Difficult Personalities: A Practical Guide to Managing the Hurtful Behavior of Others (and Maybe Your Own) - Softcover

Edwards, Hazel; Mcgrath, Helen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1615190139 ISBN 13: 9781615190133

Publisher: The Experiment, 2010

Synopsis

An indispensable guide to understanding―and living or working with―people whose behavior leaves you frustrated and confused

We all have people in our lives who frustrate, annoy, or hurt us: workplace bullies, those who always claim to be right, or those with anxious or obsessive personalities. And most of us hurt others occasionally, too. Now, authors Dr. Helen McGrath, a clinical psychologist and professor, and Hazel Edwards, a professional writer, offer this highly readable, extremely practical guide to dealing with the difficult personalities we encounter every day―in others, and in ourselves.

Taking the American Psychiatric Association's widely used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as its starting point, Difficult Personalities helpfully outlines over a dozen different personality traits and types, detailing their common characteristics and underlying motivations. It also equips readers with numerous strategies for dealing with difficult behavior, including:

• Anger and conflict management
• Optimism and assertion training
• Rational and empathic thinking
• Reexamining your own personality.

Readers will also benefit from sections on making difficult decisions and maintaining romantic relationships. Perfect for anyone who has ever wished that other people came with a handbook, Difficult Personalities illuminates the personality differences that so often serve as barriers to cooperation in the workplace and harmony at home.

About this title

About the Author

Helen McGrath completed her undergraduate degree and Diploma of Education at the University of Sydney and her Masters degree and Ph.D at Monash University. She is currently an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at RMIT University as well as a part-time senior lecturer in the School of Education at Deakin University. She also has a small private psychology practice in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Helen is a leading psychologist and educator with a particular interest and expertise in mental health, social skills and relationships. She is the author or co-author of 22 books for educators, psychologists and the general community.

Hazel Edwards OAM has published over 200 books but is best known for her classic picture book series  'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake'  now touring internationally  as the musical 'Hippo Hippo'. Her adult non fiction includes 'Writing a Non Boring Family History', 'Authorpreneurship;the Business of Creativity', Antarctic Writer on Ice'  and titles co-written with Dr Helen Mc Grath including 'Friends' and 'Creative Kalideoscope'.

Reviews

What do you get when a clinical psychologist (McGrath) and an experienced author of adult and children's literature (Edwards) team up to write a handbook for dealing with troublesome people at work or in one's personal life? You get a no-frills resource that is both easy to understand and highly informative. As with many such manuals, it's not necessary to read cover to cover (especially when the book's only shortcoming is its slightly repetitive tips and strategies) but, rather, to read the chapter about whichever personality causes stress in your life, from the anxious to the passive-aggressive, bullies, and narcissists. Whether the problem person is a chronic complainer, a fount of insults, or a perpetual martyr, you are guaranteed to find in-depth analysis, including what they do, why they do it, and strategies to help cope with that person in a positive, healthy way. The authors also have advice for people who recognize bothersome traits in themselves. McGrath and Edwards have avoided scientific jargon and created a handbook people can put to use immediately. There's nothing difficult about this book, except for the subject it gracefully explicates. (Mar.)
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Edition details

• Publisher: The Experiment
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1615190139
• ISBN 13: 9781615190133
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304