Book Review: The Disordered Mind

“Self-awareness leads us to question who we are and why we exist,” writes Eric R. Kandel. Seeking answers to questions like this is what makes us human, but how do we explain how our consciousness arises from the physical matter that is our brain? In his new groundbreaking book, The Disordered Mind: What Unusual Brains Tell Us About Ourselves, acclaimed neuroscientist Eric R. Kandel looks not at the brain in function, but rather conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s and addiction to help us uncover what it means to be human. While disruptions of brain function can be traumatic and frightening, they can also give us tremendous insight into how the brain functions. Just one example is the remarkable instances of creativity seen with schrizophrenia and bipolar disorder — which arise from the same connections between brain, mind, and behavior seen in everyone. Kandel writes, “As research into the brain and mind advances, it appears increasingly likely that there are actually no profound differences between neurological and psychiatric illnesses and that as we understand them better, more and more similarities will emerge.” Research with autistics has uncovered that integral to grasping the theory of mind is understanding both behavioral intention and facial expression — two abilities that are challenging for those with autism. Insights such as this have led us to also understand the purpose of social intera...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Antipsychotics Autism / Asperger's Bipolar Book Reviews Creativity Disorders General Medications Neuroscience Psychology Schizophrenia Stigma Stress Treatment Amygdala Bipolar Disorder cortisol Hippocampus Kandel The Source Type: news