Neurological Problems, Essay Example

What was Dr. P’s problem?  Did he know about it?  How did he compensate for it? Did it affect his sense of self?

Dr P was unable to make sense of objects and recognize faces. After analyzing them, he could cognitively assess the shapes and qualities, to assign them with meanings. His brain literally functioned like a computer: analyzed different aspects of objects, but was unable to assign them with abstract meanings.

What was Jimmie G.’s problem?  Did he know about it?  When did it seem not to matter?  What is his sense of self?

Jimmie G. is not aware of his problem: being unable to use his short term memory. He remembers every detail from his distant pass, up to the war, but does not recall conversations that took place a few minutes back. He is stuck in the moment, as Dr Sacks describes it. His identity is of a 19-year old boy who fought in the war. He is, however, able to make meaningful conversations about the past, and communicate in the present, even though the does not remember the conversation later on. In the chapel, he can connect with the moment, and he feels present. It does not matter if he does not remember his visit; he still takes away the spiritual strength. He, however, does not have any sense of the self, he does not feel anything about life; neither happy nor sad.

Describe Mr. Thompson’s condition.

Mr. Thompson cannot remember anything for more than a few seconds. He has trouble with recognizing people, only those he has known for a long time, and can identify by some type of distinctive feature, such as white coat. He has Korsakov’s syndrome, just like Jimmie G, but in a psychosis form. As Dr. Sacks describes:  he is lost in unreality. He lost connection with his inner reality, and in order to reconnect with his memories, he makes them up.

What was Rebecca’s problem? Did she know about it?  What lesson did she teach to Dr. Sacks?

Even though Rebecca is considered a mentally retarded person, as she does not have a sense of space, direction, or awareness of the outside world, she is a deeply feeling individual, who loves beauty, nature, and poetry. Her story shows Dr. Sacks that humans are made of more than cognitive skills. In some cases, people who lack IQ have extraordinary EQ, and can be a full person spiritually.

Works Cited

Sacks, O. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat. 2011. Print.