The Nobel Laureate Who Met a Polite Raccoon in the Woods

When the brain goes mad: 30 rare and unusual mental syndromes

by Monika Niehaus

Description

The human brain is a highly complex and highly functional structure consisting of almost 90 billion nerve cells. But it can go out of sync, due to genetic factors, hormonal effects, trauma or other causes. In extreme cases, our control centre then creates bizarre delusions – brilliant narratives that are completely convincing to the person concerned. In her second book on such phenomena, Monika Niehaus has compiled 30 rare psychological disorders – from a conviction to have been abducted by aliens, to being sexually attracted to criminals, to the hyperthymestical syndrome where people can remember every detail of their past life. Narrated in an interesting, humorous and sensitive way, the author relates a variety of cases, some of them famous, others less so, while introducing us to the history of art and literature and presenting scientific explanations. This fascinating book shows the genius that resides in our brain – and how madness can often be explained.

More Information

Author Biography

Dr. Monika Niehaus is a biologist. She works as a freelance author, journalist and scientific translator. In addition to several non-fiction books, she has also published fiction and short stories.

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Hirzel Verlag Stuttgart

Hirzel Verlag Stuttgart

Non-fiction books (f.e. society, health, ecology, evolution, philosophy) specialist books (f.e chemistry, physics, ancient history, history of science/medicine, German studies)

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Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher Hirzel Verlag
  • Publication Date 2019
  • Orginal LanguageGerman
  • ISBN/Identifier 9783777627991
  • FormatPaperback
  • Primary Price 21.90 EUR
  • Pages254
  • ReadershipGeneral
  • Publish StatusPublished
  • Original Language TitleDer Nobelpreisträger, der im Wald einen höflichen Waschbär traf. Wenn das Gehirn verrückt spielt: 30 seltene und ungewöhnliche psychische Syndrome
  • Copyright Year2019
  • Illustration38 illustrations

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