Dealing with the CrazyMakers in Your Life: Setting Boundaries on Unhealthy Relationships

His writing style is a delight. It's obvious he has experience in this subject and it feels more like he's explaining it all to you in person, than reading a book. His progression through this topic feels very natural. I had wondered a few times about other aspects as I was reading, and then he'd address those very aspects a few pages or paragraphs later. So far I'm about 115 pages in and this has already helped calm my inner processing after having dealt with many a crazy-maker. This guy is a treasure, I look forward to reading more of his books. If you have the time, check out his YouTube videos. He has a heart and mind for helping those seeking real solutions about difficult relationships, emotional maturity, etc.

When dealing with those folks in my life that seem to live to make me miserable and cause problems, it makes clear the problem(s) really belong to those troublemakers. This book gives clear and concise ways to handle almost any situation that those crazymakers throw at me without giving MY power away by dealing out the wrong responses and/or retaliation based on my own fickle feelings. It was an eyeopener into what makes these folks tick and made me have sympathy and understanding for these folks in my life as they are the ones that are truly suffering....not those of us that they make crazy! Empowering reading!

This book is insightful and will guide you toward resolution of difficult people in your life and the games they play with you, for their benefit. Life is challenging enough without having to sidestep people who are neurotics with agendas that destroy rather than build you up. I liked the conversational style the psychologist Dr. David Hawkins uses at the beginning of the book to ease his way into the "gold" -- the issues and tissues stuff. He writes frankly, from years of psychotherapy experience as well as experiences freely shared from his own life confrontations. At first I thought "I" was at fault. Now I realize in many instances I was merely a sounding board for difficult people, crazy making people, to fixate on my kind nature and listening ear. It's refreshing to know that I can now manage to deactivate interpersonal games quickly and without "trauma drama." If you are tired of being a victim of the infantile narcissist, grab an herbal and this book. You are in for quite a journey toward mental health...with or without Toto at your side.

Be Prepared for the Christian references which is not at all bad but just as an awareness. The book is 90% identifying crazy makers and does that very well. As for how to best handle dealing with them, that left me unsatisfied. The book is mostly about family members so not very helpful with coworkers and neighbors. I decided keeping my distance is my only solution.

Good read

Excellent book! Really hit home and helped me in my journey. Good therapy if you have a crazy-maker in your life And helps coping with the aftermath

Ok so Pros of this book: To me this book mainly spent alot of time explaining how to spot different types of crazy makers,how they do it however 9 chapeters later it is helpful in giving advice on how to deal with them. One thing I kept to heart is that "boundaries have edges" Which basically means that if you tell someone No or whatnot you are not wrong even if it hurts someones feelings because you must have boundaries. This has always been a issue for me allowing the crazymakers to run me over as I was worried what they would think of me, hurting feeling and etc..So it did what it told you it would do. Cons: There is alot of religious reference in the book, I would have avoided buying if I had realized before hand. I have read ALOT of self help type books and this book had ALOT of other book references. It almost seemed that every other page the auther was referencing what another author said it another book. Several times I wondered if I should be reading a their book instead of this one.r

Great book identifying the personality types that will drive any rational person crazy. I should have learned this stuff in college or earlier in life. Savvy people know this stuff, but I had to read this book to get a handle on the subject. The book does rely on a Christian thematic at times. It did not bother me, as actually the crazy ones need lots of help, and it can only come from God; and the only way you can heal is by forgiveness. And for humans that is very hard to do after having dealt with a crazy maker. This book was so useful I have passed it on to others. This book opened up my shut eyes.

This book is excellent. I learned a great deal about a member of my family who is borderline and also about myself. I am learning how to avoid getting drawn into decades-old arguments . I know how to end a conversation that has no purpose other than to create chaos. I know how to back away without feeling guilt. Already other family members are interested in purchasing this book . I'm so grateful that the author, Dr. Hawkins, chose to share his knowlege with the world. This book is tool to help you understand the Crazymakers in your life and you will want to share it with others!

Glad I bought it as it consolidates what I knew from various sources. And it helpful. I keep remembering “Don’t get hooked” and it helps me.

Our counsellors highly recommend it.

I have several books from this author. He is clearly very knowledgeable and his books have saved me from time to time. This book did have some good examples of crazy makers and how to deal with them. I would have hope for more depth however, as some of the crazy maker personalities can be so toxic and dangerous. This book did not quite go into that side of it as much as I would have liked. However, it was very enjoyable to read and some of the stories were brilliant. I know this author is religious and often mentions scriptures in all of his books, which I find interesting and do not mind at all however, I did think they were overdone is this particular book, with something on almost every page. This was slightly annoying for a spiritual but non religious person like me. All in all a good book but not as good as some of his others.

Some really helpful categories to understand and navigate emotional abuse: the sufferer, the control freak, etc. I did find the content a bit repetitive and diffuse. Overall a worthwhile read. Dr. David Hawkins is an expert in this area and has helped me a lot.