Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Many people with ADHD find reading far more demanding than shorter or more interactive tasks. According to NICE guidance, inattention, distractibility, and working-memory limits can make it difficult to sustain focus on lengthy or less engaging text. Unlike dyslexia, which affects word decoding, ADHD mainly disrupts the consistency of attention and mental stamina needed for comprehension and retention.
Why focusing on reading is harder with ADHD
Reading requires both sustained concentration and the ability to hold and process information across sentences. A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that inattention and impulsivity often lead to skimming or “reading without encoding,” where words are processed but not absorbed. Similarly, a 2025 working-memory study showed that people with ADHD have difficulty holding phrases in mind, leading to frequent rereading and loss of flow.
Eye-tracking research also shows that readers with ADHD make shorter fixations and more frequent gaze shifts, which interrupts smooth line-by-line reading. Emotional factors play a role too: boredom or frustration can rapidly break concentration, while high interest may trigger “hyperfocus” periods of intense but unpredictable attention.
For those seeking diagnosis or post-diagnostic support, private services such as ADHD Certify provide ADHD assessments for adults and children in the UK, following NICE-aligned standards of care.
Key takeaway
ADHD can make focusing on reading difficult due to attention, working-memory, and processing-speed differences rather than decoding problems. Structured reading strategies, engaging material, and professional support can make sustained reading easier and more rewarding.
Avery Lombardi, MSc
Author
Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.
All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.
All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.
