Dr. Drew Book: “Mirror Effect” Hunger for Celebrity, Wide-Ranging Psychological Dysfunction

Dr. Drew Pinsky has co-authored “The Mirror Effect” with Dr. Mark S. Young — publishing their striking study of narcissism among celebrities. The Celebrity Rehab host and addiction specialist (Dr. Drew) and business/entertainment expert (Dr. Young) discovered that a high proportion of celebrities suffer from traits associated with clinical narcissism—including vanity, exhibitionism, entitlement, exploitativeness, self-sufficiency, authority, and superiority.

The authors warn that in the last decade, the entertainment industry has changed dramatically and dangerously. Not only are stars hurting themselves, as exemplified by the daily dose of celebrity bad behavior and crash and burn news (DUI’s, drug overdoses and reality-TV presentations); the public consumption is affecting vulnerable people who mirror the celebrity traits in their own behavior.

The book explores how YouTube, online social networks such as Facebook and Myspace, and personal blogs offer the dangers of instant celebrity to the most vulnerable of citizens in America.

The book also offers distinct examples of stars like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Amy Winehouse and media enablers, such as TMZ, Perez Hilton, and Gawker, have changed the definition of “normal behavior.”

The Mirror Effect raises important questions about our changing culture—and provides insights for parents, young people, and anyone who wonders what celebrity culture is doing to America.

The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism Is Seducing America was made available on Amazon on March 17, 2009.