Violent Attachments

by J. Reid Meloy

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.

Genres: Psychology

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Emily Calvertron]

Essential reading for any psychologist working with an incarcerated population. Not great if you’re looking for a light bedtime read, however.

[Michael Brady]

The case studies are sad and horrible. Well written book though. Meloy has a way with this material. If you get this book do not leave it lying around where the unsuspecting and unprepared might accidentally read a page or two.