Fatal Flaws is that rare crossover book that effectively speaks to both patients and psychiatrists. Case studies of novelistic intensity pull the reader into the dual perspectives of the patient and of the psychiatrist. The real-life depictions of what goes on in the therapy session turn out to be as engrossing as some classic 'therapy' movies such as Spellbound. My hunch is that therapists will refer this 'must-own' book to their patients and patients will refer it to their therapists.—Ethel S. Person, M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ; Training & Supervising Analyst, Columbia Univ Center for Psychoanalytic Training & Research

From the pen of a master educator and clinician, Fatal Flaws, by Stuart Yudofsky M.D., is a remarkable gift to mental health practitioners everywhere. Drawing on years of clinical experience, Dr. Yudofsky allows us into his consulting room and shares his views and strategies about how best to help patients who suffer from severe, complex, and disabling personality disorders. Most importantly, after careful 'de-identification' of each patient, he presents (from enviably detailed and preserved clinical records) selected dialogues between himself and his patients as well as between his patients ant heir friends, family members, employers, and others with whom they have interacted regularly.—The American Journal of Psychiatry, 4/1/2006

Fatal Flaws provides us with a user-friendly instrument to help us perceive personality flaws (fatal and otherwise) in ourselves and in others, and it quickly presents us with nine principles for safely interacting with people who have fatal flaws. . . . Each chapter leads with a captivating clinical vignette and then presents the available knowledge and wisdom on the subjract that at once is valuable to clinicians at all levels of experience and gives practical and effective help to the lay person in understanding and changing their destructive relationships with people who have severe and persistent personality disorders.—Psychiatric Services, 4/1/2006

From psychoanalysis to neurotransmitters, from underlying causes to practical applications, this unique volume will help the health care community and the public understand a group of mental disorders that inflict untold pain on those who suffer from them, untold frustration on their health care professionals, and untold damage on their families, friends, and business associates. Many books can enlighten; this engrossing work can also save families, careers, and lives.—Nada L Stotland, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics/Gynecology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois

Fatal Flaws is wonderfully educational and well written. I have also convinced 4 others including Department Chairs, administrators, etc. to buy copies. I realize that it was probably not Dr. Yudofsky's intent to have the book read as an aid to administration, however often we have steered away from personal relationships with individuals with these types of problems, but cannot do so in the work place.—Niloo M. Edwards, M.D., Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

I recommend Fatal Flaws to anyone attempting to understand some of the devastating experiences they have had in the past, or may be going through at present. It is certainly a wonderful starting point for a general study of personality disorders. I greatly appreciate Dr. Yudofsky's hard work and his effort to make it readable for the general public. Many of my psychology students have expressed an interest in moving on to a career that involves psychology or psychiatry. Much of this has to do with expert authors who help make the course better by providing people like me with the ammunition to better equip these young people.—Jim Rojas, El Rancho High School, Pico Rivera, California

Fatal Flaws was fascinating to read, especially the detailed and beautifully written portrait of Shelby Fairmont. Dr. Yudofsky enables the reader to be an unseen observer of the therapeutic process in the hands of a colorful patient and an extraordinarily gifted psychiatrist. He has given the best description I have seen of the anatomy of healing. The book should be of value and interest to a wide range of readers. It should certainly be must reading for anyone entering the field and for those whose lives are enmeshed in any of the destructive relationships Dr. Yudofsky describes and analyzes so superbly.—Rabbi Samuel Egal Karff, Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, Texas

Fatal Flaws is a well-written, accessible guide for understanding personality disorders. Its discussion of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment is thorough enough to serve as guide for mental health practitioners in training, yet the case studies and guidelines are practical and useful for the layperson who is in a relationship with someone with a personality disorder.—PsycCRITIQUES

Using 30 years of experience as a successful therapist in the psychoanalytic tradition, the author provides rich information about personality disorders through cases that illustrate symptoms and treatment. The book is hard to put down, attesting to the author's achievement of his goal of providing information about persons with these disorders in a clear and interesting way. The style of the book lends itself well to the targeted audience of those who are beginning or are in training to proved therapy for persons with personality disorders as well as for patients themselves or their families who want a better understanding of these 'flaws'.—Doody's Book Review Service, 4/1/2006

[Fatal Flaws] is readable, thorough, and unique practical sharing of the author's and the mentors' wisdom regarding personality disorders of all types delineated in the DSM-IV.—Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 4/1/2006