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1.39k reviews for:
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Daniel Maté, Gabor Maté
4.2 AVERAGE
1.39k reviews for:
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Daniel Maté, Gabor Maté
4.2 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness
Every helping professional should read this and anyone who wants to understand the connections between our experiences and current struggles will reap the rewards of this read.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I want to re read this already. I started this just before beginning a psychology major and I can’t wait to revisit this book with the knowledge I’ve gained. I particularly resonate with the idea that the human bodymind are one and one must understand both and the interplay between the two for a complete understanding of the self. But also that one must know how they can be the best and most whole person possible one must engage societally. The sociological and psychological are inherently intertwined.
I listened to this book as an audiobook, which I don't get to do often, mainly on long drives with sleeping children, of which there weren't many. If I had read this book I would have screenshotted so many pages and I wish it had been read by Gabor himself because I love his voice - but it's a hard, laborious thing to do and he's a busy man, so it's fine. His son is actually a great narrator and I liked the attempt at accents.
Anyway. To the book... so much of it made so much sense to me. I love the way he reminds us that trauma is trauma whether it's horrifying stories that end up with a broken child being scrubbed in a bathtub while being sworn to secrecy or someone with a 'blessed upbringing' realising that actually they didn't have a single adult they felt safe enough to talk to about any worries or fears. Nothing about trauma is mappable. It's not linear. There are no set parameters. That's what is making it so difficult to treat (and easy to deny).
I also like how he reminds us that 'blame' is not the point, answer or goal.
I am always wary of miraculous recoveries- especially of cancer - but he definitely is NOT saying 'DoNt LiStEn To YoUr DoCtOr!' He is however saying also, listen to yourself. Deep down, really listen.
I came across Gabor Mate on social media, watching snippets of his talks/thoughts on Palestine which I tended to agree with wholeheartedly- which made me want to read some of his books. This is my first. In the back of my mind I have niggles about his thoughts on adhd, so in typical 21st century style I have avoided that book! But I will move it up my list now.
I think he approaches things fairly and with real heart and he is an actual real doctor. He has been of the front line of so many of our modern crisis, he is very honest about his own mistakes and imperfections... he is very human. It's worth hearing his take.
The last chapters on how people can start to heal or make inroads into figuring out some stuff are pretty good, from the little I know. He doesn't make any bold 'this will transform your life overnight' claims. I'm gonna listen to them again and take some notes. The self inquiry questions are good ones. The comments he makes on things like agency, anger and compassion are worth taking in.
I liked it. For all the horrible stories there was lots of hope. Real systematic change might not be possible yet, under the current systems, but there are rumblings. People are sick of being sick. Hopefully things will look a lot different in a few decades. (Or sooner please?!)
Anyway. To the book... so much of it made so much sense to me. I love the way he reminds us that trauma is trauma whether it's horrifying stories that end up with a broken child being scrubbed in a bathtub while being sworn to secrecy or someone with a 'blessed upbringing' realising that actually they didn't have a single adult they felt safe enough to talk to about any worries or fears. Nothing about trauma is mappable. It's not linear. There are no set parameters. That's what is making it so difficult to treat (and easy to deny).
I also like how he reminds us that 'blame' is not the point, answer or goal.
I am always wary of miraculous recoveries- especially of cancer - but he definitely is NOT saying 'DoNt LiStEn To YoUr DoCtOr!' He is however saying also, listen to yourself. Deep down, really listen.
I came across Gabor Mate on social media, watching snippets of his talks/thoughts on Palestine which I tended to agree with wholeheartedly- which made me want to read some of his books. This is my first. In the back of my mind I have niggles about his thoughts on adhd, so in typical 21st century style I have avoided that book! But I will move it up my list now.
I think he approaches things fairly and with real heart and he is an actual real doctor. He has been of the front line of so many of our modern crisis, he is very honest about his own mistakes and imperfections... he is very human. It's worth hearing his take.
The last chapters on how people can start to heal or make inroads into figuring out some stuff are pretty good, from the little I know. He doesn't make any bold 'this will transform your life overnight' claims. I'm gonna listen to them again and take some notes. The self inquiry questions are good ones. The comments he makes on things like agency, anger and compassion are worth taking in.
I liked it. For all the horrible stories there was lots of hope. Real systematic change might not be possible yet, under the current systems, but there are rumblings. People are sick of being sick. Hopefully things will look a lot different in a few decades. (Or sooner please?!)
It is a thought-provoking and well written book that explores how trauma, childhood experiences, and societal norms shape our mental and physical health. I appreciate Dr. Maté’s deep insights into the impact of early life on adult well-being and his critique of what we often consider “normal” in Western culture.
However, while I value holistic perspectives, I felt the book sometimes crossed the line between science and spirituality. Some claims about healing lacked solid scientific backing and leaned too heavily on anecdotal examples. In my opinion this blurred boundary can be problematic, especially coming from a medical professional.
Though the book raises important points and is emotionally resonant, I was left wanting more evidence-based grounding and fewer anecdotal examples from individuals he has encountered in his journey.
In summary, The Myth of Normal is a valuable book that opens up crucial conversations about trauma, health, and culture. It has much to offer, particularly in validating personal experiences and challenging harmful societal norms. However, for readers who value a clear boundary between spiritual philosophy and scientific reasoning, the book may raise important questions and concerns. I appreciate Maté’s voice and vision, but in this case, I feel he may have leaned too far into one side of the spectrum without sufficiently grounding his claims in research.
I’m giving this book 3 stars.
However, while I value holistic perspectives, I felt the book sometimes crossed the line between science and spirituality. Some claims about healing lacked solid scientific backing and leaned too heavily on anecdotal examples. In my opinion this blurred boundary can be problematic, especially coming from a medical professional.
Though the book raises important points and is emotionally resonant, I was left wanting more evidence-based grounding and fewer anecdotal examples from individuals he has encountered in his journey.
In summary, The Myth of Normal is a valuable book that opens up crucial conversations about trauma, health, and culture. It has much to offer, particularly in validating personal experiences and challenging harmful societal norms. However, for readers who value a clear boundary between spiritual philosophy and scientific reasoning, the book may raise important questions and concerns. I appreciate Maté’s voice and vision, but in this case, I feel he may have leaned too far into one side of the spectrum without sufficiently grounding his claims in research.
I’m giving this book 3 stars.
This book has a valid premise but is bloated out with lots of credulous "miracle" claims and a ton of victim-blaming. No, not *every* physical illness is because of unprocessed emotional trauma, come on. And there is also the unforgivable inclusion of one of those "I made Stage 4 cancer disappear from my body with positive thinking" stories. Those claims both get people killed and are a slap in the face to anyone who's faced cancer themselves and/or had a loved one die from it.
