The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

By: Gabor Maté MD, Daniel Maté

Narrated by: Daniel Maté

Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

"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.

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.

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.

Insightful

Helps one understand trauma it’s affect on us as a society , culture , how to identify it and heal.

Ahead of it's time & Long overdue!

So great! Self-help, clinical, medical, natural, so many uses. Opening the window to start to view the real world.

Excellent

Thank you for the AWAKENING , EMPOWERING OUR WHOLE BEING TO SHINE,WORK AT UNDERSTAND AND VALUE THE ADVERSITY IN OUR LIFES and That of Others.

Took me a while to get through because it’s intensely thought provoking

Took me a while to get through because it’s intensely thought provoking. I find myself very moved by the content of this book. The writing is on the wall as a society, how do we choose to move forward? Working toward authenticity. I’m going to listen a 2nd time as soon as these final chapters sink in a bit more. Also enjoyed his book Hold on to your Kids and looking forward to watching Wisdom of Trauma. Thank you for the knowledge and guidance, Dr Mate. I wish you would have been the narrator, though.

Please Dr Mate read your OWN masterpiece to us

Very sad about the narration on this epic book. It sounds condescending, like a lecturer perfunctorily going through a class presentation. It interferes with absorbing the brilliant content. I tried many different chapters but could not tolerate the tone or rhythm of the speaker. When Dr Mate presents his understandings on live events, it is powerful, heartfelt, and life enriching.

very well written

thoroughly enjoyed listening to thus book and the examples provided were engaging. I recommend this book to any individual conquering trauma.