Worst part is when you keep trying and get into a loop and can't understand the words

genuine adhd moment, legit

It happens a lot if I am distracted by anything or can't get into the material I'm reading. I've had to reread a lot of chapters.

You keep reading because reading is a reflex. If you can't get your attention, you'll keep reading, but you'll be contemplating in your imagination. This is normal.

Hmm, sorry what?

This happens to me when I read when I'm tired.

On the other hand, when I'm excited by what's going on in the book my brain wants to skip ahead.

This is why I have a hard time getting into or even reading books in general. I just... stop processing.

I have ADHD (extra-spicy type) and this is a super normal symptom for me. Also happens with movies and tv.

Yep, some books I just can't get into and it's like I'm reading them but not taking in anything? I find this happens a lot with textbooks and documentation and I have to really try hard to focus on what I'm reading

Yes, I do this all the time. I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffers from this.

This is common enough for me, that I feel the english language needs a good new word to describe it.

I asked ChatGPT what word it would use to describe this experience, and here is what it came up with.

Certainly! I propose the word "lexidaze" (pronounced lex-ih-daze) to describe the feeling you've described. Here's the definition and usage example:

Word: Lexidaze

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: The act of reading a book while being completely absorbed in the words, but failing to comprehend or process their meaning, resulting in a disorienting feeling of confusion about the plot. Example: As I delved deeper into the novel, I became so engrossed in the sentences that I started to lexidaze, losing track of the storyline and finding myself perplexed by the events unfolding before me.

I hope this newly created word captures the essence of the experience you were looking to describe! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.

This happens to me all the time, often I'll zone out until the end of a paragraph before I realized what's happened. Nice to know it's fairly common, I've always chalked it up to aphantasia or adhd

I listen to a ton of audiobooks and I'm constantly rewinding when I realize I've zoned out and missed half a chapter.

This is the only way I can read fiction, I can't connect the words to build a story, also I'm bad with names so I have trouble keeping character stories straight in my mind. For non fiction on technical articles I do not have an issue.

All the time. I end up taking a while to read through a book even though my reading speed is pretty good because I'll read through 3 pages and realize I wasn't comprehending anything lol

I do it all the time!

It's called being neurodivergent xD

I do this to literally every book every time I read

Yep. That's when I realize it's time to put down the book and do something else. Because clearly my mind is not on the book.

I have diagnosed ADHD and this is exactly my crux with reading books. I love reading books but this is what happens... Amusingly enough if I find a book that I love I'll crush it but retaining the books plot or many details is really difficult.

Happens more and more... shorter attention span and/or too tired to focus properly.

I have it especially with audiobooks. Get distracted, miss entire chapter.

Yep, I zone out and have to backtrack a bit to figure out what’s going on

I find this happening a lot when I get bored of a story.

I try to have dedicated time to read/listen to books. I recently started to read an ebook and listen to the audiobook at the same time. I usually only listen to audiobooks with narrators I enjoy listening to so I don't mind if they read at a slower pace than I read in my head. I read PHM, the entire Bobiverse series, one of Obama's books, one of Trever Noah's books, and planning on reading The Three Body Problem this way.

Lol I recommend you don't try reading Malazan.

Happens way too many times. The best way is to take a break and continue later!

Happens to me too even while playing video games. I would feel like I AM paying attention could have sworn I did but then after all said is done I’m like “Wait what did they say?!”

I'd say it's normal for this to happen once in a while, you could be fatigued or distracted by other thoughts. If it happens every single time you try to read something it might indicate an issue. I can tell my blood glucose is tanking fast and possibly having a hypo if I'm having trouble comprehending what I'm trying to read.

Definitely, especially if too early in the morning and my mind still churning sorting out stuff for the rest of the day. Or just plain stressed.

Certainly. Happens to me sometimes. Less so in my mother tongue.

Also in podcasts I listen to, I often realize that I don't really follow the meaning.

Might be a sign that the book is not interesting to you.

I've definitely gone on autopilot while reading. Used to happen all of the time with college textbooks. My eyes are clearly scanning the words, but my attention is on some other thought. End up having to circle back and re-read that section.

Yeah. It happens more often when I'm tired, and I'll only skip over a few paragraphs, but I've definitely been there.