Overview
With absorbing detail and deftness, Kantor gives clinical descriptions of the dynamics in this overlooked syndrome: Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder. It is a syndrome rooted in poorly suppressed, thinly disguised, and indirectly unleashed anger. This volume presents a scientifically based approach to the patient that will help him or her deal with anger in a healthier, and sometimes life-saving, way.
An eclectic approach—including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and interpersonal techniques—is used to answer the two most important questions of passive-aggression: Why is the passive-aggressive so angry? And why cannot he or she express the anger more directly? Therapists can also use this approach to help the victims of passive-aggression and minimize the suffering that occurs in relationships with these difficult people.
Synopsis
Presents cases and theories showing passive-aggression is not just a symptom but is the basis of a real, yet much-ignored, syndrome, Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder.
Booknews
Although the mere existence of Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder is a matter of some debate, psychiatrist Kantor affirms its existence and attempts to bring it into clinical focus. He outlines the disorder based on observed behavior and on insights into origins and reasons for the behavior. The effect on victims is then discussed, with a chapter on how to identify "pseudovictims." Finally, an eclectic treatment plan for passive-aggressives and victims is presented, one that focuses on here-and-now interpersonal manifestations of longstanding intrapsychic conflicts and incorporates adapted cognitive-behavioral methods. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\