Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders, Second Edition

"As someone who is avoidant co morbid with OCPD spent perhaps 40 years depressed more than not before reaching out for any professional help I would like to say especially in the chapter on avoidants the book is pretty much dead on. The chapter on avoidants is the one I can most closely relate to but I see myself in others as well my OCDP us most apparent in hoarding issues a spot my therapist and I are having a hard time pushing me through I've been working with a therapist for about a year and half now making progress even if it's slow. My therapist knows I am a person who likes to try and understand my disorders and reads as much material as I can. We have both learned a lot together she being my motivator and supporter. She has been outstanding doing her research to help develop plans of actions that have helped knock down some long standing self built walls. She likes to kid me that I could teach a graduate class in personality disorders with all the reading I have done.

To sum this up as a someone who has to deal with these issues as part of my daily life the book is right on with much of the way my thoughts/reactions are if I don't work actively to keep ahead of them to continue on my road to a happier life. And yes even as someone who came to therapy at a high functioning level in many aspects of my life I know at times I can be a frustrating client. But for me the knowledge that both my therapist and I are feeing increasing levels of frustration has been something I have been able to use to finally find the courage to knock down some long standing walls. So a special than you to those of you who choose to try and help those of us who present some special difficulties.
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~ Written on 2007-09-14

"The book came in a timely manner and arrived in new condition exactly as I ordered it. Very pleased."
~ Written on 2007-01-11

"This is a great book. For example, the chapters on obsessive compulsive and passive agressive personality give some great direction for therapy. Knowing that an obsessive person fears making mistakes, that narcissism is part of obsessionality and that a passive agressive person fears loss of autonomy can really guide treatment well.

On the other hand, the treatment of narcissistic personality disorder is weak. It just concentrates on how the patient should learn that the world does not revolve around them. It ignores the shame, need for validation and driven quality that narcissistic patients have and is reflected in their cognitions. In other words, the case used to treat NPD is of the oblivious type and in practice it is more common to see the hypervigilant type of narcisit. As CBT becomes more psychodynamic, this issue will be better addressed, I anticipate. (The oblivious narcisists are more antisocial and the vigilant ones are more on the anxiou/dependant end of the spectrum - I forget who's classification this is). "
~ Written on 2006-06-16

"Beck has done a great job describing a very pragmatic, common sense cognitive-behavioral methodology for the treatment of challenging personalities. The research he has done builds confidence in practitioners interested in and using these methods. Each personality style is well-described, and several strategies are provided for addressing these problematic dispositions. The book is very well-organized and easy to read. Assignments and case examples further add to the utility of this text."
~ Written on 2005-10-10

"I love Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy. I think he has great insight into the various personality disorders. This book is incredibly helpful. It includes all of the disorders, their way of thinking, they co-morbidity, their treatment, case studies, and more. If you want one book on the treatment of personality disorders, this is the one to get."
~ Written on 2005-02-19