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is memory accurately portrayed?
These two novels rely on realistic memory disorders. The two characters seem to have profound amnesia, which connects to Harold Molaise, or H.M., a famous amnesiac, studied by many neuropsychologists.
H.M. had epilepsy, so he underwent a medical procedure that took out parts of his brain that were supposed to be responsible for eradicating this problem.
Unfortunately, those brain parts were also responsible for forming memories. He could remember memories until 27, so he could not form new memories up until then.
H.M. died at 82, but had no memories between 27 and his death. He led a fairly fulfilled life, and mostly lived in a state of confusion because he had to reset his memory about every 8 minutes. He did not seem to be so anxious, but rather just confused.
The main character of "Before I Go To Sleep", Christine, has short-term memory loss. She wakes up every day, with a man in the same bed, without knowing who he is or why he is there. Obviously, the marriage changes, the people in her life change, and her goals can not be fulfilled because she restarts everyday. She essentially went to sleep at age 17, and wakes up at 47. She questions so much, and it feels like her life is extremely binding. She is told that her husband has loved her for 30 years, but how can she know that he is actually her husband? That is the frightening element of this novel.
The other novel, "Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac" addresses a teenager, Naomi, who has a very supportive family and has a positive experience with relearning about her life and what she has missed. This is an extreme contrast from "Before I Go To Sleep."
Overall, each case of amnesia is different, and these two books exemplify that idea; so the two novels are realistic in that each case of amnesia results in missing one's identity, trying to pick up those pieces, and figuring out how to start over-with or without-family support.
Conway mentions Clive Wearing and his journals, so his case must really have had an impact in the neuropsychology world. His case seems to relate to every possible area of neuropsychology. Conway also mentions the idea that recent memories are retained because those memories must be associated with long-term goals. I do agree with this statement. I also agree with the goal-change idea. Conway talks about conservatism, which is the main part of the self-goal structure. Any change seems to conflict with any other goals-even if the goal completion is successful. I definitely relate to this because change is hard for me in any situation. I like to know what is happening and what I am doing and where I am going to be. Memories of the changes in goal structure may even be distorted in order to “maintain coherence” (598). I think I have experienced this when trying to remember things as more positive occurrences. Cases are then mentioned of those who experienced 9/11 and now have post-traumatic stress disorder. I really am interested in the idea of memory serving as protective functions against goal change because I feel that I have experienced this myself in a few situations. Our minds want to protect us and allow us to feel safe even when we are not in positive situations. I really had no idea that scientists studied these issues, but I am glad we know that our bodies want to keep us safe.
Next, I strongly related to the studies carried out with 19-year-olds because I am in that place in my life and will be 19 in January. McLean and Thorne found that “memories of parents tended to emphasize issues relating to separation whereas self-defining memories of peers emphasized closeness and romantic relationships” (601). The memories that define adolescence are those that focus on identity formation and finding one’s place in society and in personal relationships. I am definitely still defining my character and self in college and strongly agree that I will these memories I making now will remain highly accessible later on in life. Deja vecu is also mentioned later, which I have never heard of but found very intriguing. I have always experienced deja vu, but “the feeling of having lived the present moment before” (which is different because deja vu is the feeling of seeing something before) is new to me. Overall, this article presented new and fascinating information that I could really relate to in comparison to other articles that I have felt no true connection to.