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

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 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. Acclaimed children's author of over 200 titles, Hazel Edwards is best known for her popular classic There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake.

Review :
"A no-frills resource that is both easy to understand and highly informative... 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." "Gets to the heart of the matter and offers a real plan for change and coping." "Concise, well-organized advice that will help readers identify and deal more effectively with the troublesome people in their lives." "As a professional in the field of psychology, I’m impressed with Difficult Personalities’ content and useful information. It’s easy to read—both a good reference book and practical for anyone." "Comprehensive information delivered in a straightforward manner, this book is a must read for those who wish to better understand and deal with the difficult people in their lives."