Reviews (114)

Sometimes you get to revisit
Years ago I worked with a lot of this material, and a lot of other material, most of it was good.My father died this last winter and stuff started shifting around a bit and at any rate it became apparent that some of what was getting in my way was codependence.
Co dependant no more
At this point I love not having to read and having this book on CD is great.
Letting Go of Control
This book is a must for anyone who is learning to "Let Go and Let God" be in control of their life as well as those of others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Family relationships    3. Patients    4. Self-Help    5. Self-care, Health    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    7. Substance abuse    8. Popular psychology    9. Self-Help & Practical Interests    10. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (51)

The Most Important Book I've Ever Owned!
This book should be required reading by everyone!I have given away copies of this book, and have one of my own.I have learned more about life from this book - how to deal with it, handle it, and survive it - then any other book I've ever read.
Spot-On
I used one of the readings in this book and one of the readings in its sequel, "More Language of Letting Go," as the topics in a recent 12-step meeting I was called on to lead.I was a little bit fearful about using these books, as this was not a meeting of the 12-step program that might be most naturally associated with Ms. Beattie and her writings (although a close cousin).The second person to speak up after I opened the meeting for sharing confirmed my belief that these books were "spot-on," and so I have chosen that as the title of my review.(You know who you are, should you ever read these words, and I thank you once again.)
Great message for daily living
I personally believe in the power of daily practice of meditation and focussing on the moment at hand.Being mindful of whats in front of us is the key to life.This book helps with the task of living one day at a time and growing each moment.Highly recommended.Also, would love if you checked out my book which is similar, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present."Thanks and enjoy your daily journey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Codependents    3. Devotional    4. Devotional calendars    5. English    6. Meditation    7. Meditations    8. Prayer-books and devotions    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-Help    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (84)

Well-written; easy to understand!
Having witnessed firsthand the ravages of someone with BPD, this is the first book I've read that captures your interest and attention almost immediately, and expresses the entire matter in terms that those of us who are not "health care professionals" can understand, RELATE TO and LEARN FROM.
Very Good Book
This book explainsborderline personality disorder using a simple language and clear examples. Recommended even to those who do not know much about the borderline pathology.

Essential Reading for those with BPD
When I first discovered this book, I found this book and the title alone summed up all of my relationships I had had up to that time (I was only 19). It was as if someone had written a book about me, I was relieved that I wasn't the only person in the world who went through what I was going through. I was able to take a look at my behaviors and make a conscious effort to change them. For years this book was essential reading for anyone involved in a relationship with me. If you are Borderline or love someone that is, your life will improve at least a bit after reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Love & Romance    3. Mood Disorders    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Popular psychology    7. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (12)

READ ALL ABOUT IT**** THE REAL STORY
The truth of the matter is:
Victim Mentality
This is a snippet of an essay by Dr. Robert Westermeyer, an outstanding addiction counselor...
good book a little longer to get
An excellent book for those who are continuing recovery! We already have the scattered bits and pieces of information, now what do we do with them and how do we integrate them into our lives and become the people we were born to be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Family life    3. Neurology - General    4. Popular works    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Self-care, Health    8. Substance abuse    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    10. Separation & divorce   

Reviews (39)

The Sun Shone on Me
Get the "Expanded Edition" if possible. Alcoholic issues and mental health issues have been around for quite some time. Woititz Marries the two in a wonderful owner's manual for your (or someone close to yours soul) The person close to me was severely compromised by her (sober) parents ACoA issues and the other siblings' willingness to buy into the insanity. If you can find a book called "Grandchildren of Alcoholics" by Ann W. Smith, it is an excellent resourse for people who dont see alcoholism in their own families, but perhaps do see it in their grandparents. Would love to hear from others on the same journey.

Educational/Easy to Read
This book is excellant for ACOA's who wish to gain a better understanding of how their childhood has lasting effects on their life as an adult.It was my first book on the subject, and a great introduction.

Not a good first book on the subject
I've read a number of books on this subject. I wouldn't say this book was unhelpful but is too absolute in its information to be anything but alarming to anyone tentatively looking for answers. It's also not very well written. I would suggest reading either "Recovery, A Guide for Adult Children of Alcoholics" by Gravitz & Bowden (an excellent first book) along with "A Primer on Adult Children of Alcoholics" by Cermak for an added layer; and then, absolutely essential as a more in-depth book: "Children of Alcoholism - A Survivor's Manual" by Seixas & Youcha. Leave the Woititz book for more information. By all means, read it. It does have excellent information; just remember the adage "Take what you need and leave the rest". Something she unfortunately forgot to include. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult children of alcoholics    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholism    4. Codependency    5. Family relationships    6. General    7. Recovery    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. United States    11. Adolescent children    12. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    13. Marriage, family & other relationships    14. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (30)

Very Very TRUE!
My husband and I both endured shame and guilt based rearing in our youth.Faced with the birth of our second child due this fall, we felt the need to close some old issues that continue to reoccour in our own parenting.We picked up this book and read it in one night.We cried because this book spoke to the very core of our issues and gave us great ideas into healing our past.I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who had a difficult childhood.

Finally some tools to work with
I am so grateful for this book as it has already given me so many insights. Somehow I thought that I was bad or defective, that there was something inherently wrong with me. Having read this book I realise I am the person years and my parents have made me into. A child whose family was dysfunctional and whose parents leaned heavily on alcohol as years went by, how could I have grown into a healthy young woman? Instead, I am an intelligent perfectionist, an over-responsible workaholic who tolerates being treated badly and neglects her own needs. However, I have been able to see that I can change - that I do have the right to learn to live a balanced and happy life. I also bought the work book that goes with this text book, and am thoroughly enjoying filling it in. My mind is working overtime making new connections and trying to make sense of my life, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Not a good place to start
This is not a book for "newbies." If your family is f*cked up, you'll do better with information that is more basic to supporting your getting OUT, rather than how to survive being in it... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Children of Alcoholics    2. Adult children of dysfunctiona    3. Adult children of dysfunctional families    4. Codependency    5. Inner Child    6. Recovery    7. Rehabilitation    8. Self    9. Self-Help    10. Treatment    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (27)

Yuck
I was looking for help with my relationship addiction.This book is so stuffed with mumbo jumbo I couldn't get through the first chapter.

Some interesting parts
This book does have some interesting parts. I wanted to see and learn more about myself, but went away without much more than I've already learned. There are some interesting stories about other people, some I could understand, and others I really could not relate. So I gave the four stars if perhaps there are people out there that can relate to the stories of other people.
" challenging and VERY helpful;"
Now this is a book i recommend to anyone who is "hooked" on a particular individual. The book is very pragmatic and the exercises are fanitastic at shifting one out of "denial land" and back into "reality" . You will relate to aspects of many of the stories told.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Autonomy (Psychology)    3. Codependency    4. Self-Help    5. Separation (Psychology)    6. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (12)

Honesty, responsibility, and respect
I was able to refresh my memory, which is required, in not being an enabler, being responsable for my actions and respecting myself again.

Another way to work the Steps!
This time around I'm addressing some core issues and this book is just perfect for where I'm at.It provides a refreshing perspective that complements and supplements ANY other 12 Step program.If you want to go a little bit deeper than the way you usually work the Steps, without complicated or excessive formats, this book is so worth your time!

Brilliant, honest and life-changing
Melody Beattie's books are all incredibly honest and forthright. You can see yourself and your own behaviors in her words - she comes right to the heart of the matter, over and over again. She discusses the nuances of co-dependency in such a way that the reader can take something valuable from every page. This book helps the reader refocus on what is going on and what is important in life. An indispensable guide to recognizing co-dependent behaviors and choosing to leave them behind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Co-dependence (Psychology)    2. Codependency    3. Codependents    4. Religious aspects    5. Religious life    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Twelve-Step Programs    9. Marriage, family & other relationships    10. Mind, Body, Spirit    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (31)

It's a good read
I liked the book and it didn't take long for me to read it. I did not grow up in a home with alcoholism or drug addiction (Other than nicotine), but I was able to relate to a lot of what was written in the book.

not helpful
I didn't find journaling and the recovery phase at all helpful. I think it's a lot of theory and not enough practical wisdom and the section on making requests for what you want in your partner totally ridiculous. In real life this doesn't work.

Recovery Tools
This book was recommended by my therapist. After going thru the whole book and writing all the exercises, I have unlocked and unloaded a ton of childhood pain and trauma.You will shed floods of tears and feel terrible feelings you have buried, but this process is like the purging of toxins so you can begin to heal.
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Subjects:  1. Interpersonal Relations    2. Love & Romance    3. Recovery    4. Relationship addiction    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Sexual    7. Coping with personal problems    8. Marriage, family & other relationships    9. Physiological & neuro-psychology    10. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (9)

Saved my life
This book is for anyone going through any type of recovery: codependency, addiction, divorce. Daily affirmations that tell us that yes we are important and we are not crazy!

More Excellent Work
I don't think we as human beings actually recognize the power of daily reading, meditation, and reflecting.Practicing these powerful principles allows us to remain mindful of the moment and reflect upon the deeper question in our lives.To devote ourself to a daily meditation and to journal on these quiet times is priceless and will certainly aid in the evolution of our soul.For me this practice has allowed an awakening to take place and opens my life up to all the opportunities that are available in this universe.Please give this practice a try!This book will help you in your journey of living and cultivating an active consciousness in your daily life.
More Language of Letting Go, Equally good as the first!
This is another fine example of the inner wisdom of Melody Beattie.Her books have helped me TREMENDOUSLY with my life, though I'm not a 12 stepper.It applies to life for all of us! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Codependents    3. Devotional    4. Devotional calendars    5. English    6. Meditations    7. Prayer-books and devotions    8. Religious aspects    9. Self-Help    10. Christian spirituality    11. Gift books    12. Marriage & relationships    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (17)

Help for the hopeless
I dont know what the author was talking about when he/she said that this particular book had poor-wording in it...I think not!!! Joyce Meyer writes books and gives lectures from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Many individual's lives are changed and transformed by knowing God more intimately. I think that Joyce Meyer helps many people, in particular women to have confidence in God and most importantly, within themselves. Each time a person is being used by God in a powerful way, Satan comes in to try to destroy that person God is using. Many people, particularly hurting people can be free from intimidation, and low-self-esteem through Joyce's book. This is a must-read! A++++

She did it again!
Another life changing message from Joyce. Since I became a Christian I have followed Joyce's teachings and my life has never been the same!
Man Pleaser To God Pleaser
Joyc Meyer always has a way of making matter of fact out of the mysteries of Heaven and most importantly God's heart. For those who want out of the rut of feeling unworthy, unsuccessful or unaccepted in life, this book will redefine acceptance and love through God's eyes, which is always there no matter what, and help take our eyes off ourselves or our circumstances.We need look no futher for those attributes from people.Once we know we are loved and accepted always by God our true Heavenly father, we no longer need to base who we are off of people's thoughts of us.They make no difference.To live for God alone is all that should matter, not to be so stifled by what other people think about us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assertiveness (Psychology)    2. Bibles    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Christianity - Christian Life - Interpersonal Relationships    6. Codependency    7. Interpersonal Relations    8. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    9. Personal Guidance    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religious aspects    12. Self-Help    13. Self-esteem    14. Family & Relationships / Interpersonal Relations   

Reviews (10)

I loved this book
If you are an ACoA (Adult Child of an Alcoholic), I recommed this book and all of the books by Janet Woititz.I've read many of them, they are easy reads and so informative.It is really helpful to learn about other's experiences and struggles, and to hear advice on how to help you now.My favorite part of this book is the chapter called "So, you love an ACoA..." and is good for your partner to read to help them understand things like why you might overreact to certain situations or have such a negative view of yourself.Don't be turned off by the old cover, mine looked like it was from 1960 or something, the book is not outdated by any means.

essential
as a partner to an ACOA this is a must read for anyone involved in this kind of relationship.easy to read, easy to understand, and full of AHA! moments. great information!

I learned about healthy relationships
I thought I knew about relationships and how to make one work and what it took to keep one going.I thought my past failures were a product of bad timing.I did not see why I went after the wrong people, prused bad situations and stayed when I should have left.This book opened my eyes and changed my perspective.It was brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Codependency    4. Family relationships    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    9. Marriage, family & other relationships    10. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (3)

One of the most important books I've ever read
I initially bought this book because I wondered if being in love was just an addiction.But I learned so much more than that.This book should be helpful for practically everyone.It talks about how our love relationships are related to unmet needs from childhood.It described my parents relationship almost exactly and I see how it affected me. It was amazing that anyone knew all this stuff.

Very Helpful
Not only discusses the symptoms, but also walks you through some steps to stop it, and to work through it. A wonderful book. I keep it on my bedside and consult it frequently even though I have read it cover to cover.

An excellent resource for addicts who want real love!
I can't believe I am the first one to review this book! After struggling with addictions of all sorts for years (including alcohol, drugs, sex, and love addiction), I finally determined why I kept sabotaging my relationships with women. My compulsive search for something to help me feel less pain came from my childhood, and this book was the stepping stone that helped me see that there was hope to overcome this tricky addiction, seek help, and learn to love myself and others with authenticity. Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Love    4. Psychology    5. Relationship addiction    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Marriage, family & other relationships    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    10. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (3)

Very helpful without being preachy
I found the information in this book very helpful. It is easy to read and understand. It is encouraging. It provides insight into what's going on when you're trying to cast off old ways of living that hold you back.
This book really is ground breaking
Having been raised in a home with an alcoholic father and abusive parents in general, I was left in a codependant stuper.At thrity-something and after the birth of a fourth child I found myself in a serious depression I couldn't shake.Having gone through years of counseling and having dealt with much of my past, I was suprised to see it creep up again.This book gave me some powerfully accurate information as well as some great tools for dealing with my situation.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to finally be rid of the old tapes in their head.

It certainly is a choice
Don't let the title fool you.Although this is a book about dealing with failed adult relationships, the main emphasis in on the phenomena of co-dependency.Unresolved issues of childhood are the primary cause, and Drs Hemfelt, Minnerth and Meier go through many real life case studies that lead the reader to examine their own life, as well as the life of thier "significant other".Realizing how your lowly filled "love tank" is affecting your life is a powerful tool for recovery.Realizing you have a loving heavenly father is a key to recovery as well.I think this book is excellent for anybody experiencing a significant problem with a marriage or other long term relationship. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. General    3. Learning Disabilities    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Coping with personal problems    7. Marriage, family & other relationships    8. Self-Help & Practical Interests    9. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (24)

Work for World Peace - Read this book and heal yourself
Robert Burney is a pioneer.His message breaks through to the core of the human condition over, and over, and over again.I found Robert's message at a time in my life when I needed it the most.It put some very big pieces of my personal puzzle(ment) together for me in a single resource.His message gave me practical hope and began to establish a new and deeper perspective in my daily life.He is not a "guru."He is an emotionally honest man who is conveying his truth without pretense.I believe he's been given the gift of assembling some very important Truths into one practical spiritual message that addresses the human condition.Anyone, regardless of their particular belief system, who considers his message will walk away better equipped to Live their life.I highly recommend this book.I bought the tapes too.

Healing for your Wounded Soul
I've read the book and am now ordering the cassette version.I've read other books on codependence but this one has a softer, more wholistic approach that I found quite satisfying.
Become the empowered being you were always meant to be ...
I really enjoyed reading this book. I don't usually make notes in the books I read, but this one for some reason had me underlining, highlighting and making my own notes on the pages as I went along! Great stuff, it really resonated with me. The book is of great help if you wish to start becoming more aware of yourinner child and boundaries in relation to other people. If you don't know when/how/why people are pushing your buttons, you can't stop reacting and begin to find your equilibrium and inner peace. I also loved the spiritual connection that went along with the theme of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. New Age (Self Help)    3. Religion / Spirituality    4. Self-Help    5. Self-Help / Codependency    6. Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Healing    8. Inner child    9. Mental & Spiritual Healing    10. New Age / Parapsychology    11. Spiritual life   

Reviews (29)

An enlightening book!
This book was recommended by my therapist.It opened my eyes to a few things I did not see before.It helps you put words and faces to things you see and experience.It is very enlightening and helpful!!I would highly recommend it for anyone.It helps you to see and understand codependency, and ways that it manifests in our lives and childhood.It gives examples of functional and the dysfunctional.I just got the workbook that goes along with it, and am currently working on it.I give it many kudos!

Growing up in a dysfunctional way can be explained by Chaos Theory
We all know that when we drop a stone in one part of a pond it creates ripple effects.Its the same thing with a person's life from the very beginning, what happens to him or her in childhood creates a ripple effect or domino effect all the way to the present.People often say that they are who they are not just because of their inborn traits but also because of their experiences in life.If what you have experienced in childhood made you who you are, which in turn influenced your behavior in your adolescent and teen-age years, which again added new negative experiences for we know how brutal adolescent and teen-age years are, which again affected you and rippled effect to your 20's....the vicious cycle doesn't end.It is like what Chaos Theory is saying, "Sensitivity to initial reaction" it is observed everywhere: one domino, in a long line of dominos, fall..the rest fall too one by one; in a house of card you take off one from the bottom and a slight mistake will make the whole house of card fall; how you angled your shooting arm SLIGHTLY different from how you usually shoot a basketball affects the angle of the ball GREATLY by the time it gets close to the rim....this is because the effects can be INCREMENTAL, meaning for example as a person is growing up, the effects of childhood may not be noticable because its effects are incremental over the years, it COMPOUNDS in a way that you are not AT THE RIGHT LEVEL in your life...everybodys doing a Marathon and your not doing anything with your life at all, or your doing a one-hundred meter dash while everybody else is doing a Marathon, my point is your not doing it LEVEL by LEVEL as you grow up which in the long run compounds enough to begin to affect you adversely.If you were not doing anything in life at all later on you'll feel sorry for it for everybody lived their life, their at 8 and you are still at 4, and if you tried to be so ahead all of your life you might one day regret it because you didn't get to live life like how everybody else lived life, they went through 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10, you jumped from 1 to 10, MISSING OUT all in between! so childhood has a long effect on a person's life, maybe you can incrementally break free of your childhood, see what happens.

This book changed my life - better than similar titled
I read a lot of books with similar titles to this one.But this one is dramatically different in the sense that it (for me) correctly identified that the condition I live with is all about me... and that it lives and operates in me without having anything to do with anyone else - except that the actions of others can trigger me.
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Subjects:  1. Co-dependence (Psychology)    2. Codependency    3. General    4. Recovery    5. Self-Help    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Self-Help & Practical Interests    8. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (11)

insightful
This very well written books offers insights about who we are as a person and why we are the way we are.I found the book very comforting because it reinforced what I was feeling inside.This book also gives advice about how to change.I think that even if you don't come from an "abusive" family you should read this book because I know that everyone can relate and learn from it in many ways.

Nobody teaches this stuff. Read it!
Excellent. A bit dated but timeless content. The beginning and end speaks to AA type meetings but it's not the main focus of the book, co-dependency is, which just about everyone deals with growing up. Quick read. There are a few short stories featuring animals that are sprinkled betweenthe chapters,adding levity and a moment to escape and explore how the new information may serve you. My favorite, The Goose, whose parents told her not to leave the pond despite her feeling sick but she finally did leave and discovered she was right. The family unit unknowingly puts family members into positions and then keeps them there unable to see the dysfunction. Once one family member took action leaving the others behind the others eventually followed. If one family member is acting out and you don't know why it is not always the issue of the one who is acting out, look beyond, look to yourself first. Highly recommended.

wow
Illuminating and frightening.We all have baggage and until we find a place to safely store it, those closest to us are also burdened with it.The ideas in this book promote taking responsibility for our actions, looking into the motivations of those actions, and examining the source of our attitudes without placing blame on anyone.It's a great book about growing up to be healthy and facing one's demons without guilt.It's a relief to read this material and know that it's OK to feel a certain way, and even better to feel that healthy change is possible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult children of alcoholics    2. Adult children of drug addicts    3. Adult children of dysfunctiona    4. Adult children of dysfunctional families    5. Alcoholics    6. Alcoholism    7. Codependency    8. Family Psychotherapy    9. General    10. Recovery    11. Self-Help    12. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    13. Adolescent children    14. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (10)

Not Useful, Barely Comprehensible Format
A year or so ago I bought a bunch of self-help books blindly online, with the hope they would represent their titles and be of some use to me personally.
Thank you for this much-needed resource!
Adult survivors of abuse have only the twisted guidance of screwed-up parents to guide them through life. Only the worst cases of abuse make the news. Some people don't even realize they were abused until they look back on their childhoods with an adult's wisdom and insight - a child often thinks the dysfunctional situation is normal and doesn't realize that this doesn't happen in all families - nor should it. Knowing what's normal is impossible for us - because we never knew what normal was! Essential for the adult survivor

Good, but not perfect.
If you've had a troubled childhood, this book will amaze you at its accuracy. It knows your problems, perceived "shortcomings", and more. It also gives you the insight into why it happens or why you continue to do it. However, it does NOT give you enough in the way of constructive methods of ridding yourself of these behaviors. While it maintains an upbeat and cheery tone for its entire length, there just isn't enough substance there for my liking.
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Subjects:  1. Adult children of alcoholics    2. Adult children of drug addicts    3. Adult children of dysfunctiona    4. Adult children of dysfunctional families    5. Alcoholism    6. Codependency    7. Mental Health And Hygiene    8. Recovery    9. Rehabilitation    10. Self-Help    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    12. Adolescent children    13. Self-Help / Codependency   

Reviews (13)

Content hit home
Currently divorcinga partner with BPD, and this book is a wonderful self help effort. I highly recommend it. It puts SO much into perspective.

Very useful information, but does have some shortcomings
This is a unique book in that it presents how to become disentangled from a relationship with someone who has borderline personality disorder.Most books are aimed at the person with BPD and not the people on the receiving end of the dysfunctional behavior.I can see where this is very helpful, for many people and the advice is sound.
A Truly Helpfull Book.

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Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Mental Illness    5. Personality    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help / Abuse    8. Self-Help / Codependency    9. Abuse - Psychological    10. Abuse - Spousal Abuse    11. Borderline personality disorder    12. Domestic violence    13. Family & Relationships / Interpersonal Relations    14. Psychology-Mental Illness    15. Psychology-Personality   

Reviews (10)

Perfect Daughters
This book was so helpful with it's insight into the experience of having an alcoholic parent.It is written well, easy to follow and answers questions you didn't even know you had.I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially to people like myself who are at the beginning of their quest for the truth and don't want to read a book that feels too clinical and complicated.

A cheesy way to earn a living
Having recently come to understand the role of my alcoholic parents' habits in my development as an adult, I have been seeking every possible source for information and strategies for dealing with my own behavior problems.I have found some wonderful sources -- Janet Woititz' books, for example.I had high hopes for this book, Perfect Daughters since I am such a freak but what I got was a book written in large print, at a level merely approaching 6th grade, that is 40% this man's clients' letters.His analysis is facile and offers nothing new.Yes, we all feel this way; yes we all share certain qualities, but anyone who's done only minimal research will discover this very soon.This book offers nothing new.I feel ripped off by the book's "promises", insulted by the writers' tone and plethora of marginally relevant quotations clearly pasted from quotes.com.Don't buy this book; check it out of the library and get what good you can from it. There is some there, but not $10 worth.

The Perfect Daughter
I am a child of an alcoholic Mother.I try very hard to avoid books that talk about adult children of Alcoholics becuase they usually make things sound very over technical and impersonal.I am not a very emotional person and I know the decisions I make in my life are because of my families alcoholic issues.However, this was a book that was not very hard to read and I would highly recoomend it.After reading the very first story and bawling my eyes out about that little family princess who never understood and was always trying to make it okay,I knew the book was for me to read.That's ME!!! That's ME!!! I kept saying over and over. Ironically I highlighted every sentence and passage that had to do with my childhood and feelings in the book and I believe I ended up with 90% of it highlighted.I couldn't help to think that someone had a hidden journal on my heart and feelings growing up.If only that person had stepped in when I was young what a difference it would have made.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adjustment (Psychology)    2. Adult Children of Alcoholics    3. Codependency    4. Daughters    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. United States    8. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    9. Drug addiction & substance abuse    10. Self-Help / Adult Children of Substance Abusers