The Disowned Self

In The Disowned Self, Nathaniel Branden (author of 'The Psychology of Self-Esteem' and 'Breaking Free') addresses himself to one of the most important problems of our age: the problem of self-alienation - a condition in which the individual is out of contact with his own needs, feelings, emotions, frustrations and longings, so that he is largely oblivious to his actual self, and his life is the reflection of an unreal self, of a role he has adopted. Mr. Branden explores the origins of this problem, its symptoms and consequences - and the means of its therapeutic correction. Moving back and forth between theoretical analysis and dramatic case histories, he illuminates a problem so frightening that many people's energies are drained in the effort to deny its existence. In providing solutions for this problem, Mr. Branden has developed a number of exciting and powerful therapeutic techniques which help the individual break through the barrier of emotional repression and bring to light denied and disowned thoughts, feelings and desires - the "disowned self" which lies beneath the mask presented to the world. The end result is to release not only buried problems, but also to release buried greatness - the unrealized potential for growth, achievement and fulfillment that most people have never discovered.