Narcissism: A Contemporary Introduction provides a historical overview of this key foundational concept within psychoanalytic thought.
Richard Wood offers a critical overview of the theoretical landscape that characterises the understanding of narcissism, referring to the work of Fromm, Rosenfeld, Kernberg and Kohut, among others. He delineates and investigates three key forms of narcissism: severe, pathological narcissism that can result in extreme human suffering; narcissism that falls within the spectrum of Narcissistic Personality Disorder; and healthy forms of narcissism that are essential to successful personal, cultural and creative development.
Using clinical examples throughout, Wood aids psychoanalysts and psychologists in training and practice in recognising, evaluating and treating patients with narcissistic personality traits. His thorough and jargon-free approach will also support students looking for a comprehensive overview of narcissism.
1.A Confusing and Elusive Concept 2.Thick Skinned or Grandiose Narcissism (GN) and Thin-Skinned or Vulnerable Narcissism (VN) 3.Clinical Examples of GN and VN 4.Alternative Conceptions of the VN/GN Relationship 5.Additional Clinical Examples 6.Relationship Between Self and Other 7. Narcissism as a Defense Brief Considerations of Etiology
Biography
Richard Wood is a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario, Canada. He is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Psychologists in Disability Assessment (CAPDA) and is the author of A Study of Malignant Narcissism: Personal and Professional Insights (2022).
“This latest of Richard Wood’s books on narcissism promises to be his masterpiece. For a small book it is one of the most comprehensive and engaging reviews of narcissism that I have read. Wood has covered most of the authoritative contributors to the study of narcissism, and I would think that this book would be the go to book for psychiatric residents, psychoanalytic candidates, and even the journalistic world.. Congratulations on a fine piece of work.”
David Ray Freebury, MB Ch FICPC DLFAPA, Training and supervising analyst, Canadian and Toronto psychoanalytic societies
“Richard Wood leads us into the complex, sometimes confusing, world of narcissism. Summarizing seminal contributions, he weighs in on seemingly contradictory elements, providing useful reflections. He relates these matters to his experience with narcissistic patients and parents, with thought-provoking things to say about relationships narcissists and those who suffered narcissistic parenting attempt to establish. These ideas will stimulate readers not only with respect to patients but also regarding clinical theory and the wider sociopolitical world (e.g., relationships between grandiose narcissistic leaders and their supporters).”
Brent Willock, author, Comparative-Integrative Psychoanalysis
“Dr. Wood’s latest book is an exceptional integration of clinical research, theory and practice on the subject and treatment of Narcissism in its various forms. What emerges is a ground-breaking model through which this condition can best be understood and more completely recognized.
Dr. Wood acknowledges the work of his co-navigators and renders a great service by articulating their insights … untangling the cross-threads of past and present clinical experience. The dynamics of narcissism have never been so compellingly described.”
Tim Gilmor, Ph.D., specializing in personality/clinical psychology
