Bruno Bettelheim

Bettelheim suffers from a stroke that leaves him unable to think and process information as he had earlier. The stroke is not particularly severe, but prevents him from writing his books and essays. He complains of residues from the stroke, including frustration about physical activity, a pervasive feeling that his body was betraying him; he walks with a slight limp and needs a cane for assistance; he is no longer able to exercise by walking long distances. The stroke also impairs his handwriting and his capacity to type, severely inhibiting the composition of his books and articles. Like many stroke victims, Bettelheim’s emotional state oscillates between depression and anguish.