The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

De: Gabor Maté MD, Daniel Maté

Narrado por: Daniel Maté

The instant New York Times bestseller

By the acclaimed author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of illness, a bracing critique of how our society breeds disease, and a pathway to health and healing.

In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?

Over four decades of clinical experience, Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health. For all our expertise and technological sophistication, Western medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture stresses the body, burdens the immune system, and undermines emotional balance. Now Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the maladies of individuals and the declining soundness of society—and offers a compassionate guide for health and healing. Cowritten with his son Daniel, The Myth of Normal is Maté’s most ambitious and urgent book yet.

©2022 Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"In The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté takes us on an epic journey of discovery about how our emotional well-being, and our social connectivity (in short: how we live), is intimately intertwined with health, disease and addictions. Chronic mental and physical illnesses may not be separate and distinct diseases, but intricate, multilayered processes that reflect (mal)adaptations to the cultural context that we live in, and the values we live by. This riveting and beautifully written tale has profound implications for all of our lives, including the practice of medicine and mental health."—Bessel A. van der Kolk MD, President, Trauma Research Foundation, Professor of psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, #1 New York Times Bestseller: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma

"Gabor and Daniel Maté have created a magnificent resource for us all in The Myth of Normal, a powerful, in-depth, science-packed, inspiring story-filled opus that helps us see how stress within our culture shapes our well-being in all its facets. By carefully reviewing medical and mental health through a wide lens of inquiry, they challenge simplistic views of disease and disorder to offer instead a wider perspective on human flourishing that has direct implications for how we live individually, at home, and as a larger human family. A thorough and inspiring work of the heart, this book urges us to question our assumptions and think deeply about who we are and how we can live more fully and freely, harnessing the power of the mind to bring healing and wholeness into our shared lives on Earth."—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, Executive Director, Mindsight Institute, New York Times bestselling author of IntraConnected: MWe (Me plus We) as the integration of self, identity, and belonging

"Wise, sophisticated, rigorous and creative: an intellectual and compassionate investigation of who we are and who we may become. Essential reading for anyone with a past and a future."—Tara Westover, New York Times bestselling author, Educated

A book I hope everyone would read

As a longtime fan of Dr. Gabor Maté, I am so grateful for this latest read. It’s an in depth review of how our sick culture doesn’t actually support us. The world we have designed and currently live in works against us.

The Myth of Normal offers opportunities to practice and further instruction to journal and put into practice the Compassionate Self Inquire Dr. Maté has created. I found this very useful and will be re-reading and utilizing.

I found it especially endearing that he wrote this books with his son, Daniel Maté.

My most sincere gratitude to the whole Maté family for their efforts, and to the man himself- Gabor, you have outdone yourself. Thank you for this contribution.

insightful but as with all advice, take w a grain

I found it interesting and helpful in some areas. Definitely worth the read.Would recommend but take all advice with a grain of salt and remember to think for yourself.

Incredibly enlightening

This book has changed my life. I can’t believe I only just discovered Dr. Maté. His approach to a trauma informed society needs to be spread far and wide. I learned so much about myself as well as my soon to be ex and his family and the “why” around their abusive behaviors. With this knowledge, I can move forward in my own healing and also forgive.

Excellent Trauma Awareness

A very insightful book on trauma and how it can affect so many faucets of a persons life with responses as unique a each of us. This books has so many informative examples/lessons on trauma and how that may play out in interactions with the world and health. While there are some examples of political views they are there to showcase societal trauma. Look past your political opinions and just give space to the content and effect of how it may be traumatic to someone else. I highly recommend this book to literally everyone. We should all strive to be more trauma aware. This alone would completely change how we interact with ourselves and each other.

Waking up!

I enjoyed the book tremendously! I feel I learned so much about myself and the world. This is a book I will listen to over and over. Even if you had a so called happy childhood, this is a must read for every human on this planet. Healing is possible! Thank you Gabor Mate! I finally have the courage to acknowledge, feel, and say the word incest! Tears of gratitude! Next stop, advocate and activism!

Outstanding work by Gabor and Daniel Mate'

wonderfully comprehensive discussion of the complex issue of trauma and personal growth. This book was time well spent.

Uncle Gabor with that good good medicine

This is a book I want every version to. I listen on audible while driving or beading. I also want the physical book in my hand to sit down by the fire and read.
So much truth, knowledge and healing. The potential is endless. Our society has marked untruths as “normal.” Let’s talk about how it’s actually not normal to be so disconnected from self… and then let’s connect. Let’s normalize true healing and love life to our fullest potential. It is possible.

❤️‍🔥

Provocative, interesting and insightful

A must read for anyone in therapy and anyone doing therapy. Also, the world would benefit if it was required reading for all leaders.

The taking on of the accents of different people highlighted in the book was weird and uncomfortable. There must be a better way.

Life changing

This book helped me understand Authenticity in a way I can apply to my daily life. I was suppressing so much. I didn't know until after listening to this book what this meant for me, I do now, thank you!

I love Gabor’s work but…

His son as narrator giving his impressions of French and British accents took my attention away from the content. He’s almost trying to hard and that was distracting.