Narcissism and Its Discontents

Diagnostic Dilemmas and Treatment Strategies With Narcissistic Patients

By (author) Glen O. Gabbard MD, Holly Crisp-Han MD

Not available to order

Publication date:

30 March 2018

Length of book:

173 pages

Publisher

American Psychiatric Association Publishing

ISBN-13: 9781615371938

The definition of narcissism can be a moving target. Is it an excess of self-love? Profound insecurity? Low self-esteem? Too much self-esteem? Because of the multifaceted nature of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), treating this disorder presents clinicians with a range of wholly unique challenges.

Narcissism and Its Discontents recognizes the variable nature of NPD and provides a template for adjusting treatment to the patient rather than shoehorning the patient into a manualized treatment that may prove to be less effectual.

This guide offers clinicians strategies, including transference and countertransference, to deal with the complex situations that often arise when treating narcissistic patients, among them, patient entitlement, disengagement, and envy. The authors provide a skillful integration of research and psychoanalytic theory while also addressing psychotherapeutic strategies that are less intensive but also useful -- being cognizant of the fact that a majority of patients do not have access to psychoanalysis proper.

A chapter on the cultural aspects of narcissism addresses the recent societal fascination with NPD in the discourse on politics and celebrity, particularly in the age of social media. Regardless of the treatment setting -- psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, partial hospital, or inpatient -- clinicians will find a wealth of approaches to treating a diverse and challenging patient population in Narcissism and Its Discontents.

Gabbard and Crisp have written an "every person" book, that can be read by sophisticated lay readers, academics and psychotherapists. It is a tour de force guideline for tailoring the treatment of narcissism to the patient--from the first phone call request for treatment to its termination. This book is a must read, and an especially clear and delightful one.�