Description
John Wiley Reptiles in Love Ending Destructive Fights and Evolving Toward More Loving Relationships 2012 Edition by Don Ferguson
Nagging, snide comments, passive-aggressive tendencies, running away, childish insults; sometimes even the most loving couples can revert to their primitive nature. Don Ferguson, a psychologist and relationship therapist, has discovered that no matter how evolved we think we are, our reptilian brain is still primed for instantaneous reactions and fight-or-flight. This syndrome can rule relationships and in the end destroy them. Through the latest neurological research, Ferguson has discovered how to manage our primitive reactions with thoughtful, 'new brain' interventions. Written in a highly entertaining and readable way, Reptiles in Love has an answer for helping couples to stop attacking each other and transform their dysfunctional, prehistoric relationship into a more evolved and loving partnership. Table of contents :- Preface: Be Like Elvis! But Less Dead vii Introduction 1 Part I: Understanding the Reptile in Us 1. The Dinosaur Legacy: Why We Fight Poorly 13 2. Lizard Madness: Understanding Methods and Cycles in Stupid Fighting 35 Part II: Five Steps to Ending Destructive Fights and Evolving Toward More Loving Relationships 3. Step One: Assess Your Relationship 61 4. Step Two: Learn to Communicate in a Nonreptilian Manner 89 5. Step Three: Clarify Your Needs and Fears Together 109 6. Step Four: Add Positives and Build Intimacy 129 7. Step Five: Learn Nonreptilian Lovemaking 147 Part III: Special Issues for Evolving Reptiles 8. Once Bitten ... : Surviving Betrayal 169 9. Reptiles in Therapy: An Introduction to Couples Therapy 193 10. Pure Divorce: If You Must, End and Leave Fully Human 209 Afterword: A Few Words in Closing 223 Notes 225 Resources 235 About the Author 247 Index 249