Traumatic Narcissism: Relational Systems of Subjugation

In the 2014 edition of Traumatic Narcissism: Relational Systems of Subjugation, Daniel Shaw introduced a new way of understanding how victims become trapped and subjugated by the abuser Shaw calls ＂the traumatizing narcissist.＂ In the many clinical vignettes throughout the book, Shaw illustrates the traumatizing narcissist’s controlling, subjugating behavior, and the shattering impact the traumatizing narcissist has on the people he draws in and holds captive. Shaw explains how therapists can use the traumatic narcissism theory to help victims recognize the specific ways they have been manipulated and controlled.

In the new Introduction to this Classic Edition, Shaw offers insights from his extensive work with these victims and elaborates on the traumatizing narcissist’s ＂delusion of omnipotence,＂ a crucial key to understanding his behavior and what drives it. Additionally, Shaw presents a list of eight characteristic controlling behaviors that support and defend this delusion of omnipotence. Learning to recognize these behaviors will help therapists and patients identify the traumatizing narcissist, and understand how each behavior serves to further deepen his victims’ submission and subjugation.

Traumatic Narcissism presents therapeutic clinical opportunities for all mental health professionals. Therapy patients and lay readers will also find this book highly readable and illuminating.

Daniel Shaw, LCSW is a psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist in private practice in New York City, and in Nyack, New York. He is a training analyst, teacher and supervisor of analytic candidates at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies in New York City.