How to Deal with Emotionally Explosive People

by Bernstein, Albert J.

• ISBN13: 9780071385695
• ISBN10: 007138569X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-09
• Publisher: MCG

Summary

In his international bestseller, Dinosaur Brains, psychologist Albert J. Bernstein told readers how to deal with difficult people at work. Now, in a groundbreaking new book, Bernstein tackles a more serious problem that profoundly affects the lives of millions of people: walking time bombs. How do you help a friend who explodes into panic attacks? What do you say when a depressed family member bursts into tears? How do you protect yourself when a stranger blows up in your face? Too often, our choices make matters worse. But it isn't our fault. All that we feel, and much of what we hear directs us to defend the fearful, comfort the sad, and talk sense to the angry, regardless of the utter futility of these well-meaning actions. Moment to moment, people with mental disorders stand at the crossroads between getting better and getting worse. For disorders to heal, medicine, psychotherapy, the encouragement of friends, and the kindness of strangers must all point explosive people toward a single direction. People with anxiety disorders must turn and face their fear rather than running away Depressed people cannot wait to feel better to do the things that will make them feel better Angry people have to recognize that anger is something they do, not a reaction to what is done to them Reaching these goals sometimes requires stunning feats of mind over matter. In How to Deal with Emotionally Explosive People, Dr. Bernstein demonstrates, step by step, how to do them.

Author Biography

Albert Bernstein is a practicing clinical psychologist, corporate consultant, columnist, speaker and bestselling expert on difficult people. His books, Dinosaur Brains, Neanderthals at Work, Sacred Bull, and Emotional Vampires, in English and in translation into over 20 languages, have helped people around the world deal more effectively with difficult and dangerous situations. Dr. Bernstein lives with his wife and children in Portland, Oregon.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. v
Emotional Explosions	p. 1
The Blast Zone	p. 3
What's Wrong with These People?	p. 27
Explosions into Fear	p. 49
Basic Calming Technique	p. 51
Explosions into Fear	p. 65
Storming the Tower of Psychobabble	p. 93
The Psychology of Fear	p. 99
Generalized Anxiety Disorders	p. 125
Explosions into Sadness	p. 143
Explosions into Sadness	p. 145
The Psychology of Depression	p. 171
Explosions into Anger	p. 201
Explosions into Anger	p. 203
The Instinct for Anger	p. 225
The Psychology of Anger	p. 239
Where to Get Help	p. 271
Classification, Generic, and Brand Names of Psychoactive Medications	p. 285
Index	p. 287
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