Has anyone ever experienced low moods/depression from reading excessively?

[19magic]

Like I've read 1/2 books every day, so much so it's taking over my working life I'm spending 3-6 maybe more hours a day reading. When I'm not reading I'm thinking about the characters, creating imaginary characters trying to develop the storyline or continue the story when it's ended. Always some fictional place with magic involved and in an outworldy place. I must keep reading till I've finished the book or specifically set aside time to binge 2-3 books in one evening. Set alarms to tell yourself it's bedtime because you want to escape in that world.

But I haven't been on a book binge for two weeks and have taken up cross stitching again in the evenings and have already noticed a difference in myself. I know some of it is due to getting better sleep but not all as the last week I've had many 3-5 hour nights.

Can anyone relate to this?

[CrazyGirl2]

Well I can’t say for certain that it was the reading, but as a teen I read obsessively. Now I’m in college, I’m reading less, but the reading is much more complex, as I’m reading textbooks and research papers, instead of interesting stories! But I definitely suffered with depression as a teen, I still do just not nearly as bad. A lot of women suffer with depression and anxiety due to our hormones! Even my transgender friend says she used to be miserable when she was a boy, but ever since she began estrogen, she felt sad WAY more, and now does suffer from depression… so?

[Kori1236]

Yes and no. So for me I’ll get depressed and sad if I’ve completed a book that ends on a cliffhanger and I know the next book doesn’t have a release date yet.


So for example I’m reading zodiac academy 8 sorrow and starlight it’s a great book, it’s massive and I usually only allow myself to read during work shifts where I’m able to. I didn’t finish book 6 and 7 UNTIL book 8 was a few weeks from release because I was warned about book 7 ending in a soul crushing way. I’m halfway through book 8, but haven’t read in about 2 weeks despite having the time just because I don’t feel like it. Life has picked up again so I feel like there are other more pressing things to do. So for me right now, I’m a little disappointed that I can’t make time to read but I’m also okay with it if that makes sense

[AydenHazor]

I find that reading helps me escape from depressive moods. I tend to read more when depressed, but not be depressed from reading binges

[Kyyroz]

Yup. It is a fact that people who read more/ are more intelligent suffer from depression more.

[AmeerX]

I noticed that reading does make me depressed. but maybe it's due to reading fantasies and things online. I read a lot of online stuff and the more extraordinary the things I read the more I want to do those things and I end up feeling more depressed. Part of it is jealousy and part of it is the coolness of the experience I am missing sitting at home or at work

[19magic]

That's the same with me, I totally have a go to usually involves magic - witches, vampires, weres, demons etc, mythology a bit of Greek gods/goddesses lately a fair bit of love, normally a strong heroine and an amazing adventure or something. But it is always magic even in the more realistic reads there is 99% magic, in fact I think the only books I have read that don't have magic are school books, pride and prejudice, my lady choosing and two Jordan Peterson books I've just brought but have yet to read.

In fact something I've been feeling a lot ever since I've watched ready player one (haven't read the book yet), is I'd definitely be one of those people who'd try and spend as much time as possible inside a computer. I really hope I can one day play phantasy Star or Pokémon in virtual reality.

[AmeerX]

Hi, I pm you about few things. You mentioned magic. Have you tried to perform it? Are you pagan?
Please if you are I am searching for a real pagan for a long time to talk to. Would you like to tell me a few questions I asked in pm. Thank you.

[dustybiker]

Yes. Completely relate. 🤓

[Agape93]

Nope, that's my escape from those low moods

[Guardian45]

Not from reading, but I suffer from PDD & PTSD

[19magic]

I was told by a couple of psychiatrists that I had PTSD I didn't believe them at the time, I think I've healed now from the truma but who knows if that was what it was or rather delayed response to a bad situation

[Guardian45]

@19magic. If you want to talk about PTSD DM me.