Books dealing with NPD

LifeSong wrote:Please know that these books are not written in a Sam Vaknin fashion and they are not brutal on those with NPD.

Vaknin is not only a diagnosed psychopath, but even starred in his own documentary about it, 'I, Psychopath':

http://blip.tv/file/2268740

I highly suggest the book "The Narcissistic/Borderline Couple" by Joan Lachkar. This book helped me get through a rough period right after I broke up with my N ex. It answered a lot of my questions and cleared up most of the confusion.

Snakes in suits. When psychopats - also narcs - go to work. Paul Babiak Ph.D. & Robert D. Hare, Ph.D. Collins Business, 2006.
Very, very, very good.

I just read "Slings and Arrows". Here's a short review.

The book deals with Narcissistic Injury - the kind that is a normal but sometimes unhelpful/unhealthy reaction in people. The author explains its place in therapy (both in the patient and the therapist) mostly through personal anecdotes.

In relation to NPD and pathological Narcissism, I wouldn't recommend it. It never really comes up. I personally did not find it enlightening or therapudic either, but it might be for less pathalogical people?

In general: It uses a lot of phsychobabble, which is a pro or a con depending on your opinion of that sort of thing. Pros are that the stories are interesting, and the author does a lot of excellent explaining of how therapy functions, and stresses the importance of viewing therapy as a partnership. My biggest "con" was that the author is extremely Freudian-based, so there's lots of stuff I think is balogna and better explained through newer means. It always sounds to me like they'r trying to rationalize their case. (Side note: I think compulsive eating as a sign of repressed desire to give oral sex is rediculous. But I'm just in denial, right? Derp, derp.)

It's also important to point out the book was published in 1995. Fifteen years is a long time in the medical world. For example, she mentions that many psychologists thought Borderlines were beyond treatable (she disagreed thankfully) - of course we know now that BPD is very treatable when the right therapy is applied.

I've got a couple other N-related books in the mail...I'll keep posting reviews as I read them.

stodd1975 wrote:I highly suggest the book "The Narcissistic/Borderline Couple" by Joan Lachkar. This book helped me get through a rough period right after I broke up with my N ex.

That's one I've got coming. It caught my eye since my last relationship was with someone with BPD, and my current has PTSD...I wonder how typical this is? (Probably very, it looks like.)

"Narcissistic Predicaments", By Sister Renee Pitelli

More reading ebook psychology via web http://oyot.org/

Respect wrote:Stalking the Soul: Emotional Abuse and the Erosion of Identity
Marie-France Hirigoyen

An extremely helpful insight into narcissism both in the workplace and in personal relationships. Looks at abusers and victims, and gives lots of case studies. I found it really practical and realistic, as opposed to Lowen's book which i could not relate to so well.

In this book you get everything you need. This book can save your soul. Also about families!

Just had to add to the list...
Will I ever Be Good Enough - Healing the Daughters of Narc Mothers by Karyl McBride, Ph.D - 2008

The Emotionally Absent Mother by Jasmin Lee Cori

My favourite book on narcissism is Narcissism from Alexander Lowen. He is not a psychologist but a doctor and he categorizes narcissism to different types, and identifies himself as being of one of them. In this book he reviews his views on the topic and uses his private practice to showcase examples for various types in narcissism. His text is very insightful and is organised around the idea that narcissism is essentially the denial of the self, the real self. The examples for breakthroughs of some of his patients was very-very helpful during my own therapy.