Wounded Monster: Hitler's Path from Trauma to Malevolence

by Theo L. Dorpat

Few authors who have written about Hitler have understood the deeply damaging effects of psychic trauma on his private life and the way he functioned in the public sphere. Nearly all major biographers have neglected the importance of Hitler's childhood trauma and his later combat trauma during World War I. In Wounded Monster, Theo Dorpat demonstrates how extreme emotional and physical abuse from his father, and his unusually long combat service during the Great War became the most formative influences of his life, resulting in severe psychiatric disorders. This psychiatric biography of Hitler discusses the central importance of his vulnerability to shame emotions, as well as the trauma-induced construction of an extensive repertoire of mainly unconscious mechanisms for the avoidance of feelings of shame. Dorpat provides deep insights into Hitler's shame vulnerability as a prime cause of his suicidal behavior, including his suicide threats, two failed suicide attempts, and his final completed suicide. This work will assist those attempting to explain Hitler and his actions, through an examination of the influences that shaped his psyche.

368 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

Theo L. Dorpat is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Washington School of Medicine.

Reviews

[Tamara Kharabora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting. Dwelling more into Hitler's young life and his upbringing, one can see why he did what he did. That of course in no way excuses what he did, but its possible to see how he ended up being the person he was. Its fascinating that even though he could not express emotions or get emotionally attached, he faked it well to be able to inspire such loyalty and following from such a huge mass of people in Germany and other countries.