Minutus

Hi,

I am just starting a great read of a book on migrains by Oliver Sacks.
He is pro-medications it seems, but the discussion assumes the mind
body connection. The case studies of the ambiguities and related
symptoms of migrain like nerve system pathologies are just like our
cases. Very detailed with the same interest in pattern identification
without concern for convient disease names.

I want to read more on physiology besides the dry chemical
descriptions. His descriptions clue into our rubrics and I think I
will learn something that will help me to get better at looking at
cases. I live in Japan where it is hard for me to get books, but I
have a chance to ask someone to bring me books.

Any suggestions?

Best,
Ellen Madono

I have no useful suggestions, but recognize the name of the author. He wrote another book with the marvelous title, "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat." ) I never did read it, but I'll bet it too would interest you. (Even aside from the title!)

Shannon

Yes he is a wonderful writer. I think I have read all his books except that one and this migraine book.

He has quite a few other books that I have really enjoyed, 'Seeing Voices' and 'the Island of the Colourblind' come to mind - I loved the way he shows traits that are usually considered disabilities as something of value. I was a bit disappointed on listening to him being interviewed though because he seemed to have such a conventional stance.
Gail

--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, Shannon Nelson wrote:

Maybe he is afraid of seeming too unconventional.
Is it the psychiatric aspect that makes his books so interesting? Only then are you going to get the mind body connection from a conventional MD.
I am trying to get my mind working to absorb information from non-homeopathy sources. I feel like I can only speak to a very narrow point of view that feels so comfortable. We are always fighting among ourselves so we are not so narrow, but I tend to avoid those arguements. So I guess I get narrow. Also, I am looking for presentations of information that speak to us but come from other perspectives.
Best,
Ellen