Performance Addiction : The Dangerous New Syndrome and How to Stop It from Ruining Your Life

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Summary: Hope and insight for many who are driven to perform
Review: Dr Ciaramicoli speaks with clarity and compassion and makes the 'syndrome' very understandable. Using the subjects in his practice as examples, I could easily identify with aspects of their driven nature. He makes a strong statement about why we feel compelled to maintain this compulsive lifestyle. Still, it was written not to sound like some dreaded character flaw but a general trend in our society that is creeping into the fabric of our cultural belief system. He offers us hope and insight into how we can better slow down and enjoy our lives and ourselves.


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Summary: Life with Balance
Review: For a long time now I have been looking for a way to balance my life. With the constant demands I place on myself to have more, be more and to be perfct I thought I would burst. I have felt this way pretty much all my life, but have never been able to pinpoint the reason. I saw Dr. Ciaramicoli on Good Morning America and everything became clear. I ordered the book and really felt it put my life in perspective. I sincerely thank Dr. Ciaramicoli for helping me to finally live my life with balance.

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Summary: Dr. C's Perscription to Happiness for Compulsive Achievers
Review: I am an MBA grad with several years experience in the corporate world. I have been increasingly growing tired of the demands of my work, the pressure to excel in all aspects of my life and never seeming to have enough time to enjoy my children. My wife left me last year and in many ways I don't blame her. I have been wedded to the idea of success at all costs and I am paying dearly for my mistaken beliefs about what brings a person happiness and love. A friend saw Dr. Ciaramicoli give an interview about Performance Addiction and immediately thought of me and recommended the book. I was so relieved to hear of the many people in the same boat as I am. This book has changed my perspective. I have never been much for self help advice but the insights revealed by Dr. Ciaramicoli's clients describe my struggles to a tee and most importantly give me hope that there is a way out. This is an important book that all corporate execs should read. Signed, A Struggling CFO


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Summary: Powerful and Insightful
Review: I have been struggling with trying to perfect my body and get ahead all my life. In my family it was a way of life, and our society seems to support the idea that only the beautiful, wealthy people find happiness and love. I am so glad a friend in my woman's group recommended Performance Addition. I had never read anything so powerful and helpful. I had no idea that my obsession with my looks and getting ahead could be an addiction. Most importantly, I don't feel alone as every member of our woman's group scored high on the quiz in the first chapter. The quizzes throughout and the writing assignments really make you think through the false ideas we have all grown up with in this "success at all cost" society. I thank Dr. Ciaramicoli especially for the chapter on "Parenting and Performance Addiction" as it would break my heart to pass this affliction on to my daughter. The chapters on "Image Love and Your Relationships" and "The Lure of Glamour" are must reads. The stories are insightful and very real and make the book come to life with real people that I could identify with. The author's idea of sharing the answers to chapter quizzes with someone close to you took courage, but it really helped me to open up to my husband and he to me. I HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone who is struggling with trying to have a meaningful life with balance.
Signed, A Grateful Housewife From Maryland

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Summary: A Model Under Pressure
Review: I have been working as a model for 6 years. My life is extremely pressured, I am always trying to perfect my work, my body and my children seem to never accomplish the way I would. When I saw Dr. Ciaramicoli on Good Morning America, I could not believe the story told by one of his clients. She could be my sister. I got the book last night and read it through till 2am. This book is my savior, a guide to change relentless demands I place on myself and those close to me. I never realized why I have such difficulty parenting and loving. The Chapters on Image Love and Performance Addiction and Parenting make so much sense. I wish I had read this book earlier but hopefully it is not too late for me to change the course of my life. I know I drive people close to me crazy, now at least a have a map to help me to relate better and work with less intensity.

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Summary: Performance Addiction - Excellent Read
Review: I saw Dr. Ciaramicoli's interview on CNN and immediately thought he was talking about me directly. I am a young professional who has struggled, along with all my friends, to look better and better and to climb the corporate ladder at the same time. I am constantly tired and worn out, and find myself having less and less fun as time goes on. I keep trying harder to meet the standards, I thought people would respect and yet all the hard work just makes me feel exhausted, even when I succeed the good feeling only lasts for a short time. I had no idea that this trend was a new addiction in our society. I bought Performance Addiction, took the quiz in Chapter one and scored in the severe category. Every one of my friends, I have given this quiz to has scored moderate to severe. I am so thankful that someone has identified what I have been experiencing and given me a way out. I have found this book so interesting and helpful, I can relate to so many of the stories of Dr. Ciaramicoli's clients. The chapter on Image Love and Your Relationships and The Lure of Glamour gave me insights I really need to practice and the final chapter Balancing Work and Life will be my bible for a long time to come. I recommend this book to every perfectionist who wants to get off the treadmill and enjoy life.

A Corporate Executive from Boston

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Summary: An interesting book about a poorly understood subject
Review: Thias book speaks to people who rely on achievements to make them feel good and explains why they experience anxiety. It comes down to a poor sense of "self." I have read a lot of this information in other books, but I believe the author makes his points clearly and adds value on this topic.

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Summary: Extremely Worthwhile and Helpful Book
Review: This book is very helpful, and many chapters are exceptional, particularly Image Love and Relationships, Exceptional Mediocrity, Meaning and Joy, and Balancing Work and Life. The way each chapter is introduced, the use of specific human examples, the questions provided to enable the reader to explore the depth of his or her own problem, and the suggestions offered for conquering performance addiction are superb. The realistic tools provided at the end of the book to enable the reader to assess progress in conquering this addiction are most useful.

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Summary: What I have is enough -- thank you, Dr. C
Review: This book not only addresses every performance addiction I have and identifies the likely source thereof, but so completely defines and explains all these hardwired individuals I work with. In the process of reading this book, I have been able to step back from the tension and pressure at work and say to myself, "phew, I do not have to be like that....what I have is enough....what I do is enough...the love I have is enough...."