Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration, and Safety

by Elinor Greenberg

Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations demystifies the diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders. It offers clear and practical advice on how to differentiate and treat clients who have made Borderline, Narcissistic, or Schizoid adaptations. Elinor Greenberg begins with an overview of the topic of personality disorders, reframes these disorders as adaptations, and then explains the treatment interventions that work best for each type of adaptation. Later chapters describe how to do specific interventions that deal with commonly encountered treatment issues such as: such as: "How to undo a Narcissistic shame-based self-hating depression," "How to judge a Schizoid client's sense of interpersonal safety from their dreams," and "How to help Borderline clients reach their goals." Each type of intervention is explained in detail, ample clinical examples are given, as is how and when to utilize the method in the client's treatment. Both beginning therapists and experienced clinicians alike will find this book a useful resource that will expand their understanding and effectiveness with this often challenging group of clients.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Relationships, Mental Illness, Psychoanalysis, Medicine

382 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2016

Reviews

[Carrie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a therapist, but I found this book accessible enough for me to learn a lot without getting bogged down in therapy jargon. The examples were interesting and engaging. I was disappointed that schizoid adaptations got such a small section, though, after the long sections about borderline and narcissistic adaptations.

[Kristen Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot. But bummed that the Schizoid chapter only got 16 dedicated pages most of which are dream interpretations. Borderline got 88 pages, Narcissist gets 82 pages, both with lots of details on how/why one develops those adaptations and how to treat them.

But i did lol at the sentence in the paragraph about the Schizoid subtype ‘The Intellectual’ :: “Sometimes these clients come to therapy after researching their symptoms and reading some books on Schizoid adaptations.”

[Chilaba Hamwela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, excellently structured and logical. Dr Elinor Greenberg writes in a relatable yet honest fashion. She gives a very clear definition of each of the adaptations and then unpacks each of them, making the differences between them easily distinguishable. The background of how each of the adaptations is developed is helpful in developing empathy for narcissistic and borderline personalities as it helps to understand them better.

[Janice Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on this topic, engaging and clearly written.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theory of BPD from perspective of Gestalt psychology.

[Jamie Peoples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for all therapists.

[Alina Kuhlmann]

Ich lese sehr gern psychologische Sachbücher und Ratgeber. Darum habe ich mich über das Rezensionsexemplar besonders gefreut. Durch das Lesen von Therapiemöglichkeiten und Entstehungsweisen verschiedener Krankheiten lerne ich viel über mich selbst. Hier liegt der Fokus auf die Persönlichkeitsstörungen, was ich persönlich sehr wichtig finde. Wir reden zu wenig über diese Form der Erkrankungen. Die Autorin macht mit ihrem Buch einen Schritt in die richtige Richtung.

Das Buch ist besonders den Menschen zu empfehlen, die mit Persönlichkeitsstörungen arbeiten oder arbeiten wollen. Genauso gut funktioniert das Buch auch als Aufklärung für Menschen, die Betroffene in ihrem sozialen Umfeld haben oder für die Betroffenen selbst. Ein Fachwissen über die eigene Erkrankung aufzubauen ist für eine Behandlung (meiner Meinung nach) wertvoll.

Ein besonderes Highlight ist der einfache Schreibstil der Autorin. Oftmals sind Fachbücher kompliziert geschrieben und für Laien kaum zu verstehen. Das ist hier glücklicherweise gar nicht der Fall. Elinor Greenberg achtet genau darauf, sich für die Masse der Menschen verständlich auszudrücken, um damit gegen das Unverständnis der Krankheiten anzukämpfen.

Ein mehr oder weniger "Kritikpunkt": Bücher, die von Ärzten* und Therapeuten* geschrieben werden, sind aus ihrer Perspektive geschrieben. Wir bekommen einen Einblick aus der Sichtweise der behandelnden Ärzten*. Für mich ist das ein manchmal naiver und vor allem privilegierter Einblick. Es ist eine Sache sich aus Interesse mit einer Krankheit auseinander zu setzen und sich zu überlegen Patienten mit dieser Erkrankung überhaupt zu behandeln. Eine ganz andere Sache ist es von der Krankheit betroffen zu sein und damit leben zu müssen. Das macht das Buch nicht wertlos, aber ich finde wichtig, dass beim Lesen im Hinterkopf zu behalten.

[Robert Mulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is definitely written for someone in the field psychology who deals with these forms of adaptation. It is technical in it's terminology but not to the point where a lay person can not benefit from her insights. Can't say it was enjoyable but it was a good book to give an overview of the subject matter.

[Chanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for a practitioner because a lot of it is how to manage treating such difficult people.

[taddeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr guter Überblick, nur etwas wenig zur schizoiden Anpassung

[David McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Greenberg, an internationally respected teacher and practitioner of Gestalt therapy, is a singular expert in personality disorders -- how they happen, and clear guidance on how to help. The guidance is for therapists, but the book is clear and direct, accessible to clients and the general reader. I've recommended it to clients, some of whom have discovered themselves accurately described in the pages of the book, a boost to their work in psychotherapy and their confidence in the therapeutic process.

"Adaptations" is a key word in the title and throughout the book. In that word, Dr. Greenberg captures the essence: Folks adapt to early experiences (or lack of those experiences) and seek love, admiration, and safety in ways that may not serve them well. She provides vivid descriptions of the process and how healing can happen, often with details and suggestions in a "How To" format, which as a working therapist I deeply appreciate. There are headings like "How to undo a Narcissistic shame-based self-hating depression," and "How to judge a Schizoid client’s sense of interpersonal safety from their dreams," and "How to help Borderline clients reach their goals."

I've been a psychologist since 1994 and I'm happy to confess that Dr. Greenberg's book opened some new doors for me and made me a better therapist.

[Тaniia Тkachuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Одна з кращих книг-підручників по гештальт-терапії, які я читала. Пані Елеонор мала за мету поділитися досвідом роботи із клієнтам з різними адаптаціями особистості із колегами, особливо початківцями - і в неї це чудово вийшло. Без надмірного пафосу, з гумором, чітко, з конкретними прикладами.
Також ця любов, з якою авторка пише про кожен із типів адаптацій( вона спеціально акцентує увагу, що адаптація, не розлад), як їй працювати з такими клієнтами та надихає бачити в людині унікальне полотно, а не лего із порушень психіки.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a good amount of insight in the section dealing with narcissism. Recommend it for the compassionate approach to working with narcissism. It's a little bit disappointing that coverage on the schizoid section was shorter at the end, but two other conditions are covered first.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like others have said, I was disappointed with the length of chapters about Schizoid adaptation.

The information was definitely readable and it helped me put in to words things I have been feeling and never could define.

[Emilis Kuke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked very much. Was quite easy to read, a lot of new material, especially about transferences, inner world of clients and therapist role.

[Amelie Prinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was written in easy to digest language and had a lot of good practical suggestions. Definitely worth reading

[Madalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Mary S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Can be a little heavy in places for those with no experience on the topic, but she does a great job of explaining. Extremely knowledgeable.

[Riven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trauma-informed, compassionate perspective on BPD, NPD, and SZPD contextualized as childhood adaptions to attachment trauma. One of the few writers I trust to talk about NPD without heavy stigma. Wish the schizoid section wasn't as short as it is. Given Elinor Greenberg writes so much about schizoid adaptions on her Quora and Psychology Today, I had known her for her detailed descriptions of schizoid adaptions and expected more of that here than was provided.