Posted by Ritch on December 1, 2002, at 10:48:57
In reply to Re: Anyone read Awakenings?, posted by Dinah on November 30, 2002, at 0:02:18
> I've finished reading it, but I'm not sure quite what to say. I haven't decided whether it's uplifting or depressing. I think I've figured out a bit what dopamine does to the brain. But I still have lots of questions, especially about the relationship between life circumstances and the symptoms the patients showed. Obviously it was a neurological condition, so I found it amazing that the patients could predict whether or not they were going to experience this side effect or that, or their ability to postpone it. It was intriguing to me. The book left me with as many questions as answers.
The connection between "movement", "flow", "time", etc.,-the "kinematic" experiences of the patients who freeze and their sense of time passing versus our usual sense of it passing was completely fascinating. I could identify with some of their feelings from experiencing EPS. The *mental* state that accompanies that (intense inner restlessness, feelings of being trapped, needing to move *faster*-like your mind is *running* but your muscles are blocked) was so right on the money. Also, the amazing variety of behavioral tics was mind boggling. I found a few tics in there I have recently experienced and remembered experiencing when I was much younger like sipping water, echolalia (when I was 10-12 years). I also find myself unconsciously assuming postures that people around me have at times.
>
> The most moving story, to me, was the woman who became delusional on the medication, and when the medication was removed accused the doctor of taking away the only thing she had left, the delusions, and without those delusions found she had nothing left to live for. It actually reminded me a bit of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.I especially liked the story about the woman who had the bearded men who came and visited every day at the same time!
>
> The number of deaths at each upheaval at the hospital was not something I was aware of, and I found that rather disturbing.
It is amazing how "tuned-in" they were to their surroundings, but seemingly appeared totally out of touch with reality.
poster:Ritch
thread:722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20020616/msgs/763.html