Reading after Brain Injury
It has been about 6 years since I had a grand mal seizure that finally got the attention of doctors and eventually led to a diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis. Getting back to reading took a long time due to the effects of acquired brain injury on my brain. For over a year I couldn’t tolerate reading for pleasure and reading anything on a screen bigger than my phone as a result of how my brain was affected by the disease.
Headaches, Dizziness and Memory Challenges
Initially when I tried to go back to reading a book, I found it overwhelming and unpleasant as I couldn’t tolerate the dizziness and headaches that it brought on. And then there was the problem with my memory! I found myself reading and re-reading the same line over and over. As I continued with different rehab therapies to help improve my visual systems and memory, things slowly started to improve (there’s a whole chapter in my book about various rehab therapies). Somehow a friend knew that I needed something easier to read and sent me a copy of Maud by Melanie Fishbane, a delightful young adult novel about the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery. It came at a perfect time and it reminded me of how escaping into a good book (in this case into the time of Anne of Green Gables) can be like a balm for a recovering brain.
Tips to Help Get Back into Reading
If you’re having trouble getting back to reading after brain injury, here’s what I suggest:
- Read an actual book (not an e-reader) to make it easier on the brain
- Choose a larger print book and make sure you have good lighting
- Try something simpler like a Young Adult Novel - the stories are easier to follow and you can build up your stamina to read what you once enjoyed reading
- If you’re reading a book with lots of facts to remember, try reading with a highlighter in hand and highlight key details as you go along
- At the end of each section, practice giving yourself a recap of what you’ve just read to see how you are doing
- Read at your own pace and increase your reading time as your brain tolerates/adapts to it
Benefits of Reading
Overall, reading is good for the brain. It can improve concentration and the ability to focus. Over time, reading can improve memory and even help create new neural pathways. Reading a book can decrease stress and improve sleep, especially if you choose an actual book and limit screen time before bed - all good things for a healthy brain.
What I’m Reading
I always read more in the summer as the pace of life slows down and we “unplug” while on vacation at our cottage in Ontario where we don’t have wifi or tv. It’s our sacred space for this reason. I have a variety of books on my reading list this summer. Some easier reads, some more challenging, and some I might not even get to! In any case I’m looking forward to some downtime to enjoy reading. Here’s what’s on my summer reading list:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Breath by James Nestor
The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Dirty Girl by Wendie Trubow
What are you reading this summer?
