The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture

By: Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté

Narrated by: Daniel Maté

Brought to you by Penguin.

We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world?

Mental illness is on an unstoppable rise. Some 45 percent of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug. Illness and trauma are defining how we live.

In his new masterpiece, renowned physician, addiction expert and author Gabor Maté dissects the underlying causes of this malaise—physical and emotional, and connects the dots between our personal suffering and the pressures of modern-day living. Over four decades of clinical experience, Dr Maté has found that the common definition of 'normal' is false: virtually all disease is actually a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture, as we grow further and further apart from our true selves. But he also shows us the pathway to reconnection and healing.

Filled with stories of people in the grip of illness or in the triumphant wake of recovery, this life-affirming audiobook shows how true health is possible—if we are willing to embrace authenticity above social expectations. The Myth of Normal is Gabor Maté's most ambitious, compassionate and urgent book yet.

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

A must read for trauma survivors and psychologist’s

As survivor with C-PTSD who have been working hard on healing it the last 5 years. This book hits the mark on so many levels. Well researched, and the interviews mentioned adds to the overall understanding of the subject matter. It’s relevant in my experience and I’ll definitely be recommending this book.

Read it, don't listen to it on Audible.

It was very difficult to listen to this kid. Such profound and life altering ideas, delivered by someone without the necessary gravitas.
I found his voice and delivery to be very distracting and irritating.
Would have been incredible to hear Gabor read it himself. There is so much in his voice. A missed opportunity in my view.

Great one!

His own stories are great and I liked that he includes alternative medicine like psychedelics

Waking Up

An encouragement to challenge the status quo while exercising agency, acceptance, authenticity, advocacy, action, constructive and healthy anger, and activism.

A beautiful and important book

This book draws on Maté’s extensive research and experience around issues of stress, illness, addiction and trauma and offers some potentially life changing insights