91´«Ã½-Meridian mental health professor ‘defeats the giant’ with book release on narcissistic personality disorder
Contact: Marianne Todd
MERIDIAN, Miss.—It took 40 years and a Mississippi State doctorate in counselor education before Rosanne Nunnery saw the giant that had knocked her down her entire life as the child of a parent with narcissistic personality disorder.
“After that, it became my passion to help people recognize narcissistic abuse and how to help themselves heal from that exposure,†said Nunnery, who in March celebrated the release of her new book “Defeating the Giant: A Guide to Recognizing and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse.â€
An 91´«Ã½-Meridian associate clinical professor of counselor education, Nunnery signed book copies for readers earlier this month at the Riley Campus Bulldog Shop.
Realizing her trauma was a gift to help others, Nunnery took the vulnerable step in sharing the pain of her upbringing.
“It lowers the person’s self-esteem, and they lose their identity,†Nunnery said of the mental health condition indicated by inflated self-importance. “This book walks you through building that identity back up.â€
The mental health condition’s name originates from Narcisus, a Greek mythological god who couldn’t stop looking at himself, she said. People may suffer for years in such relationships because the narcissist thinks nothing is wrong with them, she added.
“If they are in treatment, it’s usually court ordered,†she said, explaining that the disorder is created from a dysfunctional childhood. “They lack awareness, insight and empathy, and they think others are the cause of everything wrong in their lives.â€
The 190-page book details common behaviors of those with NPD and how they might hide their illness.
“They can have a public face and a different face at home,†Nunnery said. “They’re very manipulative. You won’t recognize them at first, and that’s why people get duped. They look for people who are vulnerable.â€
Nunnery said she had a sudden moment of discovery after earning her Ph.D. in counselor education at 91´«Ã½ that helped her identify her parent’s condition.
“Then my book grew in my heart and in my head for about 10 years before I actually started writing it,†she said.
“It takes enormous courage to share a traumatic lived experience to help and educate others,†said David Buys, associate vice provost of Health Sciences and interim head of campus for 91´«Ã½-Meridian. “This tremendous effort speaks to our faculty’s commitment to positive mental health and enhances our understanding of the effects of untreated illnesses and healing processes.â€
Nunnery’s effort guides future counselors, said Kim Hall, professor and associate dean of 91´«Ã½-Meridian’s Division of Education.
“Her courage in sharing her story offers valuable insight,†said Hall, whose division trains mental health counselors.
In 2024, Nunnery contracted with Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, a division of Bloomsbury Publishing. “Defeating the Giant†retails for $35 and can be found in most bookstore retailers and online at Amazon.
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