Invisible Masters: Compulsions and the Fear that Drives Them

George Weinberg is a nationally celebrated author and one of the most prominent psychotherapists of our time. From such best-sellers as Self Creation and The Action Approach to the classic The Heart of Psychotherapy to his critically acclaimed collections of case histories, The Taboo Scarf and Nearer to the Heart's Desire, Weinberg has forged an outstanding reputation for his work on both the clinical and the popular sides of psychology. Now comes this groundbreaking study of compulsive behavior: what it is, how it comes to be, how it shapes our lives, and, most important, what we can do to change it. Although only a small percentage of the population suffers from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, all of us, to some degree, are held hostage by behaviors that we unconsciously believe will protect us from ourselves - or at least those parts of ourselves that we have deemed unacceptable. Weaving together alternating chapters of informal discussions of the psychological underpinnings of the phenomenon with actual case histories that are as compelling as the best mystery stories, Weinberg illuminates this prevalent yet often misunderstood aspect of human psychology. With tenderness, courage, and vast insight, George Weinberg offers us the key to liberating ourselves from our compulsions, allowing us to truly become masters of our own lives. And with breathtaking clarity and sureness, he makes the most elusive sides of our psyches visible in a way that is both instructive and entertaining.