Learn to understand the unaddressed symptom of mental health
In I Hate Myself: Overcome Self-Hatred and Realize Why You're Wrong About You, internationally known Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School Dr. Blaise Aguirre tackles the pervasive and often ignored issue of self-hatred. This book provides crucial insights into identifying and overcoming this deeply disturbing feeling, explaining why common practices of "self-care" or "self-love" often fall short in cases where self-hatred has become an integral part of a person's identity.
Dr. Aguirre shares compelling first-hand accounts from patients who have battled and conquered self-hatred, revealing the severe impact this feeling has on people from all walks of life and their loved ones. The book delves into the roots of self-hatred, associated mental health disorders, and offers practical strategies for overcoming these challenges.
In the book, you will:
- Learn to identify the origins and signs of self-hatred
- Understand the connection between self-hatred and suicidal behavior as well as to co-occurring disorders like borderline personality disorder and depression
- Discover effective strategies for transforming self-loathing into self-compassion
Perfect for those struggling with self-hatred and their loved ones, as well as mental health professionals, I Hate Myself offers a compassionate and practical approach to achieving self-acceptance. Start your journey towards healing today and embrace the self-worth you deserve.
Table of Contents
Foreword vii
Introduction xi
Structure of the Book xvii
Part 1 Understanding Self-hatred 1
1 What Is Self-Hatred? 3
2 Why Is Overcoming Self-Hatred So Critical? 23
3 Common Signs of Self-Hatred 33
4 The Lived Experience 51
5 What Is the Self That You Are Hating? 65
Part 2 Roots of Self-hatred 75
6 Where Does Self-Hatred Come From? 77
7 Could It Be Temperament or Biology? 99
Part 3 Self-hatred in Mental Health 105
8 Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Self-Hatred 107
9 Other Psychiatric Diagnoses and Self-Hatred 117
10 Other Personality Traits and Self-Hatred 129
Part 4 Treatment and Overcoming Barriers to Treatment 137
11 Targeting Self-Hatred 139
12 Why Is Self-Hatred So Hard to Tackle? 173
13 Reflections of Therapists 187
14 Advice from Those with Lived Experience 197
15 Alternative Treatment Ideas 231
Part 5 Finding Hope and Technology’s Limits 249
16 The Dawn of Hope 251
17 AI’s Take on Self-Hatred 257
Afterword 263
References 265
I Hate Myself 273
Acknowledgments and Gratitude 275
About the Author 277
Index 279
