Synopsis:
In this insightful book, the author vividly takes the reader inside the minds of people who are paranoid: experiencing delusions of persecution ranging from thinking others are out to get them to falsely believing they have physical illness. Kantor also explains to us other facets of the Paranoid Personality, including suspiciousness, hypersensitivity, extreme vigilance, simmering anger, and a tendency to blame others for and absolve oneself of almost everything. How does such paranoia affect one's life? Whether one is a paranoiac wanting to recover from the emotional disorder, or a person looking for the best way to deal with a paranoid husband, wife, friend, boss, or acquaintance, this book offers understanding and guidance. As Kantor explains, the term paranoid should not be used as a hurtful epithet. Paranoid individuals are no more or less evil than persons with any other emotional disorder, or for that matter, persons with a physical disorder. Paranoia is a disorder of the mind, not a flaw of character, says Kantor. Paranoid individuals are not invariably social misfits. They are found in all walks of life and in all professions, suffering from this disorder that distorts behavior and affects those with whom they come in contact, often in devastating ways. Politicians who write attack ads, spouses who beat or kill their partners, people in road or supermarket rage incidents are all among the possibly paranoid, as are students who perpetrate violence at their schools and fired employees who wreak violence at their former workplaces. Recognizing and treating paranoid behaviors can prevent or reduce antisocial activity and violence against individuals and society.
Review:
As a psychological disorder, paranoia is oddly dualistic: psychiatrists and psychologists rely on technical definitions for the mental malady and laypeople have a socially agreed on sense of it. Readers will see both sides well represented here....This volume will be most useful for professionals, though faculty and students will appreciate the rich examples. Recommended. Professionals, general readers, and comprehensive academic collections. - Choice
"Kantor assimilates existing texts and states his own views both firmly and without pretension, an excellent model for teaching and therapy....Nonprofessional readers will gain an understanding of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral diagnosis and treatment, along with clarification of various syndromes that mimic or disguise paranoia. Patients, family members, co-workers, and friends will benefit from practical advice illustrated with well-chosen examples. A unique treatment; highly recommended for all psychology collections and larger general libraries." - Library Journal, Starred Review
^IUnderstanding Paranoia^R is a collection of narrative accounts and therapeutic indications for paranoia. It is a good introduction for people who want information about this disease. It contains excellent descriptions and categorizations of what delusions generally are. It is a profitable psychological and clinical essay for therapists and paranoids themselves. - Metapsychology
[T]his book is an important and useful work. It may be particularly beneficial to laypersons seeking to understand paranoid behavior and learn more about potential causes and treatments. It will also be helpful for clinicians who are relatively new to working with paranoid individuals....[t]his book is a valuable guide to several aspects of paranoia, and will likely be helpful to many clinicians sufferers, and family members. - The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Takes the reader inside the minds of people who are paranoid-experiencing delusions of persecution ranging from thinking others are out to get them to falsely believing they have physical illnesses. - Foreword
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