Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life

by Martinez-Lewi, Linda (Author)

• ISBN13: 9781585426249
• ISBN10: 1585426245
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-10
• Publisher: Tarcher

Summary

Combining clinical analysis with psychological profiles of famous narcissists, here is an indispensable guide to recognizing, coping with, and ultimately overcoming the destructive behavior of narcissists. Everybody needs some healthy narcissism. But in a society obsessed with appearance, wealth, and status, it's easy for problematic narcissists to thrive. Many people who seem to "have it all" are suffering from one of the most common- and overlooked-personality disorders today: high level narcissism. Typified by an obsession with perfection, a desperate need for admiration, and a willingness to use and exploit others for personal gain, high level narcissism can spell devastation for anyone who crosses the narcissist's path. In Freeing Yourself from the Narcissist in Your Life, psychotherapist Linda Martinez-Lewi presents an in-depth and supportive plan for identifying, understanding, and dealing with high level narcissistic behavior in those close to you. Martinez-Lewi helps you to liberate yourself from draining personal relationships with narcissists, and shows how to regain a sense of peace, balance, and well-being. Drawing on detailed profiles of famous narcissists, including Pablo Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright, Armand Hammer, and Ayn Rand, as well as expertly rendered case studies from her private practice as a psychotherapist, Martinez-Lewi shows how to: - understand where narcissistic behavior comes from; u learn to spot narcissistic traits, even in the early stages of relationships; - realize why attempting to change a narcissist is fruitless; and - protect yourself from the narcissist's opportunism, manipulative behavior, and lack of empathy.

Author Biography

Linda Martinez-Lewi holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Table of Contents

The Great Performer
At Center Stage: Outshining All the Others	p. 3
The Image Maker: Creating a Flawless Persona	p. 37
Behind the Perfect Mask
The Exploiter: Deceiving Cruelly	p. 51
Golden Child: Growing Up as the Very Special One	p. 77
The Well of Emptiness: Harboring Rage and Envy, Paranoia and Despair	p. 97
Hardened Heart: Treating Others Without Empathy	p. 113
The Adoring Audience
The Charmed Circle: Worshipping at the Source	p. 137
The Intimate Enemy: Living in the Shadows	p. 151
Response to the Great Performer
The Rules of Engagement: Holding Your Own with a Narcissist	p. 165
Beyond Narcissism	p. 199
Notes	p. 223
References	p. 227
Index	p. 229
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.