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Positive Disintegration
Kazimierz Dabrowski refers to his view of personality development as the theory of positive disintegration. He defines disintegration as disharmony within the individual and in his adaptation to the external environment. Anxiety, psychoneurosis, and psychosis are symptoms of disintegration. In general, disintegration refers to involution, psychopathology, and retrogression to a lower level of psychic functioning. Integration is the evolution, psychic health, and adequate adaptation, both within the self and to the environment. Dabrowski postulates a developmental instinct-that is, a tendency of man to evolve from lower to higher levels of personality. He regards personality as primarily developing through dissatisfaction with, and fragmentation of, the existing psychic structure-a period of disintegration-and finally a secondary integration at a higher level. Dabrowski feels that no growth takes place without previous disintegration. He regards symptoms of anxiety, psychoneurosis, and even some symptoms of psychosis as the signs of the disintegration stage of this evolution, and therefore not always pathological.
130 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
50 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Kazimierz Dąbrowski
20 books71 followersKazimierz Dabrowski (September 1, 1902–November 26, 1980) was a psychologist, psychiatrist, educator, and prolific writer, publishing over 30 books and 250 papers in various languages during his lifetime. He received degrees in medicine (University of Geneva, 1929) and psychology (Poznan, 1931), certificates in psychoanalysis (under Wilhelm Stekel in Vienna, 1934) and public health (Harvard University, 1934), and habilitations in children’s psychotherapy (University of Geneva, 1934) and psychiatry (University of Wrocław, 1948), among other honours and achievements. In addition to Stekel, Dabrowski studied under some of the most prominent figures in his field, both in Poland and abroad, including Jean Piaget, Pierre Janet, Édouard Claparède, and Stefan Blachowski. In 1935 he founded the Institute of Mental Hygiene in Warsaw, Poland, which he directed until 1948. Under Nazi occupation, he and his colleagues used the facility to hide Polish resistance soldiers, refugees, doctors and priests involved in the underground movement. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942. In 1950, the communist authorities arrested him and his wife, and he was incarcerated for 18 months. After his release, strict restraints were placed on his activities until he was declared ‘rehabilitated’ in 1956. Throughout his career he taught and lectured at many universities around the world, including a professorship in experimental psychology at Warsaw in 1956 and, from 1964 on, the position of Professor and Director of Clinical Research and Internship at the University of Alberta. He also served as Visiting Professor at Laval University in Quebec from 1968. He passed away in Warsaw in 1980 after suffering a heart attack in 1979.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 26, 2010
Perhaps the most informative book I have ever read on a singular theory of psychology. Kazimierz Dabrowksi was one of the most brilliant humans to have ever lived, and his theory is very well explained and studied in this book.
June 9, 2017
I had stumbled up on Dabrowski a couple of years ago, and did not have the funds to get the book, nor was I able to find it in libraries. However, I think it's 2016, his books became available via digital through Amazon.com. To say I was stoked would be an understatement. I borrowed one from the Kindle library and bought the other. They are really important reads.
I found them particularly of use for my issues with PTSD, and the feeling, in review, of my life of having been torn down and coming back stronger every time. Having read astrology I liken the issues to that of Pluto and Saturn playing racket ball with my life and never knowing who was in charge of the serve, breaking all the rules thrown at them.
Auto-psychotherapy, narrative therapy, and new perspectives on therapy in general are addressed here. There is in fact POSITIVE and "NEGATIVE" disintegration experiences. But what I got out of it, is: 1) re-read, take notes, study extensively and use this in my life coaching practice; and 2) perhaps in some cases negative and positive are neither they are simply opportunities for growth with the right personality and mental faculties.
An exceptional read, worth going over several times.
I found them particularly of use for my issues with PTSD, and the feeling, in review, of my life of having been torn down and coming back stronger every time. Having read astrology I liken the issues to that of Pluto and Saturn playing racket ball with my life and never knowing who was in charge of the serve, breaking all the rules thrown at them.
Auto-psychotherapy, narrative therapy, and new perspectives on therapy in general are addressed here. There is in fact POSITIVE and "NEGATIVE" disintegration experiences. But what I got out of it, is: 1) re-read, take notes, study extensively and use this in my life coaching practice; and 2) perhaps in some cases negative and positive are neither they are simply opportunities for growth with the right personality and mental faculties.
An exceptional read, worth going over several times.
November 30, 2016
An interesting book about how certain "pathological" conditions may often be symptoms of potential for development. It's quite accessible even if you don't have extensive knowledge of what is now essentially outdated psychology.
This is a must read for anyone who has an appreciation for Piaget or Adler.
This is a must read for anyone who has an appreciation for Piaget or Adler.
August 27, 2022
Theory of positive disintegration states that mental disturbances (neurosis, depression, even psychotic episodes) are an essential part of personality development and not always harmful.
Positive disintegration is one where the disintegration of the old, inferior personality traits, opinions, life style etc. get challenged by their superior counterparts. In that painful process, certain disturbances are expected and essential. But after this period of struggle, there's stabilization on a higher level of personality, morality, spiritual development than before the crisis. There are also pathological and negative disintegrations, but read the book.
This is just a brief introduction, the book is great and should be read by every person that takes their spiritual and mental development seriously. I can confirm trough personal experience that the contents of the book are very accurate.
Positive disintegration is one where the disintegration of the old, inferior personality traits, opinions, life style etc. get challenged by their superior counterparts. In that painful process, certain disturbances are expected and essential. But after this period of struggle, there's stabilization on a higher level of personality, morality, spiritual development than before the crisis. There are also pathological and negative disintegrations, but read the book.
This is just a brief introduction, the book is great and should be read by every person that takes their spiritual and mental development seriously. I can confirm trough personal experience that the contents of the book are very accurate.
January 27, 2022
The theory of positive disintegration is fascinating. The book gets very repetitive toward the end, stating the basic tenet of the theory over and over again: (certain) behaviors and attitudes often ascribed to mental illness are actually signs of the development of personality, often through the upheaval or dissolution (disintegration) of previous, "lower" aspects of personality, and therefore are actually signs of mental health, if anything.
At first, this repetition is helpful, because the explanations rely heavily on fuzzy terminology that is never fully explained or defined, with terms such as "disposing and directing center" and "the third factor". The repetition helps consolidate the reader's understanding through osmosis, eventually. But in the end, it becomes excessive.
Still, the basic idea of the theory seems valuable, to me. The factual accuracy of it is difficult for me to determine, although it helps in this regard that the author does stress that there are also pathological forms of this disintegration process, thus defending the theory against anecdotal counterexamples. But he does seem to be of the opinion that in the majority of cases, a nervous, self-dissatisfied person experiencing feelings of guilt and shame is actually undergoing a healthy form of personality development. I don't know if that's right, quantitatively. But if nothing else, it's a pleasant thought to hold on to if you ever experience these sorts of emotions, yourself.
Dąbrowski mentions that these episodes of personality development through positive disintegration are aimed at a "personality ideal", and early in the book this seems to be a rather prescriptive and somewhat old-fashioned ideal. The "lower" personality aspects relate to instinctual impulses and egocentric behaviors; the "higher" aspects are more cultural and alterocentric. I thought perhaps this lower end of the spectrum, which relates to a "primary integration" that is perhaps the default for most people early in life, might be similar to Freud's "id". The higher end, the "secondary integration", would then be the "superego". The "ego" seems to be missing, unless that is this disposing and directing center that keeps popping up.
Freud's ego helps the person select when to follow the id and when to follow the superego, so there is less of an inherent judgment in favor of one or the other, but Dąbrowski, stating it in terms of "lower" and "higher", seems more judgmental here. Furthermore, sometimes specific ideals are suggested, such as committed monogamous relationships rather than shallow sexual pursuits. I think people should be free to decide this sort of thing for themselves, and one is not necessarily superior to another, so I was unhappy with this aspect of the book. But then in the final chapter, he writes, "In assessing the mental health of outstanding persons one should apply individual, almost unique, personality norms, for the course of their development must be evaluated in terms of their own personality ideals." Alright then.
All in all, this was very interesting, and I'm glad this book was recommended to me. I think I'll be thinking this one over for quite a while.
At first, this repetition is helpful, because the explanations rely heavily on fuzzy terminology that is never fully explained or defined, with terms such as "disposing and directing center" and "the third factor". The repetition helps consolidate the reader's understanding through osmosis, eventually. But in the end, it becomes excessive.
Still, the basic idea of the theory seems valuable, to me. The factual accuracy of it is difficult for me to determine, although it helps in this regard that the author does stress that there are also pathological forms of this disintegration process, thus defending the theory against anecdotal counterexamples. But he does seem to be of the opinion that in the majority of cases, a nervous, self-dissatisfied person experiencing feelings of guilt and shame is actually undergoing a healthy form of personality development. I don't know if that's right, quantitatively. But if nothing else, it's a pleasant thought to hold on to if you ever experience these sorts of emotions, yourself.
Dąbrowski mentions that these episodes of personality development through positive disintegration are aimed at a "personality ideal", and early in the book this seems to be a rather prescriptive and somewhat old-fashioned ideal. The "lower" personality aspects relate to instinctual impulses and egocentric behaviors; the "higher" aspects are more cultural and alterocentric. I thought perhaps this lower end of the spectrum, which relates to a "primary integration" that is perhaps the default for most people early in life, might be similar to Freud's "id". The higher end, the "secondary integration", would then be the "superego". The "ego" seems to be missing, unless that is this disposing and directing center that keeps popping up.
Freud's ego helps the person select when to follow the id and when to follow the superego, so there is less of an inherent judgment in favor of one or the other, but Dąbrowski, stating it in terms of "lower" and "higher", seems more judgmental here. Furthermore, sometimes specific ideals are suggested, such as committed monogamous relationships rather than shallow sexual pursuits. I think people should be free to decide this sort of thing for themselves, and one is not necessarily superior to another, so I was unhappy with this aspect of the book. But then in the final chapter, he writes, "In assessing the mental health of outstanding persons one should apply individual, almost unique, personality norms, for the course of their development must be evaluated in terms of their own personality ideals." Alright then.
All in all, this was very interesting, and I'm glad this book was recommended to me. I think I'll be thinking this one over for quite a while.
September 22, 2019
The forward provides 90% of the information in the rest of the book and in much clearer language. Read it and skip the rest.
May 15, 2020
Bit repetitive. The forward contains the nucleus of what Dabrowksi is trying to convey. If you only get through the forward, you’ve pretty much gleamed all you need.
January 26, 2024
The author sees positive disintegration as a healthy process in which an individual progresses through external and internal difficulties, developing as a person. What are, many times, deemed symptoms of mental disorder may be signs of personal growth.
Partial disintegration involves only one aspect of the psychic structure, that is, a narrow part of the personality.
Global disintegration occurs in major life experiences which are shocking; it disturbs the entire psychic structure of an individual and changes the personality. Permanent disintegration is found in severe, chronic diseases, somatic as well as psychic, and in major physical disabilities such as deafness and paraplegia, whereas temporary disintegration occurs in passing periods of mental and somatic disequilibrium. Disintegration is described as positive when it enriches life, enlarges the horizon, and brings forth creativity; it is negative when it either has no developmental effects or causes involution.
Under the influence of positive disintegration, will and intelligence are separated from each other and become independent of basic impulses. This process causes the will to become more "free" and the intelligence to change from a blind instrument in the service of impulses to a major force helping the individual to seize life deeply, wholly, and objectively. In the further development of personality, intelligence and will are again unified in structure, but at a higher level.
PRIMITIVE INTEGRATION TYPE—doesn’t have crises.
Sheep/follower. Does not question status quo or authority. No serious growth of ideas or personality.
The state of primary integration is a state contrary to mental health. A fairly high degree of primary integration is present in the average person; a very high degree of primary integration is present in the psychopath. The more cohesive the structure of primary integration, the less the possibility of development; the greater the strength of automatic functioning, stereotypy, and habitual activity, the lower the level of mental health. … The absence of the development of personality means the absence of mental health.
POSITIVE DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises, solves them and comes out stronger and more mature.
High level of anxiety but also of growth and maturity. Struggles with values, worldviews, authority. Experiences multilevel disintegration and achieves positive secondary integration.
The process of mental disintegration in an individual leads to symptoms of multilevel disintegration. This results in disruption within the internal environment, in the rise of a sense of "object-subject," in the growth of an awareness of higher and lower levels in the hierarchy of one's values, and in the development of an attitude of prospection and retrospection. All these contribute to the movement of the disposing and directing center to a higher level, to the emergence of the third factor, and to the development of a personality ideal. The activity of the third factor enables the individual to see more clearly his personal ideal, which, as it becomes more distinct, has greater influence on the development of the personality. Under these conditions the individual becomes more cohesive in the area of his values and more socially sensitive and alterocentric, at the same time retaining his unique individual qualities. This situation leads to a high level of mental health.
CHRONIC DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises but doesn’t really solve them or come out a better person.
Experiences disintegration but fails to achieve secondary integration.
PATHOLOGICAL DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises, doesn’t solve them and becomes insane.
In this type of development there is negative disintegration: a decrease of consciousness and an increase of destructive processes with a tendency toward involution of the total personality, as in the chronic organic psychoses and the chronic schizophrenic psychoses. The psychic structure gradually fragments, the sphere of consciousness diminishes, and there is a loss of creative capacities.
Partial disintegration involves only one aspect of the psychic structure, that is, a narrow part of the personality.
Global disintegration occurs in major life experiences which are shocking; it disturbs the entire psychic structure of an individual and changes the personality. Permanent disintegration is found in severe, chronic diseases, somatic as well as psychic, and in major physical disabilities such as deafness and paraplegia, whereas temporary disintegration occurs in passing periods of mental and somatic disequilibrium. Disintegration is described as positive when it enriches life, enlarges the horizon, and brings forth creativity; it is negative when it either has no developmental effects or causes involution.
Under the influence of positive disintegration, will and intelligence are separated from each other and become independent of basic impulses. This process causes the will to become more "free" and the intelligence to change from a blind instrument in the service of impulses to a major force helping the individual to seize life deeply, wholly, and objectively. In the further development of personality, intelligence and will are again unified in structure, but at a higher level.
PRIMITIVE INTEGRATION TYPE—doesn’t have crises.
Sheep/follower. Does not question status quo or authority. No serious growth of ideas or personality.
The state of primary integration is a state contrary to mental health. A fairly high degree of primary integration is present in the average person; a very high degree of primary integration is present in the psychopath. The more cohesive the structure of primary integration, the less the possibility of development; the greater the strength of automatic functioning, stereotypy, and habitual activity, the lower the level of mental health. … The absence of the development of personality means the absence of mental health.
POSITIVE DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises, solves them and comes out stronger and more mature.
High level of anxiety but also of growth and maturity. Struggles with values, worldviews, authority. Experiences multilevel disintegration and achieves positive secondary integration.
The process of mental disintegration in an individual leads to symptoms of multilevel disintegration. This results in disruption within the internal environment, in the rise of a sense of "object-subject," in the growth of an awareness of higher and lower levels in the hierarchy of one's values, and in the development of an attitude of prospection and retrospection. All these contribute to the movement of the disposing and directing center to a higher level, to the emergence of the third factor, and to the development of a personality ideal. The activity of the third factor enables the individual to see more clearly his personal ideal, which, as it becomes more distinct, has greater influence on the development of the personality. Under these conditions the individual becomes more cohesive in the area of his values and more socially sensitive and alterocentric, at the same time retaining his unique individual qualities. This situation leads to a high level of mental health.
CHRONIC DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises but doesn’t really solve them or come out a better person.
Experiences disintegration but fails to achieve secondary integration.
PATHOLOGICAL DISINTEGRATION TYPE—has crises, doesn’t solve them and becomes insane.
In this type of development there is negative disintegration: a decrease of consciousness and an increase of destructive processes with a tendency toward involution of the total personality, as in the chronic organic psychoses and the chronic schizophrenic psychoses. The psychic structure gradually fragments, the sphere of consciousness diminishes, and there is a loss of creative capacities.
September 17, 2021
Dabrowski's insights offer inspired consideration of psychological disintegration as a positive, though intense, stage of personality development~ especially for those who are creative and imaginative. This is a wonderful theory which challenges the more prevalent Freudian view that such disintegration is simply evidence of psychological neurosis. Dabrowski suggests that in fact, creative types may experience repeated bouts of personality disintegration, through which they are able to free themselves from stifling patterns of thought and behavior to "refresh" more expansive possibilities for living. I think this is a helpful book for those who may struggle with intense emotion and despair as they go through these difficult developmental challenges in the course of creative "rebirth".
March 29, 2023
tl;dr
Creative smart people are more prone to depression and anxiety.
--
Interesting ideas, I was recommended this book by a friend on Discord. I'm surprised Positive Disintegration isn't spoken about more often.
I have seen autopsychotherapy firsthand, and I would argue reading Carl Jung is a form of autopsychotherapy. I had to ask GPT4 to confirm this, but, I swear it was mentioned but I might be wrong. Traumatic Arrest, a psychological term in which a person experiences a traumatic event and begins someone to stop forming maturity. Essentially staying the same age when they become older. When Kazimierz talks about "children", I think it can be seen as anyone who has YET to develop.
Definitely will reread at some point, but, great ideas.
Creative smart people are more prone to depression and anxiety.
--
Interesting ideas, I was recommended this book by a friend on Discord. I'm surprised Positive Disintegration isn't spoken about more often.
I have seen autopsychotherapy firsthand, and I would argue reading Carl Jung is a form of autopsychotherapy. I had to ask GPT4 to confirm this, but, I swear it was mentioned but I might be wrong. Traumatic Arrest, a psychological term in which a person experiences a traumatic event and begins someone to stop forming maturity. Essentially staying the same age when they become older. When Kazimierz talks about "children", I think it can be seen as anyone who has YET to develop.
Definitely will reread at some point, but, great ideas.
March 17, 2025
This short book is a distillation of his work on that theory of his.
I am surprised as many ideas, without mentioning his name, were adopted by others in the popular culture of today. They probably don't even know about him.
If you think about it, he normalizes many of us and seeks a way out to integrate us all, without labeling or classification, without segregation.
The idea that stress makes you a different person and rebuilds you in some way isn't new but no one has shown it in such a positive light before. Well, maybe except for selected stoics who intuitively came across that thought.
Marvelous.
The best book of 2025 for me so far.
Hard to read though, I have read it in Polish.
I am surprised as many ideas, without mentioning his name, were adopted by others in the popular culture of today. They probably don't even know about him.
If you think about it, he normalizes many of us and seeks a way out to integrate us all, without labeling or classification, without segregation.
The idea that stress makes you a different person and rebuilds you in some way isn't new but no one has shown it in such a positive light before. Well, maybe except for selected stoics who intuitively came across that thought.
Marvelous.
The best book of 2025 for me so far.
Hard to read though, I have read it in Polish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2021
I read about Dabrowski's theory in several articles for popular consumption and I was keen to learn more.
I could not carry myself past the first half of the book, so my review should be taken with more than a pinch of salt.
I believe that the contents in the book make sense for a psychology/psychiatry scholar, but not for a layperson like me - at least this is my experience.
The register is entirely academic, which, as a former academic myself I do not mind, but seldom I found the theory substantiated/explained by examples. This represented a major roadblock for me. Maybe I am simply not the intended audience.
I could not carry myself past the first half of the book, so my review should be taken with more than a pinch of salt.
I believe that the contents in the book make sense for a psychology/psychiatry scholar, but not for a layperson like me - at least this is my experience.
The register is entirely academic, which, as a former academic myself I do not mind, but seldom I found the theory substantiated/explained by examples. This represented a major roadblock for me. Maybe I am simply not the intended audience.
October 7, 2017
Dąbrowski's arcane and archaich theory of how to consider trauma, asymmetrical development and personality growth needs to be read by every treating mental health professional. There are clear examples of instances when no psychopathologising is the best therapy and ownership of the patient of their journey to match Nietzsche's, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” A book I will be definitely re-reading, though I might skip the foreword where there is too much effort to summarize and interpret the book for the reader.
July 17, 2025
Short but practical, this book immediately changed my outlook on what we call burnouts and break-downs, which are normally treated by "chemical compassion", by showing why these stages precede anyone's reconstruction. This made sense to me. It also resonated with my experience when I first took up running, went through a physical breakdown phase, and rebuilt into a stronger runner. The body's weaker fibers break down and give way to stronger ones. The same holds true for the mind's fibers. Mental stress, if we take in the positive spirit, can strengthen our mind for a higher stress.
April 20, 2019
Worth a read for anyone struggling through a rough patch and looking to find meaning in the suffering and emerge to a higher self. However, to me seems like Dabrowski could have been romanticizing aspects of his own personality disorder which may not have had an official diagnosis at the time he was writing.
July 6, 2021
The psychology theory of Positive Disintegration, that is recognizing anxiety points in your life and allowing your mind to disassociate from those experiences as negative and use them for positive.
A very drawn out and technical account from a layman's perspective.
A very drawn out and technical account from a layman's perspective.
April 15, 2024
Very underwhelming, this book had a lot of ableism throughout. I do recognize this was written almost 50 years ago at this point. However, if you are looking to read this for modern day contacts, please don’t. This is more of a historic document than anything else.
February 24, 2021
Very concise, leaves me hungry for more. The theory in itself is al the very least extremely interesting.
September 18, 2021
This book is pretty dry and clinical, but it’s still excellent because Dabrowski’s theory is so insightful and important.
March 23, 2022
poorly written, interesting material despite this
April 22, 2022
Too repetitive. Apply 80/20 principle.
June 16, 2022
Concise and to the point, Dabrowski lays out his theory from several perspectives and with clear examples. Still timely today, or possibly even more so than in his day and age.
November 22, 2020
The theory is built reasonably and with example. It discusses how most of what is considered mental illness is simply part, a healthy one that is, of human development. The book suffers from some repitition and some concepts that feel incomplete and vague.
September 16, 2018
Quite an interesting read. A bit outdated, not the sexiest of writing, but interesting ideas. The main one being that positive disintegration is not to be seen as a pathological condition (as Western medicine tends to do), but as a necessary prerequisite for further personal and emotional development. So the positive desintegration eventually leads to a higher form of integration than before. So it can be seen as quite an emancipating and empowering read for people with cptsd for example, but also for the gifted for whom it may be hard to find their own specific brand of belonging in this world.
August 13, 2017
I want to rate this more than 5 stars for the theory and less for the actual book, which spends too much time repeating the obvious and not enough exploring the possibilities of the theory.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews