Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

The Double-Edged Sword of Lithium Therapy

What is it like to take lithium? What are the side effects of lithium therapy? In her memoir An Unquiet Mind, Dr. Kay Jamison presents a deeply personal account of her experiences with lithium therapy. She felt as though the drug has dampened the edges of her emotional experience, turning her into a shell of her real self. Read about Kay Jamison’s experience with lithium therapy, as she recounts in her book An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness.

Paul Farmer’s Education: Anthropology to Medicine

Where did Paul Farmer go to school? How did Paul Farmer’s education set him on the path to becoming the public health care icon he is hailed as today? Paul Farmer started out as an anthropology student at Duke University. However, he realized that he had a fundamental conflict with observing people without any attempt at helping them improve their lives. So, he decided to study at Harvard where he could earn a dual degree in medicine and anthropology. Read more to learn about Paul Farmer’s education, and how it paved the way for his career in global health care.

Maintain Good Health: 3 Principles to Know

Do you want to stay strong and healthy for life? What can you do to maintain good health physically, mentally, and emotionally? In his book High Performance Habits, Brendon Burchard stresses the role of health in high performance. To be a high performer, you need to maintain all-around good health, including physical, mental, and emotional health. Keep reading for Brendon Burchard’s techniques, tips, and principles that will help you maintain good health.

Bipolar Disorder Stigma and the Role of Language

What is the role of language in bipolar disorder stigma? Does the way we talk about mental illness affect the public perceptions of the afflicted? According to Kay Redfield Jamison, language can cause harm and pain to the mentally ill. However, it is unlikely to change bipolar disorder stigma or public perceptions of mental illness to any significant degree. Read more to learn about Dr. Jamison’s perspective on the role of language in bipolar disorder stigma.

An Unquiet Mind: In the Grip of a Manic Bipolar Episode

What does it feel like to experience mania? How does one feel and behave during a manic bipolar episode? Kay Redfield Jamison suffered from bipolar mania depression for most of her life. When in the grip of a manic bipolar episode, she threw herself into all kinds of activities and made elaborate plans for the future. Read about Kay Redfield Jamison’s manic bipolar episode experience, as she recounts in her memoir An Unquiet Mind.

Healthy Work-Life Balance: It’s All About Efficiency

How would you describe your work-life balance? Do you think it’s healthy? What does a healthy work-life balance look like to you? Many people struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They claim that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get their work done and focus on their personal life. However, for most people, the problem isn’t time. It’s inefficiency. Here is a simple exercise to help you chart a healthy work-life balance.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide: Rise, Fall, and Second Coming

When did Jean-Bertrand Aristide become the president of Haiti? How long did his presidency last and why did it end? Jean-Bertrand Aristide was a Catholic priest and the ousted president of Haiti. In October 1994, Aristide was reinstated as president with the help of a medical doctor and anthropologist Paul Farmer. Read more about Jean-Bertrand Aristide, including his political rise, fall, and second coming to power.

Jim Yong Kim: The Case for Cheaper Antibiotics

Who is Jim Yong Kim in Mountains Beyond Mountains? How did he contribute to lowering the price of antibiotics for treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis? Jim Yong Kim is a Korean-American physician who co-founded Partners in Health, a non-profit organization committed to bringing medical care to those in need. Kim helped increase access to treatment for MDR tuberculosis. Read more to learn how Jim Yong Kim contributed to lowering the price of antibiotics for MDR TB treatment.

What Does it Mean to Live Purposefully?

What does it mean to live purposefully? What are the four elements of purposeful living? To live purposefully means to pursue things that hold personal meaning in in your life. There are four elements of purposeful living: enthusiasm, connection, satisfaction, and coherence. Keep reading to understand what it means to live purposefully.

Signs of Mania in Bipolar Disorder: Kay Jamison’s Story

What are the signs of mania? How does mania manifest in everyday life? In her memoir An Unquiet Mind, Kay Jamison recounts her struggles with bipolar disorder, which hit in her senior year of high school. This is when she experienced her first signs of mania. Read about Kay Jamison’s experiences and signs of mania as she rode the emotional roller coaster of bipolar disorder.