Deep in the Brain: Living with Parkinson's Disease

by Helmut Dubiel, Colin Hurst (Translator), Philip Schmitz (Translation)

At the age of forty-six, philosopher and university professor Helmut Dubiel was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In the early stages of his sickness, fearing censure and ostracism, Dubiel did his utmost to conceal his condition. But when his symptoms became too obvious to camouflage, he was obliged to admit defeat and decided to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery. Following this operation, Dubiel found himself in possession of a peculiar power: with little more than the flick of a switch he was able to choose between a personality defined as irascible and maudlin and the lucid, quick-thinking academic he had always been.

In this fascinating book, Dubiel describes the course of his illness with a philosopher's aplomb, ennobling his personal experience with intellectual flair and scientific insight as he makes connections between his own medical drama and some of today's most significant global tendencies.

Above all, Deep Within the Brain describes a battle: the battle between the inclination to give up, to view oneself as dead to the world, and the force necessary to reinvent oneself and rise above one's illness. Devoid of self-pity, Dubiel vanquishes his illness by using it as a source of philosophical reflection on the twofold nature of modern medicine, the meaning of success and acceptance, and the true nature of that capricious creature we call "I".

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Karishma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a student of neuropsychiatry, one can't help being curious about this slim volume of a memoir written by Helmut Dubiel, who was a professor of sociology in Germany when he was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's disease.

So often considered by me and others like me as one of the more treatable of neurodegenerative conditions, I have realized that I tend to overlook the sheer havoc it wreaks in the life of the sufferer. Its classic description of a triad of slowness, rigidity and tremors at rest barely capture the frightening sensation of immobility, the loss of emotional expression, and the gradual restriction of one's life that the disease brings in its wake, not to mention the psychiatric manifestations like the severe depressive episodes and even psychosis it is sometimes accompanied by. Even the supposedly magical drug, L-dopa becomes the harbinger of grotesque dyskinesias and abrupt "off-phases" after several years of its use, either through drug sensitivity or disease progression.

Dubiel describes living through these symptoms, and having his vitality stolen from him slowly yet surely as he struggled to keep his condition a secret as his visible symptoms got worse and ever harder to conceal. It was in New York, a city the author fondly describes as a place where everyone is atleast slightly weird, that he finally gave up trying to hide his symptoms and started to work through them.

As drug therapy began to cause more problems for him than it solved, the author's much longed-for cure in the form of deep brain stimulation went horribly wrong as the neural implants that were meant to mitigate his motor symptoms only made his overall functioning worse as he plunged into a deep depression soon after surgery and lost his facility with speech leading to a life spent in virtual isolation.

Throughout this book, Dubiel fearlessly talks about various ugly ideas most of us would prefer to not contemplate for long.

From his own shame and his experience with stigma and his secretiveness, to his blackest depression and his callous and careless treatment at the hands of health workers including doctors to his candid confessions of selfishness and conscious avoidance of other disabled patients and even his admission that he must have been a difficult patient and a not-too-responsible father, Dubiel's brutal honesty ensures that you can never look away from the reality of living with the disease he wants us to gaze closely upon.

This book was a revelation for me, a view from the other side and a reminder that it is not easy to go through one's life with equanimity and kindness, but one must try nevertheless. And that the pain and pleasure of life are both equally worth it.

[Breindaanntouchet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago at age 63. Symptoms were tremor in right leg, loss of handwriting ability,My normally beautiful cursive writing was now small cramped printing and soft voice. I also had difficulty rising from a seated position and have balance issues. I started out taking only Azilect, then Mirapex, and then Sinemet. Several months ago I started falling frequently, hence the reason for Sinemet. During the summer of 2021, I was introduced to Health Herbs Clinic and their effective Parkinson’s herbal protocol. This protocol relieved symptoms significantly, even better than the medications I was given. Visit www . healthherbsclinic . com , After First month on treatment, my tremors mysterious stopped, had improvement walking. After I completed the treatment, all symptoms were gone. I live a more productive life. I was fortunate to have the loving support of my husband and family. I make it a point to appreciate every day!

[Acacia Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was very good, and I'll say it's got a great amount of information. I would say if you have interest or questions about the basics of Parkinson's this is a good book to read. I few years old but still gives a good idea of what it feels like to live with and age with the disease. Full review to come on my channel.

[Matina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease at 57.his symptoms were shuffling of feet,slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of hand writing, horrible driving skills, right arm held at 45 degree angle, things were tough for me, but now he finally free from the disease with the help of total cure from ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC, he now walks properly and all symptoms has reversed, he had trouble with balance especially at night, getting into the shower and exiting it is difficult,getting into bed is also another thing he finds impossible.we had to find a better solution for his condition which has really helped him a lot,the biggest helped we had was ultimate life clinic they walked us through the proper steps,am highly recommended this www.ultimatelifeclinic.com to anyone who needs help.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly written book.

Frankly, most books about Parkinson's are a bore, written by people whose literary greatness is largely work-in-progress. In addition, who wants to read another book on Parkinson's disease. Mr Dubiel, instead, merely uses his disease to provide insight into various issues such as stereotying, work life, medical advancement, the psyche etc.

A book that I can certainly relate to (Young Onset Person with Parkinson's as supposed to all the other stories' usual starting line "I'm 95 years old and i've just been diagnosed with PD" - please donot read this the wrong way, no disrespect intended whatsoever, just stating the reality. It is an old age disease)

May be it is just me, looking forward to any non-parkinson reader's feedback.

Thank You Mr Dubiel for having written this book.

[MaureenMcBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worthwhile for its insights about the social impact of having Parkinson's Disease. The professorial interludes were too deep for me, but people who did better in philosophy class may enjoy them.