This practical book equips practitioners with evidence-based diagnostic and treatment tools to help people overcome lasting embitterment or posttraumatic embitterment disorder. An accompanying book for clients is also available.

1 The Emotion Embitterment 1.1 Emotional Reaction to Humiliation, Vilification, and Injustice 1.2 Theory of Emotion 1.3 Function of Embitterment 1.4 Violation of Basic Beliefs 1.5 Psychology of Belief in a Just World 1.6 Injustice and Embitterment in a Societal Context 2 Resilience and Protective Factors Against Negative Life Events 2.1 Wisdom 2.2 Forgiveness 2.3 Intelligence and Problem-Solving Skills 2.4 Emotional Intelligence 2.5 Sense of Coherence 2.6 Morality 3 Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder 3.1 Clinical Picture 3.2 Definition and Diagnostic Criteria of PTED 3.3 Differential Diagnosis of PTED 3.3.1 Differentiation of Intrusions, Rumination, and Associated Symptoms 3.3.2 Differentiation Among PTED and Other Mental Disorders 3.3.3 Differentiation Among PTED and Other Forms of Bitterness 3.4 Embitterment and Aggression 3.5 Epidemiology and Course of Embitterment and PTED 3.5.1 Frequency 3.5.2 Course 4 Diagnosis of Embitterment Disorder 4.1 Self-Rating and Screening Instruments 4.2 Standardized Diagnostic Interview for PTED 5 Treatment of PTED 5.1 General Therapy Problems 5.2 Building a Therapeutic Relationship 5.3 Examination of the Critical Life Event 5.4 Examination of Intrusions, Emotions, Fantasies of Revenge, and Changes in Everyday Life 5.5 Agreement on Treatment Goals and Motivation to Change 5.6 Wisdom Therapy 5.6.1 The General Structure of Wisdom Therapy 5.6.2 The Method of Insolvable Problems 5.6.3 Identification With a Fictional Victim 5.6.4 Perception and Acceptance of Emotions 5.6.5 Change of Perspective 5.6.6 Empathy and Compassion 5.6.7 Contextualism 5.6.8 Value Relativism 5.6.9 Self-Relativization 5.6.10 Self-Distancing 5.6.11 Emotional Serenity and Humor 5.6.12 Relativization of Aspirations 5.6.13 Long-Term Perspective 5.6.14 Uncertainty Tolerance 5.6.15 Knowledge of Facts and Procedures 5.6.16 Goal Clarification and Model Problem Solvers 5.6.17 Aphorisms Expressing Wisdom 5.7 Exposure 5.8 Salutotherapy and Promoting Activity and New Perspectives 5.9 Endangerment of Self and Others 5.10 Treatment Efficacy 6 Socio-Medical and Juridical Aspects 6.1 Incapacity to Work 6.2 Forensic Aspects 6.3 Criminal Liability 7 Conclusion and Outlook 8 References 9 Appendix: Tools and Resources

PTED (post-traumatic embitterment disorder) challenges even the most experienced of therapists. Many of the symptoms overlap with other disorders, in particular PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), but it is almost unique in that the patient does not believe they are the problem. The book is written for therapists as if the author knows their struggle with PTED patients all too well. He begins the process teaching readers that a new approach is necessary – “wisdom therapy” allows the readers inspiration to customize his vignettes to the patient with whom they are working. This practical guide to introducing wisdom therapy into the therapeutic conversation can turn the tables without patients realizing their thoughts might actually change for the better – a valuable tool in the toolbox!; Jill N. Littrell, BA, MA, MA, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, in Doody’s Reviews (November 2022)