The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

By: Gabor Maté MD, Daniel Maté

Narrated by: 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

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

Five Stars for the Trauma Info, Minus One for Polemics

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.

A must read

This book is a magnum opus! It touches on topics from Gabor Mate’s other books, like the stress/disease connection, and addiction. But it goes much further and crafts a very cohesive look at where our culture is at the moment, that the pain and illness we experience isn’t a “problem” but rather our bodies natural reaction to a toxic environment. He provides plenty of real life examples and tangible practices that can help people heal and move forward with a healthier and more accurate perspective. If you are willing to take a look at your life from the perspective of an “observer” and do the inner work necessary to grow, this book can be an amazing catalyst on your journey.

Validated a surprising amount of intuitive instincts revolving around psych

I’m halfway through nursing school and starting as a mental health tech in a few weeks. I’m hoping to make a career out of psych. If this is the direction you’re headed, give this a read. This book is long, but an easy read and chuck-full of easily digestible science. I thank Dr. Maté for this book. It is giving me an edge in life with my own traumas and professionally as a healthcare professional.

Gabor Mate 101

I am so grateful for the release of Gabor Mate's life's work during this crucial transitional period in human existence. The timing of this release seems perfect both personally and collectively as the work of healing individual and societal trauma becomes more and more dire.

The Myth of Normal has a quality of being a Gabor Mate 101 course as it lays out a broad range of topics laid out simply for a general audience to see the big picture of Mate's work. For instance, Mate summarizes his previous book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts in one succinct chapter while referring to the book periodically within The Myth of Normal. To get the depth of the specialization and science behind his work in addiction, one would be encouraged to read further into his work through The Realm of Hungry Ghosts.

The Myth of Normal was very well written on the broadness of Mate's work in addiction, trauma, and social issues and is a gift to those who follow in the healing journey.

Unyielding Attention!

This book truly reminded me when it came to my close friend I needed to do better. I should have listened more, I should have paid more attention and I should have cared more intentionally.
Dr. Imbenzi George

awesome

probably one of the best books of the last decade. highly recommend. devoured it in less than a week.

Most important topic, excellent writing.

Enjoyed the book, solid writing and research as expected Gabor. Be aware of narrator’ imitation of one researcher’s accent. He didn’t bother trying a New Zealand or German or British accent, but somehow found acceptable to try a horrible french accent, had to forward those quotes. Please re-record those parts w/ a normal voice.

Masterpiece

What an incredible book, cover to cover full of wisdom.
So glad I got to listen to this amazing book.
Highly recommended.
👌🏼

OUTSTANDING !!

It is my prayer that this book is read by any and all who have experienced trauma in today's world.

Very insightful

This book serves as a great source in assisting me on my journey of self-healing.