9 new books about psychology

PSYCHOLOGIST Anya Silnitskaya READ A BOOK FOR US

“Make me exactly” by Inna Denisova, Individuum

“IVF, cryopreservation (that is, freezing of sperm, embryos and eggs), donation of germ cells and surrogate motherhood: the topic of reproductive technologies is full of ethical dilemmas that split society into many “pieces”. Therefore, the courage of the journalist Inna Denisova to go and look into the issue with her eyes wide open causes sincere admiration.

Is it ethical to use the labor of a surrogate mother to give birth to children in a same-sex male couple? Should IVF be allowed for elderly parents? Can a woman (including a single or unhealthy woman) decide for herself how and when to give birth? The author explores the problem in many ways, involving specialists in the discussion: reproductologists, embryologists, psychologists and sociologists.

Her book is full of interesting stories and facts. For example, I did not know that the first attempts at insemination were made in the XNUMXth century. And that among them were those who were crowned with success, but were hiding. The geography of Inna’s searches (from Paris to the Urals) and the number of her interlocutors – women with amazing destinies and different reproductive choices – are also striking. The energy of this great and difficult journey is very conveyed in the text!

Opening the door to the turbulent space of opinions, the author remains impassive. It seems to me that such a distance encourages the reader to further search and take his own position.

I know that many women with childbearing difficulties experience a lot of stress, including because of the “secrecy” and “shame” of the agenda, as well as the lack of educational sources. The book can become a support for them. And so that the abundance of not very positive information does not raise anxiety, I recommend reading a little in the company of a good friend and discussing it together.

“Trick your brain. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”

Valery Razuvaev, Mikhail Manukhin, 1000 Bestsellers

This disorder is associated with increased anxiety. Trying to adapt to a reality that cannot be controlled, a person creates for himself another, alternative one. There he comes up with special rituals, thanks to which he feels calmer. For example, if you eat from a blue plate or wash objects that you touch, your parents will not get sick, and you yourself will not get into an accident. A person may be aware of the excessiveness and absurdity of such control, but cannot get rid of it. The authors of the book, clinical psychologists, clearly explain the mechanisms of OCD, describe the symptoms and give examples of OCD therapy. A separate chapter is dedicated to working with teenagers.

“The Body Doesn’t Lie”

Alice Miller, Bombora

The absence of a good and reliable connection with the mother in the first years of life often leads to disturbances in the mental development of the child. The Swiss psychotherapist Alice Miller (1923–2010) wrote many books about this childhood drama, and here is one of the latest. Describing the difficult experience of a child who grew up in a lack of love and accepted indifference, violence or emotional blackmail from adults as normal, Miller does not encourage the reader to take the position of a victim and condemn “evil” parents. She explains that such an adult child needs to muster up the courage to face their forbidden feelings towards their parents (anger, resentment or dislike) and recognize their right to them. This is the first step towards freedom and restoration of spiritual integrity.

“Energy is the new currency. How to maintain a balance of vital forces

Leonid Krol, Alpina Publisher

Loss of strength, emotional exhaustion, autumn melancholy are states familiar to many of us. Some perceive the lack of energy as a given that they have to put up with. But professor of psychology, coach and business coach with 25 years of experience Leonid Krol is sure that energy can and should be learned to manage. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of your character and temperament, and for this it does not interfere with exploring yourself a little. In total, the author highlights 12 energy profiles that will help you learn a lot of interesting things and better manage your energy. Leonid Krol illustrates his ideas with examples from his personal practice and shares exercises on balancing vital forces.

“The power of emotions. How to manage your feelings

Taran Randy, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Peter

American journalist, researcher of happiness Randy Theran reveals the positive meaning of feelings and emotions – whether it be sadness, anger, fear or shame – and explains how they can be managed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama reflects on the meaning of such work in the preface.

“Learning to live a fulfilling life is as easy as playing the cello. In both cases, it is about the development of skills. This means that you can easily train your brain to be more grateful, relaxed, or confident. It transforms under the influence of constantly recurring thoughts.

“Experiencing shame in the “mirror” of social theories”

Mikhail Bazhenov, Aletheia

Shame is one of the most painful experiences, familiar to almost all of us. It causes suffering not only moral, but also physical: muscle tension, internal contraction, the desire to “fall through the ground.” It is difficult to experience and want to quickly forget. Perhaps that is why shame does not often become the object of scientific attention. But it was he who was chosen as his topic by the philosopher and teacher Mikhail Bazhenov, who previously wrote the monograph “The Being of Shame” (shame in a person, a person in shame). This time he explores the social aspects of shame, which reveals itself not only as a feeling that has its own causes and consequences, but also as a (partially unconscious) social concept and a way of controlling the individual.

“What would Nietzsche say?”

Markus Wicks, Alpina Publisher

“I work my hardest, but I’m poor, while others get a fortune and do nothing.” “Why can’t I decide who to vote for?” Why is Shakespeare better than The Simpsons? “My boyfriend is on social media and doesn’t think about me at all.” Everyone has situations that hurt and in which you want to understand. But who will help you get to the bottom of it? British writer and musician Marcus Wicks decided to apply the ideas of great philosophers to our pressing everyday problems – from Plato and Epicurus to Kant, Schopenhauer and Marx. By comparing points of view, listening to the arguments of thinkers, or internally arguing with them, you can come to a solution that suits you. And maybe even take a serious interest in philosophy.

“1000 ways to get over a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend”

Auror Meyer, Sophie Buxom, Mann, Ivanov and Ferber

Experiencing unhappy love, breakup, a teenager feels unbearable loneliness. And not everyone is ready to admit what happened to friends or parents. French writer Auror Meyer and illustrator Sophie Buxom lend a helping hand to a confused teenager. There is no edification in their guide: there is only concise and moderately witty advice, words of support and questions that will help you sort out your feelings. And also – expressive drawings, tests, lists of books and films and excellent design. By the way, the book will be useful not only to those young people who have been abandoned, but also to those who feel that they themselves have fallen out of love and do not know how to say it.

“Life at menopause”

Darcy Steinke, Peter

The physiological problems faced by women after 45 are considered too intimate and not subject to wide discussion. By and large, culture stigmatizes women during menopause. Princeton University lecturer and journalist Darcy Steinke shares her personal experience of menopause and talks about research on the topic in biology and medicine. Steinke believes that the end of fertility could be the beginning of a new, eventful stage in life. And he finds evidence of this in the natural environment. Going to study killer whales, she unexpectedly discovers that representatives of the cetacean family, having said goodbye to fertility at the age of 50, take on the role of leaders – they lead the flocks. There is something to learn.