Books about Dysfunctional from Amazon.com

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor..
Price: $2.45 [Notify me when price goes down.]

"The Lost Boy" is the harrowing but ultimately uplifting true story of a boy's journey through the foster-care system in search of a family to love. This is Dave Pelzer's long-awaited sequel to "A Child Called "It". The Lost Boy" is Pelzer's story--a moving sequel and inspirational read for all..
Price: $3.89 [Notify me when price goes down.]

"He doesn't mean to hurt me-he just loses control "
"He can be sweet and gentle."
"He's scared me a few times, but he never hurts the children-he's a great father."
"He's had a really hard life..."

Women in abusive relationships tell themselves these things every day. Now they can see inside the minds of angry and controlling men-and change their own lives. In this groundbreaking book, a counselor shows how to improve, survive, or leave an abusive relationship, with:

€ The early warning signs
€ Nine abusive personality types
€ How to tell if an abuser can change, is changing, or ever will
€ The role of drugs and alcohol
€ What can be fixed, and what can't
€ How to leave a relationship safely.
Price: $9.13 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Every day headlines are filled with examples of narcissistic individuals in positions of power who are nothing more than impostors plundering and wrecking havoc on the lives of others. From the financial barons of Wall Street to our elected officials in government, we are confronted daily with narcissists and the self-serving systems that enable them. Helping people reclaim their lives from this sinister exploitative force is the mission behind Payson's book, The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists: Coping with the One-Way Relationship in Work, Love, and Family. Using simple metaphors from the American classic, The Wizard of Oz, Payson illustrates how Dorothy's journey captures all the seductive illusions and challenges that occur when we encounter the narcissist. Empowering the reader with the ABCs of unhealthy narcissism and the unique problems that occur when a person becomes involved with the narcissist, Payson gives step-by-step practical tools to identify, protect, and heal from these destructive relationships. Largely un-addressed in the psychology and self-help literature, this ground breaking book offers hope and help to those who have been drawn into these devastating relationships. She includes illuminating case studies that identify the problems that occur in the different types of relationships, from co-workers, to friends, to parents, to lovers. Readers employing these insights and skills will find new abilities to identify and protect against the narcissist's manipulations and take back control of their lives..
Price: $14.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Are you the child of toxic parents?

When you were a child...

• Did your parents tell you you were bad or worthless?
• Did your parents use physical pain to discipline you?
• Did you have to take care of your parents because of their problems?
• Were you often frightened of your parents?
• Did your parents do anything to you that had to be kept secret?

Now that you’re an adult...

• Do your parents still treat you as if you were a child?
• Do you have intense emotional or physical reactions after spending time with your parents?
• Do your parents control you with threats or guilt? Do they manipulate you with money?
• Do you feel that no matter what you do, it’s never good enough for your parents?

In this remarkable self-help guide, Dr. Susan Forward draws on case histories and the real-life voices of adult children of toxic parents to help you free yourself from the frustrating patterns of your relationship with your parents — and discover a new world of self-confidence, inner strength, and emotional independence..
Price: $8.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

"Some readers may recognize their mothers as well as themselves in this book. They will also find specific suggestions for creating healthier relationships. Addressing the adult children of borderlines and the therapists who work with them, Dr. Lawson shows how to care for the waif without rescuing her, to attend to the hermit without feeding her fear, to love the queen without becoming her subject, and to live with the witch without becoming her victim.".
Price: $32.36 [Notify me when price goes down.]

In a well-written, powerful narrative, Conyers shows family members at their worst before showing how they found hope and recovery Always engaging and healing, each heart-wrenching story is true to the experience of anyone who has admitted to a spiritual powerlessness and inability to cure their own family's addiction. Conyers skillfully, compassionately, and intelligently distills key recovery points that offer invaluable lessons on loving, detachment, intervention, self-care, self-help groups, community support, addiction and recovery, neurobiology, and family dynamics.

For someone who has an addicted family member or loved one and seeks to better understand addiction in families, this is the book to read. Through compelling testimonials, along with the latest research and information on addiction and recovery, Conyers combines a personal and compassionate voice with one of authority. Conyers takes a step even further revealing her own daughter's addiction and how she learned to lovingly detach herself and become more helpful.

For anyone who has ever worried about a parent, spouse, child, relative or friend's use of alcohol or drugs, this book will help. No doubt, they'll read their own story in these pages and find hope and recovery.

Appendices: Symptoms and Effects of Major Addictive Substances (identifies major drugs and their effects on the brain and body, and symptoms and signs of use); Words of Wisdom; Resources; Recommended Reading.

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Price: $8.18 [Notify me when price goes down.]

It is estimated that as many as 34 million people grew up in alcoholic homes but what about the rest of us? The authors provide a readable explanation of what happens to those of us who have had no alcoholism, but did have perfectionism, workaholism, compulsive overeating, intimacy problems, etc..
Price: $5.70 [Notify me when price goes down.]