This book is written for psychotherapists, psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and social workers in clinical or forensic practice. Biological foci include concepts about the deep limbic structures of the brain and the biochemistry that inhibits or disinhibits such violence. Psychological patterns include both psychoanalytic constructs and the specific psychological test data from the case studies that support such constructs. Social factors include the behavior of the victim and, in the case of assassination, the political acts that contribute to predatory violence. Dr. Meloy emphasizes the crucial need for mental health professionals to go beyond descriptive diagnoses and find the motivation and meaning of such acts. The professional’s causal and purposive formulations about such violent attachments lead to more effective evaluation, treatment, and intervention, and perhaps testimony in subsequent criminal and civil litigation. “With this superb new volume
Reid Meloy transports the reader to remote locations that lie at the extremes of human experience. At these outposts we are privy to bizarre tales that reveal the violent underpinnings of love relationships. The mental health professions are indebted to Dr. Meloy for mapping this uncharted territory and for recognizing that in studying the “outliers,” we learn more about ourselves.” Glen Gabbard, M.D. “Dr. Meloy has cast a bright light into the dark world of violent individuals and those who attach themselves to them.” Larry Strasburger, M.D. “Violent Attachments is an extremely valuable addition to the literature on aggression. Meloy has shed light on how deranged and fantasized relationships can lead to stalking, threats, and even death.” John R. Lion, M.D.
Cite
Meloy, J. R. (1997). Violent Attachments. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc.
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