Revenge: Narcissistic Injury, Rage, and Retaliation

by Salman Akhtar professor of psychiatry, (Editor), Henri Parens MD, professor of Psychiat (Editor), April E. Fallon Faculty Member, Fielding Graduate University; Associate Professor of Psychi (Contribution by), Frederick Fisher (Contribution by), Daniel M.A. Freeman (Contribution by)

Overview

Revenge: Narcissistic Injury, Rage, and Retaliation addresses the ubiquitous human wish to take revenge and settle scores. Featuring the contributions of eleven distinguished mental health professionals, it offers a panoramic and yet deep perspective on the real or imagined narcissistic injury that often underlies fantasies of revenge and the behavioral trait of vindictiveness. It describes various types of revenge and introduces the concept of a ‘good-enough revenge.’ Deftly blending psychoanalysis, ethology, religious studies, literary criticism, and clinical experience, the book goes a long way to enhance empathy with patients struggling with hurt, pain, and desires to get even with their tormentors. This volume is of great clinical value indeed!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442256903
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/15/2015
Series:	Margaret S. Mahler
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Salman Akhtar, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College. He is also a training and supervising analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.

Henri Parens, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College. He is also a training and supervising analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Revenge: An Overview
Salman Akhtar, MD

Chapter 2: Green Wounds: Revenge as Preserver of the Self
Kerry Kelly Novick, AB, BA

Chapter 3: Revenge and Reparation: Thoughts About the Treatment of a Boy and His Family
Barbara Shapiro, MD

Chapter 4: ‘As the Twig is Bent, So Grows the Tree’: Reparation, Rage, and Resynthesis
Daniel M.A. Freeman, MD

Chapter 5: Revenge and Reparation: Loss and Restitution
Frederick Fisher, MD

Chapter 6: The Spectrum of Narcissistic Transferences
Otto Kernberg, MD

Chapter 7: Cautionary Tales: A Private Practitioner’s Experience Treating Severe Narcissistic Pathology
Melvin Singer, MD

Chapter 8: Three Literary Characters in Search of Revenge
Eve Holwell, BA

Chapter 9: The Ubiquitous Nature of Revenge: Biopsychocultural Perspectives
Rao Gogenini, MD, and April Fallon, PhD

Chapter 10: Narcissism, Rage, and Revenge: Concluding Commentary
Henri Parens, MD

Addendum
References
Index
About the Editors and Contributors

Editorial Reviews

The cycle of humiliation, revenge, and counter-revenge is a central paradigm which plagues our species. Finally there is a fascinating study of this all too human phenomenon which draws on the insights of child development, psychoanalytic experience, great literature, and biological considerations. Written by premier clinicians and theoreticians, this book is both very rich in ideas and is very readable. Therapists at all levels of experience will learn much from this text and become more able to address these issues in treatment.

Ira Brenner

Revenge is a ubiquitous human emotional experience, frequently fantasized, sometimes enacted, and yet it is all too rarely examined in depth. This book explores the relationship of revenge with narcissistic injury, rage, and retaliation. Sandwiched between an extensive overview of the topic by Akhtar and a critical examination of theories of aggression with case examples by Parens are eight excellent papers that range from relevant clinical case reports to literary and biopsychocultural perspectives. Indeed, as these contributors underline, the feeling of revenge can be either an adaptive response or pathological especially when enacted. Readers will gain in knowledge and therapeutic skills by delving into this stimulating and very worthwhile book.

Mary Kay O'Neil

Revenge is a ubiquitous human emotional experience, frequently fantasized, sometimes enacted, and yet it is all too rarely examined in depth. This book explores the relationship of revenge with narcissistic injury, rage, and retaliation. Sandwiched between an extensive overview of the topic by Akhtar and a critical examination of theories of aggression with case examples by Parens are eight excellent papers that range from relevant clinical case reports to literary and biopsychocultural perspectives. Indeed, as these contributors underline, the feeling of revenge can be either an adaptive response or pathological especially when enacted. Readers will gain in knowledge and therapeutic skills by delving into this stimulating and very worthwhile book.


The cycle of humiliation, revenge, and counter-revenge is a central paradigm which plagues our species. Finally there is a fascinating study of this all too human phenomenon which draws on the insights of child development, psychoanalytic experience, great literature, and biological considerations. Written by premier clinicians and theoreticians, this book is both very rich in ideas and is very readable. Therapists at all levels of experience will learn much from this text and become more able to address these issues in treatment.

From the Publisher