Topographical cretinism - the inability to navigate the terrain - still remains a mystery that remains to be studied. Doctors stubbornly refuse to recognize him as a disease and advise to treat with a share of humor. Neurophysiological scientists are of the opinion that this is nothing more than a malfunction of a certain part of the brain.
Specialists formed a definition from which it follows that topographical cretinism is an absolute inability to navigate the terrain, sometimes accompanied by a fear of getting lost. Most often, women suffer from it, as well as a small percentage of men.
Thanks to research, it was possible to find out that this feature was inherent in people at all times. Vivid examples of this are Columbus, who accidentally discovered America, and Kutuzov and Napoleon, who incorrectly compiled their maps of the battle area.
In the modern world, people suffering from a feature such as topographical cretinism have a hard time. Huge cities with branched streets, complex road junctions and architecturally identical houses make their life difficult. Unfortunately, there are no courses or trainings that can give these people knowledge and practical orienteering skills.
Scientific experiments have shown that people discover this feature in their youth. Prior to this, their inability to navigate the area is attributed to children's age. Why are people born with such an unusual spatial perception as topographic cretinism, whose symptoms are less pronounced in some and stronger in others? In other words, it’s hard for one to navigate only in unfamiliar places, while others for months remember the route from home to work.
Topographic cretinism is based on several reasons.
Gender reason, i.e. gender identity. It is believed that the difference in the spatial perception of men and women was laid down by ancient people. Male hunters went far distances from home and developed a habit of remembering the area. Women, the guardians of the outbreak, spent time at home and went far from it only accompanied by a man.
The reason is genetic. This means that if a mother has topographical cretinism, then most likely at least one of her children will inherit it.
Stress experienced in childhood. Psychotherapists believe that children, lost or lost on the street, will forever remember a sad event.
Sometimes the reason is a simple lack of desire to independently reach the goal. When conducting trials with couples, many women immediately passed the initiative to the man, following him, even if he was wrong.
Neurophysiologists argue that poorly developed spatial perceptions can be dealt with. But this requires patience and the development of some skills.
The ability to draw, especially three-dimensional objects. The ability to visually capture all objects in front of the eyes. Walking along the street, try to memorize as many objects as possible in the direction of travel. Try not to use modern GPS, but to find your own way. Examine the map of the area, redraw a small segment for memory, and then go through it.
Good results are brought by classes with children in drawing and reading maps of the area. These children, having grown up, do not experience orientation problems, and topographical cretinism does not threaten them.