Brains That Work a Little Bit Differently: Recent Discoveries About 10 Common Mental Diversities

by Allen D. Bragdon, David Gamon

Conditions such as color blindness, seasonal affective disorder, alcoholism, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, obesity, autism, synesthesia, and even déjà vu all have specific brain-to-body connections. This book provides insights into the symptoms, causes, and consequences of these abnormalities in their milder forms, as well as correlations with other health matters that statistically accompany each condition. Checklists and testing exercises used for professional diagnosis of these cognitive abnormalities are provided, as are probable causes and consequences of each.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self Help, Health

125 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

The whimsical old dog with puzzle experience and a curious mind. Member of the Society for Neuroscience. Founding Editor of Games magazine, Editor of Playspace daily puzzle column formerly syndicated internationally by the New York Times. Author of dozens of books of professional and academic examinations and how-to instructions in practical skills. Director, The BrainWaves Center. During the summer, Allen writes from his office at the Brainwaves Center on Cape Cod and races sailboats. During the winter he works from his 14th century villa in Tuscany. You can contact him by e-mail at [email protected]

Reviews

[Dinah Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting quick read . . . I read a little each day as I have several other readings in progress at any given time. I found that I could relate to possibly being an Adult Eidetiker which I found fun— meaning mentally switching the orientation of a darker area of a box figure as being in the front of the box and switching the darker area to the back of the box figure, check it out!

[Arisu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zaczęłam czytać, ponieważ chciałam dowiedzieć się więcej o chorobach, które teraz posiada coraz to większa część społeczeństwa, chciałam dowiedzieć się więcej, aby potem nie mieć problemów z rozumieniem stanu i zachowań ludzi, którzy zmagają się z takimi chorobami jak autyzm, depresja czy zaburzenia osobowości. Dowiedziałam się również o chorobach, o których nie miałam nawet pojęcia: synestezja, słuch absolutny czy sezonowe zaburzenie afektywne. Pomimo powagi, jakie te tematy za sobą niosą, dobrze mi się czytało, dobrze dowiadywało mi się nowych informacji na temat schorzeń, jakich możemy doświadczyć lub z jakimi możemy się spotkać, rozmawiając z nowymi osobami. Wiem, że osoby z jakimikolwiek schorzeniami mają problemy z zawieraniem nowych znajomości, czasami przez brak szacunku czy akceptacji ze strony drugiej osoby, ale często też z niewiedzy ludzi, strachu. Chcę być tą osobą, która może zawrzeć znajomość z każdym, nieważne co jest z nim „nie tak” według innych.

[Michelle Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were 3.5 stars, because that is where I would've rated this book. It was very quick and easy to read, providing a general and brief overview of some of the more prevalent "unusual" brain workings such as ADD, Synesthesia, Perfect Pitch, and others. There were plenty of fun trivia type facts described for each condition. However, some of the information is now quite outdated (this book was written in the nineties), and some of it was just too over-simplified. I could see misconceptions arising from the generalized statements made in each area. All this being said, it was a fun little read that encourages further reading in the area of brain science.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm embarrassed it has taken me this long to read this book since it was given to me by my now daughter-in-law. It was certainly interesting and is very accessible. I think probably well done for its time, but it is of its time and I think most of it needs be updated with new research. One thing I didn't like was the talk of things being an "abnormality" meaning something is "normal." Probably again, of its time, but I'd like to see a more updated version of the same book. It doesn't go in depth into any real book, but only being 128 pages, it really couldn't. Overall a decent read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic peek into common diversities. It gives a fascinating idea of how they are caused, how people think when they have these diversities, and ways that people, in some cases, compensate for the things they lack. A great read for someone interested in psychology and physiology.

[Sybil Kibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to different forms of neurodiversity, I read this book before I found out I was on the autism spectrum. Perfect pitch, synaesthesia, photographic memory and other forms of it are discussed in an easy-to-understand form.

[Quill]

Pretty outdated info. I’m probably biased because I actually spent money to buy this book because I couldn’t find it elsewhere, but I wasn’t very happy with it.

[Veronica Guedez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read with examples and questions on different brain diversity with scientific backing.

[kinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fajnie i zwięźle.

[Jessica Bukowinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty short bit on each subject. Probably great if that is what you are looking for, but I would have preferred less subject matter and more depth.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title 1 word incorrect. Word 'Mental' not in title, replace with word 'Brain'.

Pretty much strictly for the physiological aspects in brain study, personal interest in Synesthesia, Deja Vu, Left Hand Dominance as compared to Ambidexterity. I didn't appreciate reference to 'abnormality' as there is average, no normal. 'Variation' would be more appropriate. Good information, diagrams. A fairly good book to start out with in organic originations of said variations. Covers a taste of some more common areas.

3 and 1/2 stars more accurately reflect my feelings as I felt it, although good initial information, a bit flippant in attitude.

[Dan Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book very much. It was a short yet thought provoking survey of brain function. I would like to read further into the real research that substaintiates the claims made in this book. It is a great starting point for further research and study on brain function and neural anatomy. More recent reasearch on transporter proteins makes some of the information outdated but it is still very good. Sections on neurochemistry are weak but what do you want in 123 pages!! A great beginner guide to brain diversity!

[Sabà Nefzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book and how it talked about Synesthesia and Handedness in particular. Those were my favorite parts.
The only thing that I didn't appreciate is that some sections lack more explanation.
But generally it's a good book that increases the appetite of reading more about the Neuroanatomy.

[Lamadia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sections were way to short and only had cursory information. It's been on my shelf for ages and I don't remember getting it, but it has a bargain sticker on it from a B&N, so it must have been one of those trips to the bookstore where you just pick up a bunch of sale books.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book covering new discoveries about
ADHD, perfect pitch, syesthesia, seasonal affective disorder, photographic memory, deju vu, handedness, dyslexia,
autism, and more.

[Robin]

PIcked up at Barnes and Nobles Used books. Great for lefties and dyslexia, ADD, SAD, etc.

[Arnpoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read, brief (and outdated at this point) overview of some interesting disorders of the brain.

[Veronika]

autism
deja vu
laterlity
absolutni sluch
fotograficka pamet
synesteyie

too brief and "popular"

[Emily Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

the most interesting was the chapter on synethesia