Aggressivity, Narcissism, and Self-Destructiveness in the Psychotherapeutic Relationship: New Developments in the Psychopathology and Psychotherapy of Severe Personality Disorders

by Otto F. Kernberg

02 In this book a leading psychoanalytic clinician and theoretician presents his thoughts on the latest psychodynamic developments and insights related to treatment of severe personality disorders. Dividing his discussions into two sections, one on psychopathology and the other on psychotherapy, Dr. Otto F. Kernberg examines borderline personality disorder, narcissism, sexual inhibition, transference and countertransference, suicidal behavior, and eating disorders. In each chapter he integrates the ideas of European and Latin American psychoanalytic thinkers, bringing them to the attention of English-speaking readers. This book includes a selection of recently published journal articles. Their collection into one volume makes readily available Dr. Kernberg’s present thinking on an important subject.
In this book a leading psychoanalytic clinician and theoretician presents his thoughts on the latest psychodynamic developments and insights related to treatment of severe personality disorders. Dividing his discussions into two sections, one on psychopathology and the other on psychotherapy, Dr. Otto F. Kernberg examines borderline personality disorder, narcissism, sexual inhibition, transference and countertransference, suicidal behavior, and eating disorders. In each chapter he integrates the ideas of European and Latin American psychoanalytic thinkers, bringing them to the attention of English-speaking readers. This book includes a selection of recently published journal articles. Their collection into one volume makes readily available Dr. Kernberg’s present thinking on an important subject.

Genres: Psychology

288 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2004

About the author

Otto Friedmann Kernberg (born 10 September 1928) is an Austrian-born American psychoanalyst and professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is most widely known for his psychoanalytic theories on borderline personality organization and narcissistic pathology.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the initial chapters focused specifically on narcissism, I was happily surprised by the later content of the book, which covered definitions and history of psychodynamic therapies, contraindications for treatment styles, transference and countertransference management, and more.

For those without knowledge of psychodynamic terminology, the barrier to access is high with Kernberg, but once this hurdle is overcome he speaks with alarming and welcomed clarity regarding extremely complex pathological syndromes.

[Giuseppe Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Use this and I’m assuming all of his other books as reference books only unless you are well versed in the field which I am not. This is not a fun read. Extremely bland and boring writing, but gets the job done. It is packed with a ton of interesting information but unfortunately it’s presented as dry as possible.