Meaning from Madness: Understanding the Hidden Patterns That Motivate Abusers: Narcissists, Borderlines, and Sociopaths

by Richard Skerritt

A substantial fraction of the people around us suffer from personality disorders. To cope, they distort both their reality and ours. Their behavior can be baffling and puzzling, and worse, they often abuse those closest to them. The author presents a new and effective way for people to understand and recognize the three of these disorders that often lead to abusive behavior. Describing each using a single dynamic - an underlying motivation - rather than a list of behaviors is an easier way to grasp and deal with these disorders. He then describes the psychological defense mechanisms that stabilize the distorted world created by the disordered, and explains how substance abuse adds fuel to the fire of disordered behavior. he also offers the latest thinking on the prospects for improvement with treatment, and a realistic perspective on the likelihood that the disordered will choose this path.

Genres: Nonfiction

88 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for relatives or significant others of abusers. It is brief and focuses on how to understand the way they perceive reality, which is quite different. The book focuses on three personality disorders and how those who are disordered are motivated by their inner thoughts, perceptions, priorities and moods. The author does a great job of showing the thought process a narcissist or borderline person might engage in, and how a simple statement might cause a disordered mind to leap to completely unbased conclusions. The self-loathing inherent in borderline and narcissistic personalities is not obvious, because these persons will strive to maintain an illusion of perfection and might seem to be self-involved and even vain. I think that this is an excellent introduction to these disorders and may help a significant other process the behavior of a loved one and achieve some understanding.

[David Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer on a topic that probably effects a lot more people than know it. I am concern that use of the term 'abusers' may prevent people from thinking this is relevant because many associate the term with physical abuse but do not understand the prevalance and insidiousness of verbal/emotional abuse. If there are things that 'drive you crazy' and seem irresolveable - look up the dynamics of verbal/emotional abuse and consider checking this book out. It is a quick, easy read and may forever change the way you perceive things.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me a lot of much needed information. He is not a doctor or psychologist, so his work is based mostly on personal experience. He pushes toward getting OUT of these relationships and doesn't give much hope for them to work. I always believe there is hope if one is willing to search and work.