A Study of Malignant Narcissism
Personal and Professional Insights
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:28th Jul '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£31.99(9781032160597)
A Study of Malignant Narcissism offers a unique insight into malignant narcissism, exploring both its personal and professional aspects and constructing a theoretical framework that renders its origins and manifestations more accessible.
With reference to his own family dynamic and to 45 years of professional experience, Richard Wood explores the psychology of malignant narcissism, positing it as a defence against love. The book first offers an overview of existing literature before examining relevant clinical material, including an analysis of Wood’s relationships with his own parents. Wood presents vignettes illustrating the core dynamics that drive narcissism, illustrated with sections of his father’s unpublished autobiography and with his patient work. The book makes the case for malignant narcissism to be considered a subtype of psychopathy and puts forth a framework setting out the key dynamics that typify these individuals, including consideration of the ways in which malignant narcissism replicates itself in varied forms. Finally, Wood examines the impact of narcissistic leadership and compares his theoretical position with those of other clinicians.
This book will be of interest to clinical psychologists, psychoanalysts, and psychotherapists, as well as all professionals working with narcissistic patients.
‘A Study of Malignant Narcissism is an essential contribution to the growing literature on dangerous personalities and the destruction they cause. Courageous, searingly honest, and deeply moving … A rare combination of compelling biography and crucial work of science, this is essential reading for our disordered times. An invaluable work of wisdom and experience.’
Ian Hughes, Senior Research Fellow, MaREI Centre at University College Cork, Ireland
‘This fine book offers a marvellous combination of often hair-raising raw experience with thoughtful, illuminating reflection and insightful commentary. Dr Wood throws much needed light on character formation and function, defensive deformation of personality, … and resilience. This is a courageous, timely, well written, important book.’
Dr Brent Willock, Founding President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Analysis, Canada
‘With superb prose, Dr. Wood provides a scholarly and informative description of the characteristics and behaviors of individuals with narcissistic personalities … For anyone wanting to learn about psychopathy and malignant narcissism, and how this knowledge might apply to autocratic leaders, this is the book to read.’
Graeme J. Taylor, MD, FRCPC, Psychoanalytic Fellow of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry and Professor University of Toronto, Canada
'Richard Wood writes "Though we may think of ourselves as mostly intrepid explorers of our psyches, many of us continue to find a trip through our own interiors to be a very aversive and dangerous endeavor" (p. 189). Yet in A Study of Malignant Narcissism: Personal and Professional Insights, he does just that, traveling into his fears, becoming an intrepid explorer of his psyche, and inviting the reader to do the same. Through deeply personal experiences, he explores the professional, academic, and political manifestations of malignant narcissism, calling this psychological disorder "the most destructive form of human personality." His multidetermined knowledge of malignant narcissism offers a comprehensive overview useful to both mental health professionals and society at large at this fragile time in our history.' - Ona Lindquist, Clio's Psyche
ISBN: 9781032160580
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 453g
228 pages