LPT: trick yourself into being interested in/excited about something you’re not.

Submitted by piutartufi t3_11a61pm in LifeProTips

As someone who has struggled with ADHD for most of my life, something that’s always been extremely difficult for me is reading about topics I’m not interested in. As soon as I see a topic I don’t find engaging I feel my eyes glaze over and I can’t absorb the words I’m reading, and often find myself reading the same passage 10+ times over.

Out of desperation, I tried something new. Let’s say I was reading about trains (no hate to trains, just an example). Before I started reading I would tell myself, “Trains?! Cool! I love learning about trains! They are so interesting! Let’s see what I can learn.” After doing this a few times, I realized it actually worked a lot of the time! I had essentially made myself believe the topic was in fact interesting to me, which finally allowed me to focus on it. Doesn’t work every time but worth a shot!

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saltinstiens_monster t1_j9q6grc wrote

My favorite illustration of this was an image someone posted a while ago of some textbook that they edited. It was something like "Advanced Mathematical Principals," and they wrote "Harry Potter and the" above the title.

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piutartufi OP t1_j9uh712 wrote

Haha, that is a great idea! Will have to try this :)

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Thatonegirl_101 t1_j9q5826 wrote

I’d like to add something that has helped me with attention issues while reading- an ADHD Conrad. Read a loud! If possible I find the book online and have the computer read it to me or I’ll have the talk back feature on the computer to read research articles. It’s helped with my mind wandering off while trying to retain information.

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piutartufi OP t1_j9uhdxr wrote

Audiobooks have changed my LIFE. No matter where my mind wants to go, the audiobook keeps reading, so I need to pay attention! I can read so much faster this way. So glad it’s helped you too!

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enlitenme t1_j9uyrqg wrote

This is very true. Studies have shown that we retain less and read slower on screen vs paper. Reading aloud helps engage other faculties in the process.

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Kpt1NSANO t1_j9q56id wrote

Like forcing your face to Smile eventually tricks your brain into thinking you're happy 🤣

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piutartufi OP t1_j9uhfvm wrote

Haha I was thinking this too- fake it till you make it!

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keepthetips t1_j9pzr9x wrote

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humvee911 t1_j9q4s16 wrote

I agree. Instead of thinking of learning as "hard work," think of it as a satisfaction to your curiosity.

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wildfire98 t1_j9qv4a0 wrote

Hrmm... I (ADHD) usually think of reading as hard work in general, I'll have to practice this for a while it's become a core belief at this point making my brain shut down.

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piutartufi OP t1_j9uhsle wrote

Yes, definitely try it! I hated reading for so much of my life till I realized it was because of ADHD. And then once college was over and I didn’t have to read x number of pages by a certain deadline, I could embrace the fact that I was a “slow reader” and finally enjoy it for once. It took the pressure off of it and allowed me to finally do it just for pleasure.

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Rage__J t1_j9q4y96 wrote

Fellow ADHDer…this works for me too!

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