Description
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.
Sophie Rose (verified owner) –
I am not finished with the book quite yet. I pre ordered months ago and just received a few days ago. But I don’t need to finish to urge people to look no further. Gabor Mate’s work is prolific. Not because he is some genius or prophet but because this book is made up of everything he has learned from listening to other people. Truly compassionately listening to their pain and suffering. Dedicating his life to helping people heal, understand themselves, and ultimately find themselves again. along the way working on finding healing himself after suffering traumas from being born during the holocaust. He is a sensitive soul living with his eyes wide open. If we all can learn to even just take moments to glimpse at the world and understand illness, health, and wellness the way he does not only will we be better off but so too will the world. I am a therapist a fellow traveler and witness among peoples journey towards healing and this book is an invaluable gift.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
With this marvelous book Gábor Máté has reached the pantheon of self-help authors, joining Alice Miller, Eckhart Tolle and Ingeborg Bosch. No BS, and very readable. Beautifully written, and well edited.If you sense that something deep inside is not quite right, this book is a must.
Alisa Minkin (verified owner) –
To quote Dr Mate quoting James Baldwin, “everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced”
Dr Mate synthesizes his previous works on trauma, parenting, addiction and more in this book. The myth of normal refers to all the ways we are hurting ourselves, as individuals and as societies, which we are unaware of and therefore think are ” normal” . The ” toxic culture” referred to in the subtitle goes way beyond physical toxins to include all the ways we are disconnected from our authentic selves and from each other. He writes extensively about the failure to address trauma and connect mind and body in modern medicine, and many other aspects of our society where we are sabotaging ourselves.
I love that Dr Mate, currently 78, is still an optimist and is so passionate about his vision of a world where we are connected to our true selves and to each other.
C (verified owner) –
This book is divided into five parts, with 33 chapters, and a total of about 497 pages, not including the Acknowledgements/Notes/Index.
In the Introduction, Maté gives a summary of his reasons for writing the book, and he explains his basic premise: “It is my contention that by its very nature our social and economic culture generates chronic stressors that undermine well-being in the most serious of ways,”.
In Part 1 – ‘Our Interconnected Nature’, Maté begins by discussing trauma, and the lasting effects of traumatic experiences, even ones from infancy. He also explores the body-mind connection, with the contention that our physical wellbeing is even more linked to our thoughts than most people realize. Maté cites various research studies and examples from his professional life to further illustrate his points. He quotes various neuroscientists and geneticists, and he explains how outside influences even affect our immune systems.
In Part 2, Maté discusses early life and the developmental needs of children. He covers the effects of stress, even in the womb before the child is born. He gives some perspective on childbirth, early stages of development, parenting styles, the effects of screentime, and cultural norms.
In Part 3 Maté gives his thoughts about diseases and addictions potentially being adaptations to the environment. He discusses various types of addictions, and some myths and misconceptions about mental illnesses.
Part 4 shifts the focus to society as a whole, and the ways that modern societies can be a source of stressors that lead to illness. Maté covers economic stress, dislocation and loneliness, neuromarketing, Big Food and Big Pharma, inequalities of race, class, and gender, and political division.
In Part 5 Maté wraps up by offering some ideas about healing and wholeness. He talks about the four A’s: Authenticity, Agency, Anger and Acceptance. He offers his thoughts about compassion, and how to learn from modern diseases. He discusses how to improve self-awareness, and how to learn to say “No”. Maté also talks about psychedelics and spirituality, before giving a few final words about the path to a healthier future society.
Overall, I liked this book. I was intrigued by Maté’s take on these lesser-studied large scale issues, and I thought that he made some very good points. This topic is difficult to write a very scientific book on though, because there are so many vague concepts and multi-faceted issues, that it becomes almost impossible to prove some of his assertions. I think that there is some good advice here towards the end of the book, and many parts really encouraged me to think more deeply; but also, the general concept of society/culture contributing to illness is such a broad topic that it is hard to really feel like there are great solutions. Still, I don’t regret reading this one.
Prefers Small Local Stores (verified owner) –
Dr Gabor Mate is a gifted writer and includes many reputable sources. While the subject matter of the book is not a light topic, the most disturbing part of the book to me was his promotion of a particular retreat center in Peru, and the knowledge of his personal journey which while humble is also somewhat shocking that he speaks with such authority yet seems to have done so little personal experiential work himself. The retreat center that he references in Peru promotes themselves as being safe and qualified yet anyone in the plant medicine world will tell you that they have crossed paths with people who have been severely traumatized by the center. While Matthew W, the retreat founder is a businessman, he has very strategically allied with Dr Mate. I personally attended a retreat at the site mentioned where someone had a psychotic break and the retreat center released him to go home and unfortunately he never made it home. Instead after roaming recklessly in the airport, he ended up in a mental hospital. The center never even checked up on his fellow retreat participants who were the ones left to try to help him in the airport. There was another incident where a facilitator was talking negatively about a prior participant and breaking their confidentiality. And another incident not long ago where someone needed to be airlifted out of the jungle because of the “vomitivo” practices at the retreat center. The person nearly died. Not to mention, the integration program is not led by licensed therapists or trauma certified staff. And, the center has notoriously had a difficult time retaining facilitators both due to their inadequate compensation and spiritual bypassing. So, the fact that Gabor Mate affiliates himself with such an organization and has even gone so far to promote such an organization is questionable and disturbing given the responsibility that comes with his reputation and position of power. Sadly, while this book highlights the fallback of our society it also promotes them.
Elisa (verified owner) –
So much appreciation for Gabor’s work and his newest book written with his son, Daniel. While I’ve followed Gabor Mate’s work for a few years, this is the first book of his that I bought and I am highlighting the heck out of it! I just resonate so much that every few pages I find myself filled with emotion and gratitude for this book. It’s full of research and common sense and just an overall outstanding message for the world. Thank you thank you!!!!
Mama2Two (verified owner) –
I am about halfway through the book so far. While it is definitely fascinating and thought-provoking, parts of it are hard to follow as an ordinary lay person not skilled in any medical or psychological field.
Ella Rose (verified owner) –
I wish the world would listen. Thank you Dr Mate for this book. Among other things your words have released me from so much guilt shame and self hatred. It’s not my fault. I am good enough. And thank you!!
Wins Lim (verified owner) –
With the unconcitional compassion from his soul and his depth of human experience Gabor has uncovered the deep root causes of our trauma and presented practical ideas on how to move forward with uncovering our true loving natures.
Thank you for the inspired guidance !
Micky Mac (verified owner) –
This book is unbelievable. I’ve learned so much about trauma and it’s effects on life. It’s helped me tremendously with my PTSD and how to counter its effects. A must buy for all who have trauma both big T and small t types.
Steve Van Kleeck (verified owner) –
This book was incredible. It is a great read to understand why our culture is riddled with so much trauma and pain. Knowing and understanding the information is a great step in making huge changes in our culture. I recommended this book to everyone I know!
cinhof (verified owner) –
I had never heard of Dr. Mate until I listened to a recent interview that Dr. Mark Hyman had with him about this book. What great timing for me, as I have been struggling with a series of health issues that I now connect in part to job stresses, residues of growing up in a dysfunctional home, and the difficulties of trying to survive in an increasingly “toxic” society. Dr. Mate’s introductory story about the surfacing of feelings from his infant self (as a 70+ year old) drew me in immediately. I am almost 54 and still have pockets of repressed/suppressed feelings that need to be cleared, so I recognized myself as Dr. Mate revealed different aspects of his personal story in this book. The weaving into the book of Dr. Mate’s personal experiences and the personal stories of many survivors of abuses in childhood resonated with me, as I, too, survived some awful events in childhood. The breadth and depth of material covered in this book is incredible, and backed up with a long list of scientific research that is well documented at the end of the book. Although complex topics are covered (for example, epigenetics, or changes in expression of genes due to signals from the environment; stresses to a mother during pregnancy can be transmitted to the growing baby; multigenerational transfer of trauma), Dr. Mate writes in a very down to earth way that I could easily understand. There were so many light bulb moments for me when reading this book … like it helped me realize that I almost never expressed anger openly towards my parents while growing up (even though I should have based on how they treated me). My way of surviving in my dysfunctional family was to be compliant, quiet and not call much attention to myself. Well, that worked for awhile as a child and into early adulthood, but the repressed anger and sadness were still stored in my psyche and body, and CONTINUE to affect me and how I relate to people. I went into a scientific career where I could blend in behind the scenes and not call too much attention to myself. This book helped me better understand that the childhood adaptations that automatically happen to survive a dysfunctional family helped me survive. But, now I am ready for the healing (becoming whole) that Dr. Mate talks about in his book. I have been listening to additional YouTube videos that feature Dr. Mate’s work. This book has helped me immensely and led me to other authors that I think will be helpful to me (Tara Brach). For me, the book brought awareness to some of my personal issues, and helped me better understand the multi-generational transfer of trauma. I have more compassion for myself, my parents and people, in general.
Thank you, so much, Dr. Mate!
JEN (verified owner) –
There is so much in this book. From early childhood, to society. To addiction, to trauma, parenting styles, medical history and how it matters to understand many areas of development to address mental health. 5 starts it is not enough to rate this reading. Get the book, follow both Daniel and Dr. Gabor on Instagram, and listen to all the podcasts were they talk about their work!
Summer F. (verified owner) –
Wow. I will easily add this book to my list of “life changing”. I believe everyone could glean something incredibly powerful from it. It’s lengthy but fairly easy to read, however, be warned…you will be stretched. I’m so grateful for Dr. Maté’s wisdom here and in all of his books.
Bhavna A. Kasturia (verified owner) –
This book talks about whole of life, what is wrong in our culture and how. Has a unique perspective on the relationship between trauma and illness.
Shelagh Cosgrove (verified owner) –
This is no beach read! But boy, does it bring an Ocean of wisdom, care, love and sunshine to the feet of those of us who haven’t found life so easy at times, especially if its beginnings were traumatic. I have been working with it now–and yes, it is work of the most noble kind if it’s about healing and efficacy while you are still on Earth! –for some weeks since it’s inception. I’m in my 80’s now, but “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood”, as Claudia Black once said. There is healing, and it’s never too late as long as you are still living! Dr. Gabor has done an immense amount of research on the effects of trauma from early life experiences, as well as through his own experiences as a medical doctor, a husband, a father, and a deeply caring individual. Those of us who need clarification, guidance, intervention, or simply a caring person on the scene are very lucky to be alive and witnessing this phenomenon of “there is another way” to find one’s true being in a world where “toxic” seems to be the norm everywhere. I am SO thankful for the work and dedication of this man! And the book is so well-read by his son, Daniel; clear, at one with the meaning and emphases at every point. Such a wonderful demonstration of how that father/son relationship has become a gift to us all. Thank you, thank you, thankyou, Dr Mate and Daniel! All my love and many blessings, Shelagh
Colin Fry (verified owner) –
Would have been 5-star if only he had not briefly strayed out of his lane. Got a little too muddled up in his economic hang ups and didn’t really accomplish much with that sidetrack and shows his political colors a little too much – although maintains a fair tone considering. A must read for the psychology/physiology if you can push the off-topic ideology.
K M (verified owner) –
Having read Maté’s work previously, I appreciate his focus on trauma and healing. This book, however, ventures too deeply and too subjectively into the terrain of sociologists and economists. It would have been stronger if it had maintained its focus on trauma (and described the essentials of how sociological and economic factors influence trauma) rather than extrapolating quite far into personal political opinion.
Bobra Thompson (verified owner) –
This book has answered so many questions I’ve had throughout my life. It was a game changer for me, Dr. Mate’ is incredible!!
sue Sklansky (verified owner) –
This book is very eye opening around trauma and our health. From a societal perspective to individual mental and physical health.
Brenna Davey (verified owner) –
Dr. Matè so graciously imparts his years of personal and professional wisdom and knowledge in this masterpiece. Along with his son, Daniel, Dr. Matè challenges just about every facet of modern day life as we know it. “What passes for normal in our society is neither healthy, nor natural”. ❤️🙏🏽
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
This book is what the world needs right now. It let’s one reexamine everything we thought we knew and provide tools and strategies to make the changes we desperately need in our broken society.
Becky P. (verified owner) –
A must read for any who want to awaken to how poorly a job parents are doing of raising our precious children and the consequences that are occurring because of it
Paiva<span class="a-icon a-profile-verified-badge"><span class="a-profile-verified-text"></span></span> (verified owner) –
Many times, books by therapists regurgitate ancient wisdom, tweak already saturated ideas with gimmicks or are self-promotional.
This is not one of those. The author harkens to many ideas and theories but always adding something new and insightful to the mix.
You will find something to highlight in every parapgraph.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Good book for thinking about causes of illness. I enjoyed reading.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
While there’s nothing groundbreaking here, the way all the pieces of the health/illness puzzle are put together and conveyed in such a relatable way is a triumph.
tirzah firestone (verified owner) –
An important read! Dr Matès book brings into sharp focus the power of socio-economic stresses on personal health and on the interlocking social systems we rely upon, giving a biting critique of Western culture in our era. The author backs up his points with astonishing research, medical studies, and interviews, which may seem to drone on, but can be skimmed to get to the main point, which is the autonomy of our own minds to return to the innate wholeness and authenticity we were created with and are asked to manifest in this world.
Frank Brander (verified owner) –
Every M.D. and mental health professional should read this book! I finally feel seen and understood in terms of the long term effects of childhood traumas in my life, and the way they have colored EVERYTHING and every decision I’ve made. I hope that this book changes the way we see one another and ourselves in a way that we can heal this culture and our own lives and live more fully. Thank you, Dr. Mate for having the courage to write this book.
Jess, The Loving Guide <span class="a-icon a-profile-verified-badge"><span class="a-profile-verified-text"></span></span> (verified owner) –
Big fan of Gabor Maté. Relatable. Scientific. Emotional. All the things. Thank you for making your life’s work so acceptable.
Maxwell Jones (verified owner) –
This book changed the way I look myself, my family, and the world—not necessarily for “the better,” if you assume that “better” is “positive.” But, for the truth, and accepting that truth has brought peace to my life and a deep, not easy but deep, peace regarding the “problems” I have. This book, more than anything, truly shows that we are all simply doing our best to walk each other home, and dealing with the consequences of getting lost along the way. Thank you for your work Gabor and Daniel Maté!
Katie (verified owner) –
Best book of 2022. So much insight
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
I’d recommend it.
BJH (verified owner) –
This book is very well researched and thoughtfully written. I think most people in Western civilizations should read this. Our culture and ways of being are making us sick and killing us. We need to rethink our whole culture.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Long involved self help reading… not finished yet. There are also videos on YouTube.
Daniel Sackett (verified owner) –
As a doctor I find this read to be incredibly on target in so many regards. As a person, living in this current culture, I find this read to be an absolute must. Dr. Mate has taken all his years of hard work, research, interaction with others, and ability to observe and synthesized it together into this easy to read, yet deeply informative, book. It is such an important read in order to help us all understand the many ways our society is sick and the many ways these are making us individually and collectively sick. First we need to understand, which this book provides, so that then we can heal both ourselves and our society. Truly should be a required reading
Daisy Detective (verified owner) –
I really like the other books by Dr. Mate. This was way too long, repetitive and no new news here. Sorry.
Imelda (verified owner) –
Gabor Mate knows whereof he speaks. Everyone needs to read this and understand trauma and how it affects our entire society .
Tamika Adjemian (verified owner) –
Intrigued me from the beginning. Gabor Matè is a thorough and science based writer with a huge heart and a deep understanding of the intense place society has on human development. Bravo! I see myself in many of the stories and am saddened to know so many people have endured trauma at a young age, not a club I wanted 3/4 of the world to be in. Matè has a plan for healing.
A (verified owner) –
Everyone needs to read this book.
Heidemarie (verified owner) –
In “The Myth of Normal”, Gabor Maté has created a masterpiece of a book that truly speaks to the root of the problems of our day. He shows how we have created a toxic culture, why we are suffering so much now, and provides insights as to how we can begin the long road towards healing our world. And it begins with how we care for our young, as well as how we care for our own emotional health, with the transformative and healing power of compassion.
This ambitious book seeks to span the immense breadth of connecting personal physical health with personal emotional health in the context of the vast fabric of society: culture, belief systems, politics and economics, etc. And while Dr. Gabor Maté emphasizes how vital the formative years of childhood are in shaping our personal emotional and physical health, and in the larger context in shaping the collective emotional and physical health of society, he makes it abundantly clear that he is in no way blaming or shaming parents!!!! We are all doing the best we can with the cultural conditioning and early subconscious programming that shaped our OWN early development!!!
Honestly, I couldn’t finish any chapter without putting the book down several times, closing my eyes, and with hand on my heart, breathing deeply as I was flooded with a river of feelings, memories and longings overflowing its banks. For me, it was like Roberta Flack’s song, “Killing Me Softly.”
If this book shakes you up and makes you confront your own cherished belief systems that have kept you comfortably adapted to a sick society and blind to its deeply entrenched madness, this is good. Dr. Maté’s magnum opus is one of the great works in history that holds the power to help you heal your life, and in so doing, heal the world.
Ruby E (verified owner) –
Everyone should read this book.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
I saw Gabor on democracy now! and this sounded interesting. It is. It seems like common sense, everyone knows our culture is off the rails insane, in my opinion due to extreme anything goes attitudes and an erosion of character values, but (I’m 1/2 way into the book) and Gabor is saying our modern cultural environment has traumatized us resulting in a majority of humans having psychological issues. If you embrace personal health & sanity I believe this book will have value to you. If you keep the blinders on and don’t recognize the problems of society how will we ever overcome our collective insanity. Step one: read. Thanks Gabor.
William Ender (verified owner) –
In “The Myth of Normal,” Dr. Gabor Maté argues that our society’s obsession with the idea of “normal” is not only misguided, but also harmful. Drawing on his own experiences as a physician and his research on addiction, mental health, and trauma, Maté makes the case that our society’s emphasis on conformity and the suppression of “abnormal” behavior actually causes many of the problems we face.
One of the key themes of the book is the idea that mental health issues and addiction are often the result of underlying traumas or stressors that have not been properly addressed. Maté argues that our society’s emphasis on individual responsibility and the denial of the role of societal and environmental factors in these problems only serves to perpetuate them.
Throughout the book, Maté presents a number of case studies and examples to illustrate his points, including his own experiences working with patients struggling with addiction, mental illness, and other issues. He also discusses the role of the medical and mental health industries in perpetuating the myth of normal, and offers alternatives for more holistic, trauma-informed approaches to care.
Overall, “The Myth of Normal” is a thought-provoking and deeply compassionate examination of the ways in which our society’s ideas about what is “normal” contribute to the suffering of many individuals. It offers a powerful critique of the status quo and a call to reexamine our assumptions about mental health, addiction, and what it means to be “normal.”
C. Morgan (verified owner) –
Whether your interest is economics, politics, psychology, sociology, biology, self-help, medicine, health, spirituality, dieting, alcohol, addiction and recovery … this author describes how all these facets or fields are ultimately tied together in a description of reality that is simply mind-blowing. Then he offers very practical ways to walk this out in your own life. THE “Bible” the for 21st century.
Leonora Galindo (verified owner) –
Order filled quickly
Andrew K. (verified owner) –
Would recommend for anyone searching for deeper truths about themselves. The book is as scholarly as it is more or less self-help.
Matt (verified owner) –
I heard Gabor on ‘The Diary of a CEO’ podcast and immediately bought this book, the first of his I have read. It was also the first book I have read on trauma and it opened my eyes to a range of important concepts relating to the topic and has sparked my interest in reading more about it. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic, however I did find his writing style a little difficult to consume at times and he is often verbose. I also thought he covered some topics that really didn’t add much value and sometimes bordered more on ranting. This was mostly in the second half of the book. With a good edit and 100-150 less pages this would have been a 5 star book.
K (verified owner) –
Incredible, life changing, profound. Must read. Buy it!!!
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
This book is fascinating, and should be manditory reading for all mental health therapists or anyone interested in understanding the human condition.
Annie (verified owner) –
I discovered the old programming that was destroying me on the inside. Changed my life.
Very grateful!
Charles (verified owner) –
Half way through and feel changed from this text.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
This book will totally change your perspective on life, yourself, the people around you, interpersonal relationships, and health; mental, physical, and spiritual. I would do anything to download the contents of this book to every person’s brain. Anyone who doesn’t know the contents of this book is ENSLAVED by a toxic culture that wants to make you sick and miserable.
Andrea L. (verified owner) –
If you’re here wondering if you should get this book, the answer is YES! Add it to your cart.
Rene Gardner (verified owner) –
What an incredible life changing book.
EricG (verified owner) –
Mate details the many ways that our culture conspires to discourage genuine expression. The effect is to leave one wondering if it’s possible to wade through it all in order to live a truly genuine life.
ryanjconger (verified owner) –
Mate (Papa G as I like to call him) addresses beautifully the multidimensional and pervasive manifestations of emotional wounding and trauma by acknowledging what is and what was, and by outflanking the institutions that find their life force in perpetuating the myth of normal. This book is a gigantic step forward in becoming a trauma-informed society, which I believe to be a “non-negotiable”—an individual and collective requisite for experiencing a wholesome and healthy life.
Book worm (verified owner) –
I write in February 2023 as an older mother with a teenage daughter based in the U.K. in a week where ambulance drivers and nurses have been on strike on the same day and also probably every other profession in public service.
The author refrains from parent-blaming or bashing, which I am glad about – instead points to the ways in which parents are increasingly stressed in this society, BY this society – and also encouraged to believe that their role is less important than their child’s peers.
However I say this book is depressing because it lacks political solutions and does not tackle the notion of political will and politics.
It also I feel lacks a gender analysis. Women are particularly hard hit and disadvantaged by lack of priorities accorded to a holistic view of health – and so I would advise anyone reading this to check with the book called
‘The Motherhood Manifesto’.
laura (verified owner) –
Super helpful and interesting
Sara Perez Ramos (verified owner) –
In depth analysis, great use of concepts…. inspirational for anyone working on their own trauma!
Susan Kribbs (verified owner) –
A revolutionary description of the root of life’s unanswered questions and a book that should find its way into every home. There is something here for everyone in all walks of life.
Valerie Akers (verified owner) –
….look inside the book, which will help you to look deep inside yourself. We are so deeply affected by everything this cruel system we live in throws at us. Here’s to unwinding your way through the painful things you’ve unknowingly absorbed along the path, and to better days ahead. The mind-body connection was not a new concept to me, but Dr. Maté took this to a much more profound level and actually gives you the courage, desire, and tools to start picking things apart.
Dr. Ivy Bonk (verified owner) –
There are millions, maybe multiples, that are brilliant; but fewer that are brilliant and authentic; still fewer that are brilliant, authentic, and humble. Then there is a small group that are not only brilliant, authentic, and humble, but whose heart and intentions are for the good of mankind. Gabor Mate is a leader in this class and because he is we can believe what he confronts and shares is, in his understanding and experience, for our best interest. We can take it in, and if we so choose, apply accordingly. The Myth of Normal, not unlike his other writings, does not disappoint. I believe God will use it to serve the masses during this critical point in history. Thank you, Daniel for partnering with your father in the labor of its realization. The beautiful picture of healing and legacy within this family is a beautiful backdrop, and in my estimation makes it more effectual. Thank you, Rae, and as always thank you, Gabor (g). Dr. Ivy Bonk, Every Child Whole
I don’t like to brag or complain, but… (verified owner) –
I’m not a “reader”, but I could not put this book down. It’s been extremely enlightening and informative.
Luis C. Contreras (verified owner) –
Well-written and well-researched view into how trauma impacts the mind and then the body. Ends with individual and societal approaches to help mitigate these seemingly intractable problems.
Sheira (verified owner) –
This book is brilliantly written, thoroughly researched and easily digested. It brings to light the workings of both our inner and outer worlds and offers some extremely thought provoking, if not downright horrifying, analyses of where our society is headed. But it also, if you read all the way through this voluminous gem, delivers hope in the form of helpful self-exploration exercises that, in my mind, should be part of a mandatory curriculum at the high school and college levels.
FYI, I bought the book but also listened to the audio book, narrated with exceptional insight and skill, by Gabor’s son, Daniel Maté. I cannot praise this book enough!!! Thank you with all my heart for writing it and putting it out into the world! I truly believe it will help a LOT of people!
Soren Morrison (verified owner) –
Knowledge is power
Mark Demers (verified owner) –
Normal … Dr. Mate has altered my brain, stopped me in my tracks, opened my eyes. As one who works on a daily basis with people our society has left behind, I wonder about the individual trauma they endure and the collective trauma that prevents healing. Could it be the systems we create to address “poverty” are so often ineffective because they emerge out of society’s own trauma-induced impoverishment?
This is not an easy book; and I highly recommend it.
Dawn Palmer (verified owner) –
This book helps to get to the root of some of the challenges we face in the world that we’re living in right now. Must read for everyone!
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
Incredible insights into why we behave the way we behave, why our culture is toxic to the emotional lives of children, and how to analyze your life to create a healthier emotional landscape in your life.
Jody (verified owner) –
I bought this for my brother for Christmas at his request. He called me after reading a couple of chapters at a time to discuss it, and it’s led to some of the greatest insights for us both. I ended up buying a copy for myself. The knowledge gained and the perspective change about how everything is connected in our mental and physical health, and the validation that many of our suspicions about our shared traumas creating some of our issues has been astounding. Highly recommend reading and taking your time to adequately process it.
Marc Lippman (verified owner) –
Mate goes right to the source of our suffering, emotional and physical. An eye opening, must read for healing all our wounds, individual and social.
Christy Dunham (verified owner) –
Some good info
Ms.Johanson (verified owner) –
This literature takes on a journey indescribable from knowledge to healing and preventing future generational trauma on every spectrum one could think of .
Laura Prisc (verified owner) –
Seriously — if you read (or listen to) only one book all year, this should be the one!
I’ve been thinking for several years about how, as a society, we’ve “normalized” so many things that are truly insane… but because they’ve become so prevalent, we behave as if they are “normal” and become numb to the insanity, violence, anger, destruction, etc… we are perpetuating on ourselves, each other, and this glorious planet we inhabit.
It was good to know my thinking wasn’t off the mark, and to know that there is research to back it all up!
Dr. Gabor Maté and his son, Daniel, created a brilliant read… so eye-opening and thought-provoking about dis-ease, trauma, normalization of things that are not normal, and what it means to truly heal. It will shift your thinking about what modern medicine is capable, what the root causes of so many of our illnesses are, and give you insights, exercises, and practices with which you might initiate your own healing journey.
This is a powerful read!
Tasha Lundquist (verified owner) –
This is a stable in my office. Excellently written, easy to read and the companion workbook is excellent as well.
Scrib (verified owner) –
It’s too bad that few current medical practitioners are going to read Mate’s book. We can only hope that it becomes a text in medical school training, although that also seems unlikely, despite the enormous contribution it would make to both physicians and the patients and trauma survivors they treat.
As both an MD and a trauma survivor, Mate is eminently qualified to examine ‘normal’. His insights, suggestions for healing, and compassionate understanding are priceless. His son’s editing and assistance in the writing has contributed to the explanation of his theories, I think, based on other Mate works I’ve read. Mate gives him credit for this.
The reader can learn more in one week of reading this book than s/he can in many weeks (or years) of psychotherapy, although Mate doesn’t discourage therapeutic support by any means. Journaling, meditation, breath work, and other healing modalities are also mentioned as potential contributors to healing.
It’s a very big, sometimes daunting book, but it is worth every moment spent reading it, whether you are a survivor, parent of a survivor, patient of any sort, practicing physician, or physician wannabe. Medicine must at some point begin to see its own flaws, including not giving enough credibility to its patients for their wisdom and insights about themselves.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
The book was excellent! I appreciated the author’s explanation of ADHD, which helped me understand and relate to my subconscious behavior. The book also shed light on how my upbringing played a role in this. Additionally, I was fascinated by the author’s explanation of how stress and health are intertwined.
Summer Tunes (verified owner) –
I think everyone on the planet should read this. It has the potential to improve the readers life and the lives of those effected by the reader. It does not need to be read front to back, although that’s what I did. It is a book you can go back to time and again. I bought copies for each of my grown children.
Arbana (verified owner) –
Astonished at the level of profoundness and truth this book sheds on both individual and societal trauma. Given today’s state of the society I wish more people including my peers would read it. That being said it is not an easy read and I think it requires people to have a level of curiosity and openness to uncover topics of this nature
Roze (verified owner) –
Outstanding. Finally a book that ties together the science and the anecdotal. It’s what most healthcare professionals (the good ones) have known all along. Emotions matter.
BELLE F. (verified owner) –
Such a good read. Gabor Mate knows his stuff. Very informative and a lot taken for me personally from reading this.
Gene (verified owner) –
Author’s thesis makes great sense as to how our health is affected by our toxic culture and upbringing.
Bama Beach Forever (verified owner) –
Life Altering!
addalina1 (verified owner) –
This has been a great book. Still reading but loving it.
Connie Cunningham (verified owner) –
you arent defective. This book proves it and educated you on what you actually are: Neurodivergent. And thats not a bad thing. Just born in the wrong century.
gosha (verified owner) –
Trauma knowledge inspires to have more compassion and to re-think what we prioritize in life. An insight into the machine of modern economy and culture, it’s values and pitfalls. An important call to honor childhood and parenthood. I was a little underwhelmed with the amount of material about healing in proportion to the amount of material describing the problems.
Ben (verified owner) –
One of the best books I’ve read in the last 5 – 10 years
Shay (verified owner) –
Book was interesting & came in good shape. Thank you
John Foster (verified owner) –
Book arrived as advertised in excellent/new condition.
Zalis (verified owner) –
A ground-breaking offering for survivors and thrivers; validating perspectives for more authentic, whole-centered healing. A truly wise, collaborative work.