Politics of the Mind (2nd Edition)


Book Description

Mental distress has become one of the key 'public issues of the 21st century'. This edition of Politics of the Mind: Marxism and Mental Distress looks at the link between the economic and political system under which we live - capitalism - and the enormously high levels of mental distress that we see in the world today. A new introductory chapter explores the impact on mental health of the 'multiple crises' of the system including the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change, discusses the significance of new research that challenges the biomedical model and assesses the implications for mental health and mental health services of political developments since the book was first published in 2017.




Psychological Distress


Book Description

This monograph comprises nine chapters, each providing a different point of view concerning the problem of psychological distress. Chapter 1 describes alexithymia, a personality trait characterized by a persons inability to identify and describe emotions experienced by themselves or others, and how this trait connects with psychological defence mechanisms. Chapter 2 also examines alexithymia, this time in the context of how artistic creativity can connect to psychological well-being or insanity. Chapter 3 examines some of the biological, developmental, and situational factors that appear to influence the formation and maintenance of ones attachment style, which affects his or her capacity to form and maintain nurturing interpersonal relationships. Chapter 4 reports on the challenges that health professionals encounter when treating mental health problems associated with the stress of being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment. Chapter 5 studies the connection between a mindfulness-based program for elite soccer athletes and these athletes self-compassion, self-criticism, flow and perceived performance. Chapter 6 studies the link between mental health literacy, fears of compassion, psychological flexibility and psychopathological symptoms in adolescent students. Chapter 7 explores the impact of school violence against teachers on teachers health, well-being, and job attitudes, and how emotional intelligence can mediate some of the negative impacts of school violence. Chapter 8 highlights the role of different strategies such as social support, self-efficacy and cognitive coping in reducing psychological distress in Pakistani infertile women. Finally, Chapter 9 collates available evidence and recommendations for supporting the mental health of healthcare workers, specifically in the context of additional workplace stress connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.




Thyroid Mind Power


Book Description

One in ten Americans has some degree of thyroid imbalance, and even mild imbalances can cause mental and emotional symptoms. Thyroid Mind Power pinpoints the connection between thyroid imbalance and conditions such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and more, offering hope for millions who are suffering from improper diagnosis and medication. The authors of the bestselling Thyroid Power, Richard Shames, MD, and his wife, Karilee, a holistic nurse, have been treating patients with this program for over 25 years. Their program shows readers how to: • Uncover a hidden cause for mental symptoms • Discover the best treatments for each Mind type, such as moody, edgy, foggy, or sleepy • Obtain the most effective cure, with recommendations for common prescription drugs (not antidepressants), natural remedies, vitamins, and supplements Armed with the Shameses' advice and recommendations, readers will be able to participate more actively in their health care and find relief for these common and widespread conditions.




Mind and Emotions


Book Description

We all have our own ways of handling stressful situations without letting emotions get the best of us, but some ways of coping work better than others. Short-term fixes that help us avoid or numb our emotions may temporarily alleviate sadness and anger, but can also end up causing anxiety, depression, chronic anger, and even physical health problems. If you struggle with overwhelming emotions and feel trapped by unhealthy patterns, this workbook is your ticket out. Mind and Emotions is a revolutionary universal treatment program for all emotional disorders that helps you discover which of the seven problematic coping styles is keeping you trapped in a cycle of emotional pain. Instead of working on difficulties like anxiety, anger, shame, and depression one by one, you’ll treat the root of all your emotional suffering at once. Drawing on evidence-based skills from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy, this workbook offers all the techniques you need to manage unwelcome feelings in effective and productive ways. Learn and practice the most effective coping skills: Clarifying and acting on your core values Mindfulness and acceptance Detaching from negative thoughts Self-soothing and relaxation exercises Assertiveness and interpersonal skills Gradually facing your strong emotions This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties.




Losing Our Minds


Book Description

A compelling and incisive book that questions the overuse of mental health terms to describe universal human emotions Public awareness of mental illness has been transformed in recent years, but our understanding of how to define it has yet to catch up. Too often, psychiatric disorders are confused with the inherent stresses and challenges of human experience. A narrative has taken hold that a mental health crisis has been building among young people. In this profoundly sensitive and constructive book, psychologist Lucy Foulkes argues that the crisis is one of ignorance as much as illness. Have we raised a 'snowflake' generation? Or are today's young people subjected to greater stress, exacerbated by social media, than ever before? Foulkes shows that both perspectives are useful but limited. The real question in need of answering is: how should we distinguish between 'normal' suffering and actual illness? Drawing on her extensive knowledge of the scientific and clinical literature, Foulkes explains what is known about mental health problems—how they arise, why they so often appear during adolescence, the various tools we have to cope with them—but also what remains unclear: distinguishing between normality and disorder is essential if we are to provide the appropriate help, but no clear line between the two exists in nature. Providing necessary clarity and nuance, Losing Our Minds argues that the widespread misunderstanding of this aspect of mental illness might be contributing to its apparent prevalence.




Calming Your Anxious Mind


Book Description

The Mindfulness Solution to Anxiety Drawing on techniques and perspectives from two seemingly different traditions, this second edition of the self-help classic Calming Your Anxious Mind offers you a powerful and profound approach to overcoming anxiety, fear, and panic. From the evidence-based tradition of Western medicine, learn the role your thoughts and emotions play in anxiety. And, from the tradition of meditation and the inquiry into meaning and purpose, discover your own potential for presence and stillness, kindness and compassion-and the tremendous power these states give you to heal and transform your life. Use this encouraging, step-by-step program to: •Learn about the mechanism of anxiety and the body's fear system •Develop a healing mindfulness practice-one breath at a time •Start on the path to presence, stillness, compassion, and loving kindness •Practice acceptance during mindfulness meditation •Feel safe while opening up to fearful and anxious feelings




Distress Signals


Book Description

The acclaimed debut thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Liar’s Girl and 56 Days The day Adam Dunne’s girlfriend, Sarah, fails to return from a Barcelona business trip, his perfect life begins to fall apart. Days later, the arrival of her passport and a note that reads “I’m sorry—S” sets off real alarm bells. He vows to do whatever it takes to find her. Adam is puzzled when he connects Sarah to a cruise ship called the Celebrate—and to a woman, Estelle, who disappeared from the same ship in eerily similar circumstances almost exactly a year before. To get answers, Adam must confront some difficult truths about his relationship with Sarah. He must do things of which he never thought himself capable. And he must try to outwit a predator who seems to have found the perfect hunting ground.




The Stress-Proof Brain


Book Description

“For people suffering from stress, this book is a godsend.” —Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion "Highly recommended for mental health professionals and consumer health readers looking to manage stress." —Library Journal (starred review) Modern times are stressful—and it’s killing us. Unfortunately, we can’t avoid the things that stress us out, but we can change how we respond to them. In this breakthrough book, a clinical psychologist and neuroscience expert offers an original approach to help readers harness the power of positive emotions and overcome stress for good. Stress is, unfortunately, a natural part of life—especially in our busy and hectic modern times. But you don’t have to let it get in the way of your health and happiness. Studies show that the key to coping with stress is simpler than you think—it’s all about how you respond to the situations and things that stress you out or threaten to overwhelm you. The Stress-Proof Brain offers powerful, comprehensive tools based in mindfulness, neuroscience, and positive psychology to help you put a stop to unhealthy responses to stress—such as avoidance, tunnel vision, negative thinking, self-criticism, fixed mindset, and fear. Instead, you’ll discover unique exercises that provide a recipe for resilience, empowering you to master your emotional responses, overcome negative thinking, and create a more tolerant, stress-proof brain. This book will help you develop an original and effective program for mastering your emotional brain’s response to stress by harnessing the power of neuroplasticity. By creating a more stress tolerant, resilient brain, you’ll learn to shrug off the small stuff, deal with the big stuff, and live a happier, healthier life.




The Wisdom of Anxiety


Book Description

'We have to shift from a mindset of shame, which sees anxiety as evidence of brokenness, to a mindset of curiosity, which recognizes that anxiety is evidence of our sensitive heart, our imaginative mind and our soul's desire to grow towards wholeness.' Three million people are thought to suffer from anxiety in the UK, and it is an issue that affects a growing number of people across all ages. For anyone troubled by obsessive thoughts, insomnia and other manifestations of anxiety, counsellor Sheryl Paul offers shelter in the storm. In The Wisdom of Anxiety, Paul reveals that anxiety, like any emotion, is a signal - a clear bodily invitation to heal and renew your trust in your choices, self-image and core values. Weaving together practical exercises with personal stories, Paul offers medication-free approaches for accessing the gifts in different kinds of anxiety, and especially the anxiety summoned by life's transitions, for example a career change, becoming parents or becoming carers for loved ones. Chapters include recognising the symptoms of anxiety, its origins, the myth of 'normal', the expectation of happiness and a timeline of healing that includes exercises for the body and mind. There are also chapters on parenting in an age of anxiety and the vulnerability of connection and relationships.




Losing Our Minds


Book Description




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