Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: An easy to read psychology book for anyone who wants to understand painful relationships. Eleanor's book is clear and exact in connecting with the confusion and pain of being in relationship with a narcissist. As a child of a narcissistic parent, I was shocked to read my unhealthy patterns in Eleanor's book. Through this book, I have been able to begin to set the boundaries needed for healthier and more enjoyable relationships.
Rating:
Summary: This book helped me understand so much.
Review: As a 48 year old guy who has been working his way out of narcissistic codependence for about 15 years, this book clarified several issues I wasn't even aware of. Specifically, Ms. Payson deals squarely with the lack of self-esteem that a narcissist will imbue in a codependent's life. (The narcissist says, "I'm OK, you've got a long way to go and you'll never get there anyway.) Another thing is the insidious, clandestine way in which NPD's work their sordid magic. An NPD is someone with narcissistic personality disorder. The author goes through a 9 item list of the pitfalls and traps that keep a codependent codependent. Ms. Payson also explains in depth how being in a relationship with an NPD can happen in your love life, your work life, and your family life. Often these adult situations are a reliving of the same type of relationship from one's childhood. So much is clearer now and I feel much steadfast in my resolve to overcome this disorder. I have reassessed many of my friendships and old situations only to realize that I was unwittingly reliving my past.
Mrs. Payson's language is clear, warm-hearted, and exact. She uses examples based on experiences of clients from her practice. All in all, I highly recommend this book to those who suffer from narcissistic co-dependence and those who know someone who does.
Rating:
Summary: This book helped me understand so much.
Review: As a 48 year old guy who has been working his way out of narcissistic codependence for about 15 years, this book clarified several issues I wasn't even aware of. Specifically, Ms. Payson deals squarely with the lack of self-esteem that a narcissist will imbue in a codependent's life. (The narcissist says, "I'm OK, you've got a long way to go and you'll never get there anyway.) Another thing is the insidious, clandestine way in which NPD's work their sordid magic. An NPD is someone with narcissistic personality disorder. The author goes through a 9 item list of the pitfalls and traps that keep a codependent codependent. Ms. Payson also explains in depth how being in a relationship with an NPD can happen in your love life, your work life, and your family life. Often these adult situations are a reliving of the same type of relationship from one's childhood. So much is clearer now and I feel much steadfast in my resolve to overcome this disorder. I have reassessed many of my friendships and old situations only to realize that I was unwittingly reliving my past.
Mrs. Payson's language is clear, warm-hearted, and exact. She uses examples based on experiences of clients from her practice. All in all, I highly recommend this book to those who suffer from narcissistic co-dependence and those who know someone who does.
Rating:
Summary: An instrument of healing and insight...
Review: Eleanor Payson's book gave language to what I experienced while in a friendship with a covert narcissist. Often being reminded of my faults and failings, named as hardhearted and mean-spirited, I one day realized that no other person in my life accused me of these traits. Ms. Payson's book was given to me at a time just past my walking away from the friendship, and - while still grieving - I have been able to begin to recapture my true self, heart, and spirit. This book was an instrument of healing and insight into the pattern of my friendship. It provided practical wisdom regarding healthier boundary setting and relationship building. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling that they, too, "are losing" or "have lost themselves" in a relationship of any kind.
Rating:
Summary: The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists
Review: I began reading this book on the recommendation of a friend and I wish that this book had existed several years ago...but I am grateful that Eleanor Payson did not wait to write it several years from now. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing skills and found her to be not only very knowledgeable but also able to convey her knowledge to the reader. I believe that my life choices will be greatly enhanced from reading this book and look forward to reading any other books she may write.
Rating:
Summary: Save yourself hours of therapy
Review: I just read the book on the The Wizard of Oz and other Narcissists, words can not describe how this book has deeply touched and reflected to me my own life !!!! The writing is exquisite and the way the author balances/explains this dance of both the narcissist and the codependent is incredible !!! I really can't thank her enough, I happened to come across the book on Amazon.com. by accident. The title caught my eye as the Wizard of OZ was my favorite movie as a child.I am the codependent in a marriage and as I try to untangle myself from this relationship I will use the book often to remind me of the dance I'm in. I will highly recommend without any reservation this book to friends/therapists etc. as it's one of the best I've read!! I've read hundreds of self help books, well, maybe even thousands over the years. This book is one I won't be able to lend to anyone!!! I'll have to get a second copy !!!
Rating:
Summary: Exquisite !!!
Review: I just read the book on the The Wizard of Oz and other Narcissists, words can not describe how this book has deeply touched and reflected to me my own life !!!! The writing is exquisite and the way the author balances/explains this dance of both the narcissist and the codependent is incredible !!! I really can't thank her enough, I happened to come across the book on Amazon.com. by accident. The title caught my eye as the Wizard of OZ was my favorite movie as a child. I am the codependent in a marriage and as I try to untangle myself from this relationship I will use the book often to remind me of the dance I'm in. I will highly recommend without any reservation this book to friends/therapists etc. as it's one of the best I've read!! I've read hundreds of self help books, well, maybe even thousands over the years. This book is one I won't be able to lend to anyone!!! I'll have to get a second copy !!!
Rating:
Summary: Oh, so on target!
Review: I ordered this book shortly after I had left my 21 years marriage with my narcissist husband. It was such a relief to read that it wasn't my imagination or that it was all my fault as I was always told. The emotional abuse I had left behind had dulled my senses and my mind. I had spend 21 years trying to duct tape our marriage and those in these relationships find that they receive only devaluation, criticism, denial of any responsibility for any wrongdoing; I could go on forever. It was as if Payson was writing about my relationshiip. Incredibly insightful and so helpful. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Contribution
Review: Ms. Payson's book is an important contribution to the subject of narcissism. Like the movie "The Wizard of Oz", this book has many rich levels that begs the reader to return for additional readings, something I plan to do. "The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists" pulls together the various players in the world of the narcissist- the spouse, friend, co-worker, child...and explains the interactions between them, offering insights and suggestions for living a more healthy life. I was especially appreciative of the information gleaned by her discussion of the codependent in the narcissist's life. It's rare to find psychology books that are written well enough to be helpful to both professionals and non-professionals.
This one succeeds. Terry Matlen, ACSW
addconsults.com
Rating:
Summary: An Important Contribution
Review: Ms. Payson's book is an important contribution to the subject of narcissism. Like the movie "The Wizard of Oz", this book has many rich levels that begs the reader to return for additional readings, something I plan to do. "The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists" pulls together the various players in the world of the narcissist- the spouse, friend, co-worker, child...and explains the interactions between them, offering insights and suggestions for living a more healthy life. I was especially appreciative of the information gleaned by her discussion of the codependent in the narcissist's life. It's rare to find psychology books that are written well enough to be helpful to both professionals and non-professionals.
This one succeeds. Terry Matlen, ACSW
addconsults.com
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