Shéri Brynard has reached many remarkable milestones, although she was born with Down Syndrome. She talks about how love and acceptance from her family and friends formed her. She tells of her adventures, her pain and the harsh realities she has to face as an adult with Down Syndrome. Her mother tells the tale of living in Shéri’s shadow, speaking without holding back about her crisis of faith when she heard that her daughter had Down Syndrome. A touching tale.

In this nationally bestselling, compulsively readable account of what makes brain science a vital component of people's quest to know themselves, acclaimed science writer Steven Johnson subjects his own brain to a battery of tests to find out what's really going on inside. He asks:

• How do we "read" other people?
• 
  
• What is the neurochemistry behind love and sex?
• 
  
• What does it mean that the brain is teeming with powerful chemicals closely related to recreational drugs?
• 
  
• Why does music move us to tears?
• 
  
• Where do breakthrough ideas come from?

The gold standard of neuroscience texts-updated with hundreds of brand-new images and fully revised content in every chapter With 300 new illustrations, diagrams, and radiology studies including PET scans, Principles of Neural Science, 6th Edition is the definitive guide for neuroscientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, students, and residents. Highly detailed chapters on stroke, Parkinson's, and MS build your expertise on these critical topics. Radiological studies the authors have chosen explain what's most important to know and understand for each type of stroke, progressive MS, or non-progressive MS. Features 2,200 images, including 300 new color illustrations, diagrams, and radiology studies (including PET scans) NEW: This edition now features only two contributors per chapter and are mostly U.S.-based NEW: Number of chapters streamlined down from 67 to 60 NEW: Chapter on Navigation and Spatial Memory NEW: New images in every chapter!

Does the mind reflect or dictate what the body sees and feels? What is the language of emotion? Is memory a function of our imaginations? Are we all just out of our minds?

In this ambitious and enlightening work, Diane Ackerman combines an artist's eye with a scientist's erudition to illuminate the magic and mysteries of the human brain. With "An Alchemy of Mind, " she offers an unprecedented exploration of the mental fantasia in which we spend our days. In addition to explaining memory, thought, emotion, dreams, and language acquisition, Ackerman reports on the latest discoveries in neuroscience and addresses such controversial subjects as the effects of trauma, nature versus nurture, and male versus female brains. In prose that is not simply accessible but also beautiful and electric, Ackerman distills the hard, objective truths of science in order to yield vivid, anecdotal explanations about a range of existential questions regarding consciousness and the nature of identity.

This book has helped many thousands of those who have depression. This new edition, written by a leading consultant psychiatrist, explains that depression tests the strongest of us. Dr Cantopher guides the reader through the nature of depression, its history, symptoms, causes and treatments. He covers the latest information on medications, new guidelines as to the management of depression, and stresses that no one should be to blame for succumbing to depression.

People with brain disorders often need substantial amounts of care and the need for this care within the general population is growing year on year. This handbook aims to help families and frontline staff provide better care for people who have neurological difficulties by providing knowledge to help in the understanding of brain injuries and disorders. This comprehensive handbook looks at the various parts and functions of the brain offering a basic functional neuro-anatomy as well as information on the different aspects of cognition in 'normal' brain functioning, such as attention, memory and executive abilities. It is designed to create an awareness of what can go wrong and provides an outline of the different common neurological disorders and their possible cognitive, emotional and behavioural manifestations. The 13 chapters written by various professionals guide the carer in understanding the different professional steps taken in caring for someone with a neurological disorder, these include assessments that professionals may undertake and the limitations of such interventions. The handbook also considers the following: * the various parts and functions of the brain * understanding the brain and the thinking process (cognitive process) * emotions, feelings and behaviours, and how they are related * problems with fatigue and sleep * common disorders and what can go wrong with the brain * treatment and assessment procedures offered by professionals * approaches to recovery and rehabilitation * applying neurological ideas to mental health problems * applying neurological ideas to learning disabilities. Vital information for: psychologists, neuro-psychiatrists, NHS care staff, mental health trusts, supported housing, students and trainees of health and social professions, carers, friends and families of people with brain disorders.

Increasing numbers of adults are being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, while children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders - an estimated 300,000 in the UK - are growing up. Until recently, most information has been aimed at children with the condition, or parents. Asperger syndrome (AS) in adulthood brings different challenges, and, crucially, there are far fewer resources. According to I Exist, the National Society for Autism's report on how the needs of autistic adults are ignored, 45% of councils have no process for managing how autistic adults receive support if they don't fulfil the criteria for either learning disability or mental health services. As a result, adults are left to cope alone - and often don't cope well, with depression and other mental health problems as the result. Conversely, some adults with Asperger syndrome have learned to cover up their problems, so signs of the condition will often be quite subtle. This book addresses issues faced by adults with Asperger syndrome, and looks at the potential of adults with Asperger syndrome, exploring how they may contribute on their own terms.

Dementia affects more than 700,000 people in the UK, the vast majority of whom are looked after by unpaid carers. When Someone You Love Has Dementia looks at practical and emotional issues to consider if you suspect or know someone you love has Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. It explains how the person might be affected, the impact this might have on you and your family, and how you can access practical help and support you need. Topics include; how to get medical help even if your loved one insists there's nothing wrong, types of dementia, including Alzheimer's Lewy body and vascular dementia, when the person with dementia is your partner, how medication may help, non-drug treatments and therapies, how people with dementia can retain skills and abilites, coping with the practicalities - memory and behaviour, outside help, benefits and services, residential care, coping with being a carer. In this comprehensive guide, Susan Elliot-Wright says that understanding this all-too-common illness will help raise awareness and improve quality of life for those living with its effects.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Essential reading' SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE 'A book of hope' OBSERVER 'A marvellous tour of insights' THE TIMES 'A must-read . . . I couldn't recommend it higher' MICHAEL BALL What can a diseased brain tell us about being human, living our own lives better and helping those with dementia get the best from theirs? When Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with young-onset dementia at the age of fifty-eight, her brain was overwhelmed with images of the last stages of the disease - those familiar tropes, shortcuts and cliches that we are fed by the media, or even our own health professionals. But her diagnosis far from represented the end of her life. Instead, it was the start of a very different one. Wise, practical and life affirming, What I Wish People Knew About Dementia combines anecdotes, research and Wendy Mitchell's own brilliant wit and wisdom to tell readers exactly what she wishes they knew about dementia.

Attachment and Neurobiology: Preconception to Young Adulthood introduces readers to interpersonal neurobiology and attachment to help them better understand how the brain develops across time and within a social context. The text equips social workers and mental health providers with the knowledge they need to optimize prevention and intervention efforts with clients. The book guides readers through a review of brain anatomy specific to social functioning, provides a summary of attachment theory and its effect on brain development and functioning, and explores how attachment and neurobiology influence behavior during the formative years between conception and young adulthood. Organized in three sections, the text examines the basic components of the brain; attachment theory, the neurological foundations of attachment, and how attachment is related to relational functioning and psychopathology; and finally, how brain development and attachment influence functioning from preconception to young adulthood. Throughout, case studies based on clinical experience and anecdotes from clinicians bridge the gap between theory and practice, and discussion questions encourage reflection and stimulate conversation. Enlightening and immensely valuable, Attachment and Neurobiology is an ideal resource for both students and practitioners of social work and mental health.

THE RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

SELECTED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES

SELECTED AS A SUMMER READ BY THE SUNDAY TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, DAILY TELEGRAPH, THE TIMES AND THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

'Revelatory' Guardian

'A miracle' Telegraph

'Remarkable' Daily Mail

'A landmark book' Financial Times

How do you build a life when all that you know is changing?

How do you conceive of love when you can no longer recognise those who mean the most to you?

A phenomenal memoir - the first of its kind - Somebody I Used to Know is both a heart-rending tribute to the woman Wendy Mitchell once was, and a brave affirmation of the woman dementia has seen her become.