In 1999, Clark
Elliott was in a fairly minor automobile accident. He had a moment of
blackout, but thought that his symptoms would quickly pass. They
didn't. He experienced intense pain in his skull, suffered balance
problems, had trouble thinking for any extended period of time, and
suffered bouts of nausea when concentrating hard.
Medical
professionals were unable to help him, suggesting that he learn to
live with his symptoms. Clark is a remarkable person. He did live
with his symptoms for ten years and during that time recorded his
struggle to cope and understand his problems. Being a professor of
artificial intelligence, he described his symptoms in language
relating to information processing. Although at times his
descriptions become a little technical, he offers simplified examples
so the book is easy to follow.
The descriptions of
how the cognitive processes in his brain appeared to work are
fascinating. Because his thinking speed was slowed, he was able to
analyze the way his brain worked to retrieve and process information.
Anyone interested in cognitive psychology should read this book.
Necessarily, it is one person's experience, and therefore, a case
study. However, it is a case study that suggests a number of pathways
for future research.
Perhaps one of the
most significant sections of the book for anyone suffering from the
effects of concussion is the part about his eventual successful
treatment. I highly recommend this to anyone suffering from
concussion and looking to understand and get treatment for their
symptoms.
I reviewed this book
for the Amazon Vine Program.
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