Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$2.99 with 81 percent savings
Print List Price: $15.95

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $18.80

Save: $16.47 (88%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Hazel Edwards
Follow
Helen McGrath
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Difficult Personalities: A Practical Guide to Managing the Hurtful Behavior of Others (and Maybe Your Own) Kindle Edition

by Helen McGrath (Author), Hazel Edwards (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
See all formats and editions

An indispensable guide to understanding—and living or working with—people whose behavior leaves you frustrated and confused

We all have people in our lives who frustrate, annoy, or hurt us: workplace bullies, those who always claim to be right, or those with anxious or obsessive personalities. And most of us hurt others occasionally, too. Now, authors Dr. Helen McGrath, a clinical psychologist and professor, and Hazel Edwards, a professional writer, offer this highly readable, extremely practical guide to dealing with the difficult personalities we encounter every day—in others, and in ourselves.

Taking the American Psychiatric Association's widely used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as its starting point, Difficult Personalities helpfully outlines over a dozen different personality traits and types, detailing their common characteristics and underlying motivations. It also equips readers with numerous strategies for dealing with difficult behavior, including:

• Anger and conflict management
• Optimism and assertion training
• Rational and empathic thinking
• Reexamining your own personality.

Readers will also benefit from sections on making difficult decisions and maintaining romantic relationships. Perfect for anyone who has ever wished that other people came with a handbook, Difficult Personalities illuminates the personality differences that so often serve as barriers to cooperation in the workplace and harmony at home.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    419 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Experiment
  4. Publication date
    January 20, 2010
  5. File size
    2.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you borrow the Kindle edition of this book with your Kindle Unlimited membership. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
Popular Highlights in this book
What are popular highlights?
Previous page
  1. Demanding personalities are so terrified and affronted by rejection or what they see as abandonment that they behave in outrageously demanding ways and sometimes take spiteful revenge on those whom they see as having denied them.
    Highlighted by 168 Kindle readers
  2. Genetic inheritance probably contributes between 25 and 50 percent toward how we behave and what kind of personality we develop.
    Highlighted by 156 Kindle readers
  3. Managing angry feelings, handling conflict constructively, not personalizing things too much, negotiating, validating, being empathic, respecting, and staying positive and optimistic are all such skills.
    Highlighted by 155 Kindle readers
Next page

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What do you get when a clinical psychologist (McGrath) and an experienced author of adult and children's literature (Edwards) team up to write a handbook for dealing with troublesome people at work or in one's personal life? You get a no-frills resource that is both easy to understand and highly informative. As with many such manuals, it's not necessary to read cover to cover (especially when the book's only shortcoming is its slightly repetitive tips and strategies) but, rather, to read the chapter about whichever personality causes stress in your life, from the anxious to the passive-aggressive, bullies, and narcissists. Whether the problem person is a chronic complainer, a fount of insults, or a perpetual martyr, you are guaranteed to find in-depth analysis, including what they do, why they do it, and strategies to help cope with that person in a positive, healthy way. The authors also have advice for people who recognize bothersome traits in themselves. McGrath and Edwards have avoided scientific jargon and created a handbook people can put to use immediately. There's nothing difficult about this book, except for the subject it gracefully explicates. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Comprehensive information delivered in a straightforward manner, this book is a must read for those who wish to better understand and deal with the difficult people in their lives."
—George K. Simon, Jr., PhD, author of In Sheep's Clothing: Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00355ERR4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Experiment (January 20, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 419 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 152 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Hazel Edwards

    Hazel Edwards

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Meet the Author

    Hazel Edwards OAM has always been keen on books and ideas. Her anecdotal memoir 'Not Just a Piece of Cake;Being an Author' is about being a longterm author with a family and taking cultural or physical risks such as being an Antarctic expeditioner. Her over 200 books, have been translated into ten languages. ( not every book in every language!) and adapted for screen.

    'Difficult Personalities', co-written with Dr Helen Mc Grath (Penguin) has been reprinted with Polish, Russian Chinese,Vietnamese, Korean, American and Canadian audio translations available. Her co-written YA novel about transitioning gender 'f2m;the boy within' has inspired a comic graphic novel 'The Boy Within' with transguys Ryan Kennedy and Sam Orchard.

    Best known for 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' picture book series , illustrated by Deborah Niland with its 44th anniversary in 2024, and toured nationally as a Garry Ginivin musical. Hazel writes across media, for adults & children. Hazel runs Non Boring Writing and 'Complete Your Book in a Year' workshops for genealogists.

    'Celebrant Sleuth: I Do or Die' is first in an adult mystery series with Quinn, a celebrant of diverse gender who performs wedding and funerals but who also solves mysteries.The sequel 'Wed Then Dead on The Ghan', an Agatha Christie role-play was commissioned for adaptation for screen by the ABC.

    'Wasted?' the latest YA novel, explores challenges faced by innovative asylum seekers when they create a new state on the Garbage Patches mid ocean. They trade bio-fuel and issue visas. Teenager Kit illustrates how you can draw a new future as activists turn to science.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Helen McGrath

    Helen McGrath

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
152 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for dealing with difficult people and recognizing personality types. They describe it as easy to read, well-written, and worth the price. The book provides great insight and practical advice on how to recognize and understand challenging personalities.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

AdvicePersonality typeReadabilityValue for money
14 customers mention "Advice"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's advice. They find it helpful in understanding difficult people and providing practical strategies for working with them. The book provides insights and useful strategies for dealing with challenging personalities, including ADHD and executive functioning issues. Overall, readers find the book insightful and an excellent resource for dealing with challenging personalities.

"...Page 77 has great insight into anxiety from grieving. Page 62 talks about overreacting, and defines the excellent term "flooders."..." Read more

"This book has been very helpful in showing me how to sort out what is mine and what is theirs in some difficult relationships...." Read more

"...Surprise surprise! It is very helpful and practical to apply...." Read more

"...It's interesting for many reasons and this book can be your guide into deciphering people who threaten your emotional security." Read more

9 customers mention "Personality type"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for describing and recognizing difficult personalities. They appreciate the clear descriptions of personality types and styles, with good references to the MBTI Type Indicator. The book provides strategies for dealing with difficult people and helps recognize sociopaths.

"...For me, it was "different" personalities. It analyzes all personality types and styles with good references to the MBTI Type Indicator...." Read more

"...I found the clear descriptions of difficult people very helpful and realize my guilt over some issue I have with one person in particular are ones I..." Read more

"...read many books of this nature but this one is primo because it describes the person, what their needs are as well as how to treat them respectfully...." Read more

"Very easy to read and understand. No meandering. A very good description of sociopaths...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and helpful. They say it's well-written, clear, and a must-read for everyone.

"Very easy to read and understand. No meandering. A very good description of sociopaths...." Read more

"Should be a must read for everyone. Great insight, practical advice." Read more

"Excellent read and great help with learning to overcome panic attacks." Read more

"well written" Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's worth its price.

"...my decision and myself after reading this book and that alone was worth its price...." Read more

"...tip for improving relationships it is helpful. Good price. Downside is the longer shipping times" Read more

"...Still worth it, though." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Elizabeth Flygare
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book on communication skills; title is a bit misleading
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is the best book I have ever read about how to get along with other people. The reason I think the title is misleading is that it isn't just "difficult" personalities. For me, it was "different" personalities. It analyzes all personality types and styles with good references to the MBTI Type Indicator. It emphasizes how to build a skill set to communicate and get along with someone whose personality type and communication style differ from yours. Examples: Pages 25 and 30 talk about people who are "debaters" by nature, and present ideas if this is an area of conflict. Page 77 has great insight into anxiety from grieving. Page 62 talks about overreacting, and defines the excellent term "flooders." Page 124 discusses angry outbursts; page 128 actually addresses getting along with people who tend to "dig their heels in." Page 133 talks seriously about fear of abandonment. The entire book discusses both sides of each aspect that could be considered difficult. Wonderful insight--a perfect "go-to" book!
    15 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Zipporah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and helpful book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book has been very helpful in showing me how to sort out what is mine and what is theirs in some difficult relationships. I found the clear descriptions of difficult people very helpful and realize my guilt over some issue I have with one person in particular are ones I can deal with using the suggestions in the book. I recommend this for those who wonder "Is it me or is it them?" and want to try to deal in a positive way in either case. I wish I had found this book years ago. By reading the behaviors of certain kinds of people I am now able to pinpoint the issue accurately and hopefully create a positive communication with one or two people I don't want to have to back off from.
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Notbyworx
    5.0 out of 5 stars Whoa! Very helpful..
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book gave great insight into the different types of personalities that we all run into in our lives. I not only got good tips on how to handle these character refining people but I got some tips on how to handle myself as one of the difficult personalities in the book! it seems like we can be difficult for someone else to handle too! Surprise surprise! It is very helpful and practical to apply. I have read many books of this nature but this one is primo because it describes the person, what their needs are as well as how to treat them respectfully. I first got this book from the library. I liked it so much I wanted a copy for myself. Oh, one last tip.. Don't read your spouse's difficult personality description out loud to them! They might not like it and become more difficult!
    21 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • J. Lopate
    4.0 out of 5 stars Is This Person Worth Hanging On To?
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book with great interest, having just dealt with the painful ending of a friendship that left me confused, in emotional distress and questioning myself. After reading this book, I was able to identify personality traits of the person involved and classify them. Some personality traits are very very difficult to navigate without professional help and this book helped me to understand that with this particular individual, I was signing on for a lifetime of abuse, misjudgement and attacks. The relationship had to end. I felt much better about my decision and myself after reading this book and that alone was worth its price. It's interesting for many reasons and this book can be your guide into deciphering people who threaten your emotional security.
    33 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Helen
    5.0 out of 5 stars easy to read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Very easy to read and understand. No meandering. A very good description of sociopaths. Normally seen as serial killers this points out that they are actually the least insane among us. Having a sister like that i understand just how dangerously insidious this can be so i found this book oddly comforting
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Megan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Bad advice around anxiety, good communication skills book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is an odd book. It has the feel of ChatGPT but was published way before its advent. It takes a very gentle, congenial tone, then breaks down into fairly clinical AI-like "listicles". I do appreciate how the book tries to see the good and bad of characteristics that are diametric to each other or might be less appreciated, although some are hilarious cope (like with hoarders and bullies).

    This book is full of advice on how people with clashing personality characteristics can get along with each other. There's lots of talk of acceptance, compromise, etc. Very, very good things that we're lacking more and more these days.

    But the chapters on anxiety are WAY off. You do not "reassure" an anxious person, because you are just feeding into the anxiety. It sounds counterintuitive, but what happens is the anxious person feels better for a moment, but reassurance doesn't actually address the core problem, so the anxiety flares up even harder, causing the anxious person to seek even more reassurance. Before you know if, you have a slobbering mess that can't even leave the house or someone who can't exist unless you're by their side.

    You do not "logic" your way out with an anxious person. I mean, maybe if it's mild anxiety it would work, but anything worse? Depending on the person's temperament, it's the equivalent of trying to get Jell-O to stick to a tree at best, and at worst, jamming your hand in a cactus.

    Countering with, "yeah but what if X goes right?" is condescending and will make you sound childish.

    That said, the book is still worth reading. There's tons of good advice outside of anxiety (why is advice about anxiety so hard to get right, I wonder). The advice on dealing with bossy people was very helpful. The chapter on inflexible personality types was excellent, too. The chapter on passive-aggressive people was scary--turns out I have people like that in my life. I didn't realize how insidious it can be.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • James
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Book you can use!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Finally. A book that gets to the issues and how to handle them. Nice & specific. And one of the more useful books of this type. I don't think any book will solve every problem but reading this one, it gives me hope, for dealing better with Difficult Personalities. (see my other reviews).
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Heather B
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book everyone should read maybe then there wouldn't be so much hate and conflict in the world
    Report
  • Lamaga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Conosci qualcuno dal carattere non esattamente "facile"? Ti sembra di sbagliare sempre nel modo in cui ti comporti con questa pe
    Reviewed in Italy on February 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    La nostra società complessa produce persone estremamente complesse, in grado di rendere la vita difficile a chi vive loro accanto. Coraggio, il rimedio c'è. Nel libro sono indicate semplici strategie di "sopravvivenza" in grado di minimizzare gli aspetti caratteriali "difficili" Al limite può valere il detto "se li conosci, li eviti!"
    Report
  • anon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I bought it to help me with my job dealing with difficult people. Very interesting and useful to dip into, or read cover to cover.
    Report
  • Patricia Young
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Helpful Reading
    Report
  • SD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It is an excellent read. Definitely an eye opener. Has help me in field of work.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report