simply read differently.

I never knew there was more than one way to read. 

How do we calm the eyes down? How can we reduce stress? 

Colors matter. Spacing matters. The Words matter. Eye movement matters. Even the sounds we hear matter. We’ve built this into ZenRead. 

ADHD does not mean lazy. It does not mean dumb. In school ADHD is running the race with one shoe off. Don't run harder. Know the issue and adapt.

Stop forcing your brain. Work with your brain. 

I did. Now, for the first time in my life, I enjoy reading.