ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE JAN-FEB-MAR 2023 (Vol VI, Issue XXIX)
Article Published on: 17TH MAR 2023 | www.demodemagazine.com
"HOW MY BRAIN WORKS" - BY AUTHOR BARBARA KOLTUSKA-HASKIN
The wide range of useful information contained in this book can help the reader in many ways: basic understanding of this unique organ, advice for anyone concerned about the possibility of a cognitive problem, and the wisdom of the author’s experience in helping her many patients and others to keep their brain healthy and working at their highest level.
Students with learning problems, young people considering varied career paths, victims of brain injuries or mental disorders, and the middle-aged and elderly at risk of dementia - all can gain from the knowledge Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin has gained in her many years as a practicing neuropsychologist. In easy-to-understand language, she explains the countless ways the evaluation process she uses can help people in a wide variety of situations, and how the results can be used for maximum benefit.
Plus, building on this information, Dr. Koltuska-Haskin offers a wealth of advice and tips on how to build and maintain optimum brain health. Reaching widely into the physical, psychological, nutritional, and spiritual worlds, she pulls together new research as well as age-old treasured learning to create an everyday guide to harnessing our most powerful mental tools in shaping the healthful and successful lives we all seek.
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BOOK REVIEWS
Dr. Koltuska’s book “How My Brain Works” is written in simple and easy-to-understand terms. In the first part of her book, Dr. Koltuska does an excellent job, first, summarizing the history of neuropsychology and, then, explaining what a neuropsychology evaluation is, the purpose of such an evaluation, and how the results can help not only the patients and their families, but a vast array of professionals, including general practitioners, neurologists, mental health professionals, physical & occupational therapists, case managers, and rehabilitation counselors among others. Dr. Koltuska provides case examples and offers remedial suggestions for different conditions affecting brain functioning, encouraging patients to master their strengths as a way of overcoming their weaknesses.
The second part of her book, and my favorite one, is unique, as it deals with a variety of techniques contributing to brain health. First, Dr. Koltuska lists the importance of proper nutrition (including the value of vitamins, supplements, and herbs), providing us with pictures of what different herbs and edible flowers look like, and even giving us recipes for healthy meals. Next, she discusses the importance of sleeping well, exercising, practicing yoga, and stimulating the brain. Finally, Dr. Koltuska describes the power of mindfulness and meditation, and encourages us to practice gratitude, kindness, compassion, and getting in touch with our spiritual self, inviting us to strive for progress rather than perfection.
Dr. Gabriela U. Munoz (Reviewed in the United States)
This is a very readable and useful little book. It is divided into two parts: the first gives a lucid introduction to the field of neuropsychology with examples from real patients treated by the author; the second is an exploration of plants and herbs which the author has personally grown and found to be beneficial to brain health and overall well-being. In her discussion of neuropsychology, Dr. Koltuska offers guidance on the different types of brain injury and directs the reader to sources of help for conditions ranging from memory loss to traumatic brain injury. This is most helpful for someone who feels lost as to what type of therapeutic treatment to seek.
R. Green (Reviewed in the United States)
AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (FINALIST)
NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS (FINALIST)
ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARD (FIRST PLACE)
THE DA VINCI EYE - THE ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD (FINALIST)
READER'S FAVORITE BOOK AWARD WINNER BIG NYC BOOK AWARD 2021 (DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE)
THE IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS (FINALIST)
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR BARBARA KOLTUSKA-HASKIN
Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin is a Clinical Neuropsychologist in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has over thirty years of clinical experience. She also has a research and academic teaching background. In addition to her doctorate in psychology/neuropsychology, she has a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Education degree (valedictorian). She also completed 450 hours of academic coursework in psychopharmacology sponsored by the Southwestern Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy/New Mexico State University Collaborative. She is also a classically trained mezzo-soprano.
Dr. Koltuska-Haskin is the author of the SEVEN awards-winning book titled, “How My Brain Works, A Guide to Understanding it Better and Keeping it Healthy.” Her book was a finalist at the International Books Awards and a Finalist at the Independent Author Network BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS. Her Book was also honored with a Silver Medal at the Readers’ Favorite International Books Award and was honored Distinguished Favorite Award at the NEW YORK CITY BIG BOOK AWARDS. Her book was also a finalist at the New Mexico/Arizona Books Award and 1st PLACE WINNER at the 2021 ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS. Recently, How My Brain Works has been chosen as a finalist in the 2022 Eric Hoffer Awards in the da Vinci Eye category for its cover design. She loves New Mexico for its sunshine, beautiful nature, and hospitality of the people. She always feels that she is “New Mexican in her heart.” She loves walking New Mexico’s trails, and the climate of the high desert cultivates her passion for organic gardening. Dr. Koltuska-Haskin was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland. In 1989, she was awarded the AAUW (American Association of University Women) International Fellowship given to one out of thirty international applicants. She spent her fellowship year at UCLA’s postdoctoral training program in neuropsychology. She later received her US citizenship as an “alien of exceptional abilities” on the basis of her education, research in neuropsychology, and clinical achievements.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR BARBARA KOLTUSKA-HASKIN - www.drkoltuska.com
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON INSTAGRAM.
Read Author BARBARA KOLTUSKA-HASKIN's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the JAN-FEB-MAR 2023 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
Download/Order the full issue here.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR BARBARA KOLTUSKA-HASKIN
Q: How do you handle writer's block?
A. I do not have any. My main problem is finding time to write because as a rare brain functioning specialist, I have a busy practice.
Q: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
A. Finding time to write.
Q: How do you handle revisions and editing processes for your work?
A. Editors unusually know less about my subject (brain) than I do so I do not have problems with them.
Q: What was the most surprising thing you discovered while completing your book?
A. How the huge amount of money does the book publicity cost and brings very little in return.
Q: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
A. I am so happy that my book is helping people take care of their brain health, which may prevent dementia. I am getting so many positive responses from my readers which warms up my heart.
Q: What was your inspiration for the story?
A. My patients were the main inspiration for my book. The impetus for my book largely stemmed from the remarkable individuals I had the privilege of treating, whose stories and struggles were so compelling that I knew they deserved to be shared with a wider audience.
Q: What is the significance of the title?
A. To encourage and inspire people to start taking care of their brain health. Brain health is crucial for our overall well-being, yet it is often neglected or taken for granted. To address this, it is important to encourage and inspire people to prioritize their brain health. By doing so, individuals can improve their cognitive function, reduce their risk of cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer's, and enhance their mental and emotional resilience.
Q: What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
A. That brain health is very important for their general well-being and not that difficult to achieve.
Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
A. Publishing is a very difficult process, period.
Q: Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
A. Dr. Wayne Dyer
Q: If you could ask one author that you admire three questions about their writing, writing process, or books, what would they be?
A. How did you find all that time to write them?
Q: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with our readers?
A. I am a blogger for the 'Psychology Today Magazine and every month I write popular articles about brain health and brain food.