Bøker av Salman Akhtar

In Short: Private Notes of a Psychoanalyst is wise, uplifting and inspiring. Salman Akhtar brings his talent for poetic literature to gift us 111 pithy 'proto-essays' on a wide range of subjects. His meditations touch upon mental health, humor, death, animals, Freud, religion, children, and so much more. He imparts his advice with the lightest of touches, willing you to partake, consider, and refine his offerings. His aim: to further the cause and message of his beloved psychoanalysis.

With contributions from Salman Akhtar, Jerome Blackman, Michael Civin, Lois Choi-Kain, Nilofer Kaul, M. Sagman Kayatekin, Z. Emel Kayatekin Nina Savelle-Rocklin, and Ann Smolen. Unlit Corners endeavours to bring light to neglected character traits which many struggle to overcome. Filled with relevant case studies and carefully crafted psychoanalytic theory, the book elucidates the multilayered nature of such psychopathologies and its treatment. Beginning in the public realm, Nina Savelle-Rocklin explores the complex meaning of 'dirtiness, ' both literally and figuratively, relating it the body, mind, and language. Ann Smolen's investigation of miserliness follows, where she emphasizes that it is not about money, but instead arises from the poverty of internal good objects, which are the basic source of generosity. Jerome Blackman examines the nuanced potential meanings of shyness using psychopathology and underlying etiology, while Lois Choi-Kain deftly categorizes outrageousness into three types: a guilt-driven masochist, a hope-driven optimist, and a hate-driven sadist, with a subcategory for creative writers and artists. The more private traits start with shallowness. Michael Civin develops 'shallow' as a general construct and studies it from a psychoanalytic perspective, arguing that no human being can be described accurately as shallow. The Kayatekins come next with their study of indecisiveness and the role of the ego as a way of understanding this trait. Nilofer Kaul looks at 'restlessness' and its associations in psychoanalysis, literature, and culture. The final chapter comes from Salman Akhtar on the subject of cowardliness, where he links it to the lack of self-protective devices emanating from breeches in the early mother-child bond and deficient identification with the same-sex parent. This book is highly recommended to clinicians to give them the tools to not only understand and empathize with their patient's struggles but also to enhance their capacity to help them overcome such struggles.

The Textbook of Applied Psychoanalysis is a unique and original contribution to the field of psychoanalysis. Emphasizing and underscoring the need for interdisciplinary discourse in understanding the dialectical relationship between mind and culture, this volume addresses a multiplicity of realms. These include anthropology, religion, philosophy, history, as well as evolutionary psychology, medicine, race, poverty, migration, and prejudice. Dimensions of social praxis such as education, health policy, and cyberpsychology are also addressed. The enrichment of our understanding of the fine arts (e.g. painting, sculpture, poetry) and performing arts (e.g. music, dance, cinema) by the application of psychoanalytic principles and the enhancement of psychoanalysis by bringing such arts to bear upon it also form areas of this book's concern. This magisterial volume brings distinguished psychoanalysts, philosophers, musicians, poets, businessmen, architects, and movie critics together to create a chorus of modern, anthropologically-informed and culturally sensitive psychoanalysis.

With contributions from Prachi Akhavi, Salman Akhtar, Cuneyt Iscan, Surreya Iscan, Alan Michael Karbelnig, Kelsey Leon, Clara Mucci, Nina Savelle-Rocklin, Asmita Sharma, Julian Stern, and Thomas Wolman. Food matters begin even before birth with the absorption of nutrients in the womb and continue through baby feeds, family meals, school dinners, barbecues with friends, and romantic meals to the growing dietary restrictions of old age. The role of food is not limited to its life-giving necessity but plays a huge role in communal bonding, cultural tradition, and self-expression. Food Matters investigates the significant role that food plays in all of our lives and is divided into three major sections: Mostly biological, Mostly psychological, and Mostly sociological. 'Mostly' because biology, psychology, and sociology are not hermetically sealed subject areas and overlaps into other fields are to be expected. Part I: Mostly biological consists of two chapters. The first pertains to food and health, the second to food and illness. At its core, Chapter One aims to undermine the notion of 'healthy choices' and demonstrate a more nuanced vision of what actually builds healthy communities. The varied case material of Chapter Two shows the myriad roles food can play in relation to illness. Part II: Mostly psychological has four chapters, which respectively address the relationship between food and sexuality, aggression, narcissism, and morality using wide-ranging theory and practical case examples. Part III: Mostly sociological has three chapters. The first pertains to money, the second to immigration, and the third to movies, again packed with relevant theory and clinical vignettes, and, in the case of the final chapter, using the movies Waitress and Babette's Feast to show the central role food plays, even in our fictional lives. This welcome smorgasbord of ideas from an international array of contributors representing the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis, anthropology, and gastroenterology will be essential reading for professionals and academics in those fields and will shed fresh light on the subject for anyone with an interest in the multifaceted meanings of food matters.

Salman Akhtar presents three rich essays brimming with psychoanalytic theory on personality development and how such knowledge enhances treatment. Essay 1 starts at the earliest infancy and takes the reader all along the path past adolescence. It addresses key developmental landmarks, including: Establishing a satisfactory parental bond Moving towards autonomy and independence Acquiring a moral sense Consolidating identity. Essay 2 picks up after adolescence. It addresses the psychosocial challenges characteristic of young adulthood, midlife, and old age, such as: Assuming the role of a wage-earner and "e;house-holder"e; Enjoying sex, love, and marriage Downsizing and retiring from one's job Dealing with the deaths of friends and family and facing one's own mortality. Essay 3 builds upon the theory that has gone before and examines how a deepened understanding of psychic development can inform the clinician's approach. With an emphasis on development as a lifelong process, this essay provides clear guidelines for facilitating such growth, including: Creating psychic space for thinking Helping the patient find words for inner experiences Validating the patient's reality Enhancing the sense of personal agency in the patient. The complex tapestry woven by these three essays is extended by a prologue and an epilogue. The prologue opens with the "e;pre-self"e; - events before birth that impact on who we become. The epilogue discusses the "e;post-self"e; - how we "e;live on"e; as memories held by those who knew us. In Leaps and Bounds deepens the understanding of the nuances of human development. It is key reading for practising and trainee psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists to enhance their clinical practice. It is highly recommended for all enquiring minds looking to expand their knowledge of what makes us who we are.

Tautly stretched over the chasm between idolization and iconoclasm, restraint and audacity, and the man-animal distinction, the poems contained in this book evoke scintillating images and garden- fresh metaphors.

One hundred (and one) tales to mark Salman Akhtar's one hundredth book! Divided into eight informative parts - Dr Akhtar's journey to psychoanalysis; the lessons he learned from his teachers, supervisors, and mentors; the teachings from his peers and colleagues; the benefits of clinical work; the impact of cultural difference; insights gained from students, supervisees, and audiences; his experiences of writing, editing, and publishing; and advice for those about to take their first steps - each section is packed full of incredible advice lightly given in a series of engaging anecdotes. Tales of Transformation: A Life in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis is the perfect book for trainees, practising clinicians, those considering psychoanalysis as a career path, anyone with an interest in the subject, and all who enjoy reading the recollections of a witty raconteur.

This tightly edited volume opens a new vista in psychoanalysis by focusing upon positive and life-enhancing emotions and attitudes. The realms it covers include love, friendship, enthusiasm, courage, tact, resilience, and forgiveness, among others.

Despite its ubiquitous presence, fear has received little direct attention in psychoanalytic literature. This book aims to fill this lacuna. It explicates various intensities of fear, e.g. apprehension, dread, panic, and terror. It delineates the boundaries between fear and anxiety.

Betrayal underlies all psychic trauma, whether sexual abuse or profound neglect, violence or treachery, extramarital affair or embezzlement. The first part deals with developmental aspects and notes that while the experience of betrayal might be ubiquitous in childhood, its lack of recognition by the parents is what leads to fixation upon it.

This book is a collection of "stories", and just as the Stories of the Dreaming act as a container of experiences for the indigenous people, it attempts to be a container for experiences that had not had enough exposure in psychoanalytic literature.

In this compact and pithy book, psychoanalyst Salman Akhtar steps out of his consulting room to address certain matters of urgent global concern. These include migration across national borders, the current refugee crisis, ethno-racial prejudice, subjective distress of minorities, and, above all, the ominous shadow of terrorism.

Arrogance as a specific constellation of affect, fantasy, and behavior has received little attention in psychoanalysis.

Ranging from 'abreaction' and 'abstinence', 'basic rule' and 'beta elements', and 'clarification' and 'conflict' through ' metapsychology' and 'malignant narcissism' to 'xenophobia' and 'zoophilia', this title provides easy to read, concise, and clinically useful explanations of over 1800 terms and concepts from the field of psychoanalysis.

Bringing together the experiences of mistrust, jealousy, lack of love, shamelessness, regret, and despair, this far-reaching book elucidates human sorrow in striking sociocultural and clinical details.

Radical departures from the set and familiar rules of technique often become necessary in the course of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis that include conducting a session outside the office, giving advice, and more. This book highlights their indications, risks, and their potential anchors in psychoanalytic theory of human relatedness.

This book focuses on the intrapsychic vicissitudes of what it means to be truly alive and how death accompanies us at each step of our life's journey. It shows that, psychologically-speaking, death is always present in life and life in death.

This book seeks to underscore the multifaceted ways in which we encounter suffering in clinical and social settings. The fear, greed, and guilt cause an individual to suffer privately, while the deception, betrayal, and revenge lead others to suffer.

In this compact and pithy book, psychoanalyst Salman Akhtar steps out of his consulting room to address certain matters of urgent global concern. These include migration across national borders, the current refugee crisis, ethno-racial prejudice, subjective distress of minorities, and, above all, the forever-present ominous shadow of terrorism.

By elucidating the origins, dynamics, social pleasures, and clinical benefits of courage, resilience, gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, and sacrifice, Good Stuff sheds light on a corner of human experience that has remained inadequately understood by psychoanalysts and other mental health professionals.

This book provides clinical strategies for working with immigrant and ethnically diverse patients and their offspring while drawing observations from the humanities to reveal truths about the psychological impact of immigration. Each aspect of the life of an immigrant is explored, shedding light on the complexities of work, friendship, sex, marriage, aging, religion, and politics.

By elucidating the origins, dynamics, social pleasures, and clinical benefits of courage, resilience, gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, and sacrifice, Good Stuff sheds light on a corner of human experience that has remained inadequately understood by psychoanalysts and other mental health professionals.

This book integrates psychiatry and psychoanalysis to present deeper and sounder clinical profiles of the personality disorders than have been hitherto available.

Offers clinicians a glimpse into the dark corners of psychopathology and the arenas of healthy mental functioning.