Fatal Flaws: Navigating Destructive Relationships with People with Disorders...

by Stuart C. Yudofsky

Featuring case vignettes from nearly 30 years of Dr. Yudofsky's clinical practice and incorporating the knowledge of gifted clinicians, educators, and research scientists with whom he has collaborated throughout that time, Fatal Navigating Destructive Relationships With People With Disorders of Personality and Character uniquely captures the rapidly increasing body of clinical and research information about people with severe and persistent personality and character disorders.

Within these pages, the author brings to life the psychopathologies of personality and character disorders through vivid vignettes based on composites of his many patients and their most important relationships -- while meticulously changing the identifying facts and relevant details to protect confidentiality.

Covering the clinical course, treatment, genetics, biology, psychology, and destructive consequences of hysterical (histrionic), narcissistic, antisocial, paranoid, obsessive-compulsive, addictive, borderline, and schizotypal personality disorders, Fatal Flaws stands out in the literature for these powerful It is written for an unusually broad audience, from mental health students and trainees of all disciplines, to highly experienced clinicians, to patients who suffer from or are in destructive relationships with people with personality disorders. It is a hybrid -- part psychiatric textbook for clinicians and part self-help manual for patients and clients with personality and character disorders. It is designed to supplement treatment by providing patients with practical, evidence-based information about personality disorders and character flaws. It is particularly valuable to patients who are in psychotherapy, in part, because they are entangled in destructive relationships with people with disorders of personality and/or character. It is written in the first person, with the author directly communicating with a patient who either has a personality or character disorder or is in an important relationship with a person who has such a disorder. It is useful for people who are uncertain whether they or their loved ones have personality or character disorders, and who want to know more about these conditions and their treatments before making a decision about securing the help of a mental health professional.

Fatal Navigating Destructive Relationships With People With Disorders of Personality and Character is a compelling volume that provides the essential information and a realistic sense of the clinical experience required to inform, orient, and support novice mental health professionals and seasoned practitioners alike as they face the ongoing challenges of treating patients or clients with personality or character disorders. It should also prove to be an invaluable resource for those who wish practical and effective help in understanding and changing their destructive relationships with people who have severe and persistent disorders of personality and/or character.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help

512 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while I was taking a class in Psychopathology. It provided a much needed bridge from theory to practice. Yudofsky writes with deep empathy and compassion for his clients and humanizes the struggles of people who are suffering from personality disorders.

A must read for all mental health professionals.

[Justin Meek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a psychoanalytical discussion of personality and character flaws. In particular, it delves into the destructive consequences of hysterical (histrionic), narcissistic, antisocial, paranoid, obsessive-compulsive, addictive, borderline, and schizotypal personality disorders.

[Susan]

Many people with narcissistic personality disorder will not accept treatment or will not benefit from psychotherapeutic treatment.

[Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well regarded psychiatrist writes the definitive book on personality disorders.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely well put together series of explanations and studies which I recommend to students of psychology. Unfortunately the DSM has moved on in edition since this was written, but the outlines are still highly instructive for the reader to achieve understanding of process.

[Elizabeth Lund]

Minorly interesting, a chapter on OCPD. Nothing really actionable for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alternate title would be "Psychiatric Care for the Rich and Famous." While the case studies may read like People magazine, Yudofsky does manage to present the modules in a highly organized, easy-to-understand manner.

[Theresa Garton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive explanation of character disorders. It is appropriate for Laymen, as well as professionals. It explains how to recognize character disorders in people around you, and also how to interact with difficult people showing certain characteristics.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encyclopedic for working with people w/ disorders

[Teri Temme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating (and terrifying). Very readable text. The stories are well told, detailed and very useful.