Dr. Everett discusses amnesia with host Rob Saunders, explaining that there are two types - organic caused by brain damage, and functional caused by psychological trauma. Amnesia does not cause one to forget their identity, but rather causes loss of some memory functions. Films often inaccurately portray amnesia as making one forget everything new each day, when in reality sufferers may repeat themselves or get confused, not lose all daily memory. While some films show amnesia suddenly disappearing, in reality there are no effective treatments, and people must learn to live with the condition using memory aids and training.

1. Listening Test Script and Answer Key
Listening Test 1
The Facts about Amnesia
Rob: Good afternoon. I’m Rob Saunders, host of Behind the Camera. My guest today is Dr Mary Everett.
Good to have you here, Dr Everett.
Dr Everett: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Rob: Being a neurologist, you specialise in disorders of the nervous system, correct?
Dr Everett: Yes – and that also includes disorders of the brain.
Rob: So you’re the perfect person to ask about a medical condition that’s often portrayed in film and television –
amnesia. That’s when a person can’t remember who he is, or retain any new memories at all.
Dr Everett: Well, that’s the Hollywood version of amnesia, Rob – and although it can be the basis for funny, tragic or
dramatic stories, it’s really not very accurate.
Rob: Why not, Dr Everett?
Dr Everett: Well – you see, amnesia doesn’t cause people to forget their identity. What amnesia does cause is a loss of
some memory functions after brain damage or a traumatic event.
Rob: What can cause amnesia?
Dr Everett: Actually, there are two types of amnesia. Organic amnesia is a result of brain damage – let’s say having been
caused by a severe head injury in a car accident, or a lack of oxygen in the brain during a heart attack. This
kind of brain damage can cause what’s called “organic amnesia”.
Rob: So, organic amnesia is caused by something physical.
Dr Everett: Yes, that’s correct. But amnesia caused by a traumatic psychological event – such as a violent attack – is called
functional, or traumatic, amnesia. In these cases, there’s no actual physical brain damage.
Rob: Now, I’m curious about the accuracy of the film 50 First Dates, in which an amnesia victim falls in love.
Dr Everett: Well, I love romantic comedies, but this film …
Rob: Before you continue, let me summarise the film for listeners who haven’t seen it. The character played by
actress Drew Barrymore can’t retain any new memories since being injured in a car accident. She falls in love
with Adam Sandler’s character, but loses her memories of him overnight, every night. So Dr Everett, is that
a realistic portrayal of organic amnesia?
Dr Everett: No. Amnesia sufferers don’t consistently forget everything new, or the same thing over and again at the same
time every day. If you want to see a more realistic portrayal of amnesia, watch the animated film Finding
Nemo. One of the characters, a fish called Dory, has got amnesia. She often repeats herself, which annoys the
other fish. She also becomes confused about where she’s going or why she’s doing something, and has trouble
remembering new things and names. This is a more accurate portrayal of someone suffering from amnesia.
Rob: What about the film The Bourne Identity? Bourne, played by Matt Damon, is a spy and assassin who forgets
who he is and is said to have amnesia. However, you previously mentioned that people with amnesia don’t lose
their sense of identity.
Dr Everett: That’s right. And in my opinion, which is shared by many of my colleagues who are also film fans, Bourne
hasn’t got amnesia. Instead, he has a rare and complex disorder that shares some symptoms with functional
amnesia. But most neurologists wouldn’t label Bourne’s disorder as amnesia.
Rob: I see. Now, in films, amnesia sometimes suddenly disappears. Can that really happen?
Dr Everett: Yes – sometimes the condition improves, and even disappears, on its own. But if it doesn’t, there are no
effective amnesia treatments or medications. People must learn to live with the disorder.
Rob: So how do amnesia sufferers live with their condition?
Dr Everett: Many consult specialists in memory training to learn techniques to improve their memory and ability to retain
new information. And obviously, most people with amnesia make a lot of notes in calendars, notebooks and on
their mobile phones, and sometimes even take photos to help them remember things.
Rob: It sounds like a difficult way to live … and I think we’ll all now remember the reality of amnesia the next time
we see it portrayed in a film. We’re out of time. Dr Everett, thanks for being here. The news is next …
Answers: 1. d 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. d 7. c 8. c