“Look at the empty plate”. Psychology of Eating.
The food we cannot do without. Inevitably present in our lives – visible and invisible. Often loved, sometimes hated.
This book goes beyond talking about proper or wrong, useful or harmful eating and it does not offer diets. Look at the empty plate…
Why is it empty? Is it because we are afraid to fill it up, or is it because all in it has been absorbed to the very last crumb, in order not to remind of itself … or of something else?
Food as a mirror of our lives…
What do we allow ourselves, and what we don’t? What do we want, and what do we take instead?
And here’s an excerpt from the book
”Medical Psychology” – textbook, 2015. The textbook presents the main problems being studied and researched by medical psychology. It is comprised of several modules: theoretical knowledge in psycho-pathology, psychoprevention and psychotherapy. It describes the different aspects of and approaches to clarifying mental processes, concepts and phenomena; theoretical and practical knowledge of the patient’s psyche and personality; involvement of the psychic factors in the occurrence, development and outcome of mental, somatic and psychosomatic diseases. Practical value and orientation stems from the presented materials in the field of psychology of medical specialist – patient communication; the psychological characteristics and problems of interpersonal relations, team work in medical practice.
”Prevention of stress and burnout” – Monograph. The monograph covers theoretical and practical aspects; it presents the classical concepts and principles relating to the nature of stress and provides relevant examples based on the author’s personal studies and psychotherapy experience. Nowadays more than ever stress and unhealthy life styles are a major risk factor for a number of diseases of social significance – cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, obesity, malignant diseases. The content is oriented to the following: providing theory and practical skills for stress management, releasing tension; managing life challenges efficiently so as to become stronger, more successful and more satisfied. The monograph describes the mechanisms of self-knowledge and the ways, in which one can implement a behavior change aimed at health prevention. It presents varying methods of efficient management of professional stress. This publication is a response to the need of improving the health culture and literacy in modern society.
The ”Medical Psychology” textbook /published in 2008 and 2012/ meets the specifics of the education in medical universities and colleges, and the needs of health care and social care professionals. The text is structured in several modules and covers everything that is significant in the field of medical psychology, psychopathology, psycho-hygiene, psychology. Theoretical and practical knowledge is provided about the bio-psycho-social approach to health; the participation of mental factors in the development and treatment of illnesses; the personality in medical psychology; the behavior of the ill; the nature of stress and the burnout syndrome. Of practical value are the texts in the field of psychology of communication in medical practice, as well as those on organization and distribution of health care.
The Handbook ”Topical Problems of Ageing and Old Age”
/published in 2009/ is the work of a team of authors, leading researchers in the field of gerontology and geriatrics. The content offers the most modern scientific standpoints on psychology and psychopathology of ageing; on psycho-social and medico-social adaptation in old age; on socio-economic aspects of ageing. Attention is paid to the possibilities for prevention of premature ageing, to active and quality life in old age; to the role of the state, public and social organizations. This edition is extensively informative and can be used by students, continuing-education students, ageing and old-age professionals, as well as by any other who may be interested in this subject.
In the ”Anorexia and Bulimia – Modern Disorders”
monograph /published in 2005/, the nature of eating disorders, the reasons that provoke these disorders, and the treatment options are presented. The behavioral and the emotional changes, and the outer symptoms during a disorder are comprehensively and clearly explained; emphasis is also placed on the behavior of family members and the possibilities for help. I have also shared my personal experience gained from my specialization in psychotherapy of anorexia, bulimia and hyperphagia /obesity/ in the Crisalide Eating disorders treatment center in Switzerland in 1998.
The objective of my dissertation entitled ”Social-medical Problems and Approaches for Prevention of Anorexia and Bulimia” Bulimia’ is to examine the main risk factors of anorexia and bulimia and some of the approaches for effective psychotherapeutic treatment. Possibilities for partnership between doctor-psychotherapist-family are offered during the practices of prophylaxis and prevention of these disorders. The research was prompted by the alarming social-medical dimensions of this problem, by the lack of sufficient information on the subject, and the increasing incidence of these disorders, mainly among adolescent girls and young women.