Best 10 Books On Narcissistic Abuse

1. Disarming the Narcissist

By Wendy T. Behary LCSW

Now a self-help classic, Disarming the Narcissist is a practical, step-by-step communication guide to help you cope with and confront the narcissist in your life. Based on reader feedback, this fully revised and updated third edition features new information on shame, hypersexuality, and infidelity in narcissism; legal information to help you if you are divorcing a narcissist; and the impact of narcissism on children.

2. Should I Stay or Should I Go?

By Ramani Durvasula PhD

Should I Stay or Should I Go? is a survival manual, a guidebook, and a shot of reality. Some people will never change, and kissing frogs is the stuff of fairy tales, not real life. The Beast never turns out to be a nice guy (or gal). This is a book that breaks down what mean people do to us, how they do it, and what we can do to survive.

3. The Covert Passive-Aggressive Narcissist

By Debbie Mirza

This book delivers:

• A list of traits of the covert narcissist and how they look like in daily life
• The differences between an overt and a covert narcissist
• A checklist to see if you are with a covert narcissist
• Real-life stories to illustrate what these traits look like
• Explanations of different covert techniques narcissists use to control and manipulate
• A chapter dedicated to what sex looks like with a covert narcissist
• Descriptions of covertly narcissistic parents Information on what it looks like to have a covertly narcissistic boss or co-worker
• A chapter on healing to help give you tools and hope for a beautiful future, free of toxic relationships.

4. Out of the Fog

By Dana Morningstar

The FOG is an acronym that stands for “Fear, Obligation, and Guilt.” These three emotions are often at the core of manipulation and are often how narcissists, sociopaths, and other types of emotional manipulators go about controlling their targets. 

The author makes simple distinctions between what is healthy and unhealthy.

5. POWER

By Shahida Arabi

Shahida Arabi’s articles on narcissistic abuse have gained renown as some of the most accurate and in-depth depictions of this terrifying trauma, resonating with millions of survivors all over the world and receiving endorsements from numerous mental health professionals. In this essay compilation, readers can enjoy some of her most popular articles as well as new thought pieces on narcissistic abuse: what therapists have to say about malignant narcissists and how children of narcissistic parents can become trapped in the trauma repetition cycle.

6. Gaslighting & Narcissistic Abuse Recovery

By Don Barlow

In Gaslighting & Narcissistic Abuse Recovery, you will discover:

• The sneaky tactics gaslighters employ that catch you off-guard and make you more vulnerable to their exploitation
• How to hold on to your grip on reality, despite the gaslighter’s efforts to undermine it
• Powerful ways to respond to gaslighters, block their attacks, and take back control of the conversation
• Why self-care is a critical component in coping with abuse, especially if you need to regularly interact with a gaslighter
• The shift in mindset to help you finally gain the courage to escape an abusive relationship
• What you need to do after leaving a gaslighting relationship to make sure you don’t fall into the same cycle again
• Why you shouldn’t expect any closure from your abuser, and why you can still move on without it
• How to rebuild your sense of self after years of being torn down by othersAnd much more.

7. The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Dealing with Toxic People

By Shahida Arabi MA

In The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide to Dealing with Toxic People, you’ll learn evidence-based skills grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help you recognize and shut down the common manipulation tactics used by toxic people, such as gaslighting, stonewalling, projection, covert put-downs, and love bombing. You’ll also discover targeted tips to protect yourself from the five main types of toxic people:

• Garden-variety boundary-steppers
• Crazymakers and attention-seekers
• Emotional vampires
• Narcissists
• Sociopaths and psychopaths  

8. You Can Thrive After Narcissistic Abuse

By Melanie Tonia Evans

In this book, you will learn how to:

• recognize if you are in an abusive relationship
• detach or remove yourself from the narcissist’s ability to affect or abuse you
• identify your subconscious programming, release it, and replace it
• focus on healing yourself to become empowered to thrive and not just survive

With thousands of patients successfully treated worldwide, this revolutionary program is designed to heal you from the inside out.

9. Children of the Self-Absorbed

By Nina W Brown EdD LPC

Children of the Self-Absorbed offers clear definitions of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder to help you identify the extent of your parent’s problem. You’ll learn the different types of destructive narcissism and how to recognize their effects on your relationships. Packed with proven techniques, you’ll realize that you’re not helpless against your parent’s behavior, and that you don’t have to give up on the relationship. Instead, you’ll find realistic strategies and steps for setting up mutually agreed upon behaviors, so you can fulfill your own emotional needs.

In this new edition, you’ll discover:

• Skills for managing intense emotions
• Tools for building character, self-esteem, and self-acceptance
• How kindness and gratitude can promote self-healing
• How to build trust and empathy with others

10. The Narcissism Recovery Workbook

By Brenda Stephens MS LPCC

This narcissistic abuse recovery workbook can be used on its own or alongside The Narcissism Recovery Journal to further reflect on and grow from your experiences.

• Healing practices—Start your recovery with guided exercises that will help you reclaim your identity and set healthy boundaries.
• Tried-and-true methods—Exercises rooted in positive psychology, CBT, meditation, and other proven therapeutic approaches empower you to make lasting changes.
• Real-life experiences—Find strength from the knowledge that you aren’t alone thanks to stories of others who overcame narcissistic abuse.