Life rarely does what we expect it to. So, we either face and counter or dodge before it does a number on us. Doing nothing isn’t an option unless one’s ready for a world of hurt. Thus, learn to stay woke through tales of those who’ve been around the cognitive block and minimised the damage done.
Mind on Fire: A Memoir of Madness and Recovery
by Arnold Thomas Fanning
There are no hard and fast rules of how psychological distress assaults one’s mind. For Fanning, it started during adolescence and his inner demons have haunted him since. The uninitiated often brush him off as mad, but there’s more than meets the eye. Grief, delusion and mania. You name them, he has them. Yet, Fanning found strength in writing and recounts his harrowing experience via medical records and close references as bipolar turned his memory unreliable. Definitely a fighter who deserves a salute.
Talking to Strangers
by Malcolm Gladwell
First impressions aren’t always accurate and one’s pride and ego often hinder the process of getting acquainted with the unfamiliar. In Gladwell’s pursuit for fair judgement, he looked into infamous cases such as Bernie Madoff and the Ponzi scheme, only to discover that an individual’s belief can mar the truth. Following that, stereotypes and blatant interpretations surfaced too. So, don’t ever think you know someone 100 percent as wariness is always present. The bottom line? Approach strangers with caution and humility.
That Was When People Started to Worry
by Nancy Tucker
What’s your panic threshold like? Tucker, who suffered from anorexia and had suicidal thoughts, took to the streets and gave voices to psychologically troubled young women in this honest and insightful compilation through seven composite characters. Explaining that “the ‘insane’ may find themselves held at arms’ length, but the ‘sane’ may be denied rapid treatment or accused of melodrama”, the complexity of mental disorders is indeed underestimated and a cure is never that simple and direct.
The Meaning of Pain
by Nick Potter
There’s more to pain than nerves and muscles. An osteopath with 25 years of clinical experience, Potter suspects that chronic pain has associations with anxieties. His claim? A root cause wasn’t diagnosed in many who suffered real symptoms and physical pain. By re-examining our relationship of pain through scientific and social lenses, Potter substantiates that tackling psychological stress can alleviate discomfort. Some of his success stories include elite athletes, hedge-funders and over-stretched families.
Lost in a Good Game
by Pete Etchells
Is it true that the negative impact of video gameplay outweighs the positive? Backed by data and science, psychologist Etchells challenged the unfavourable perception and biases of gaming and justified its formative benefits. Of course, he acknowledged and highlighted the unhealthy consequences too. While it’s not ideal to escape reality and problems through games, clocking tolerable screen time can provide temporary relief when life gets harsh.
The above titles are available at Books Kinokuniya.
