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oshkosh25's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
Good, but reaching in some parts, not at the core, but at some of his assumptions and premises
noonanjohnc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Deportation, Infertility, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Ableism, Medical content, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Addiction, Child death, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Confinement
kschilke's review against another edition
4.0
Oof. I’m ready for a light read after this one.
The books sheds light on how trauma, the environment, stress, society, etc, etc play a role in our illnesses. It also delves into the brokenness of the medical field in acknowledging (or lack of acknowledging) all these layers when making diagnosis. Maté emphasizes the importance of getting to the root of what ails us. Facing and trying to fix some of the realities rather than just providing a bandaid fix or further exacerbating the problem.
It’s such an interesting read and truly eye opening as we think about the increasing rate in chronic illnesses (especially in women).
I had this book on my TBR list for awhile, and finally got on the waitlist for a copy after hearing a podcast where Maté spoke on parental attachment. I looked into finding more of his work and discovered I had this one already picked out waiting to be read. I feel like I’ll be processing this for awhile. It’s not something you read once and then forget. It’s something you’ll chew on and ponder and want to share with others in normal conversation.
I appreciate Maté doing the work to dig into how trauma and other factors impact our overall health. I hope other physicians will follow his lead and practice a more holistic approach.
To share a quote:
“Disconnections in all its guises—alienation, loneliness, loss of meaning, and dislocation—is becoming our culture’s most plentiful product. No wonder we are more addicted, chronically ill, and mentally disordered than ever before, enfeebled as we are by such malnourishment of mind, body and soul.”
The books sheds light on how trauma, the environment, stress, society, etc, etc play a role in our illnesses. It also delves into the brokenness of the medical field in acknowledging (or lack of acknowledging) all these layers when making diagnosis. Maté emphasizes the importance of getting to the root of what ails us. Facing and trying to fix some of the realities rather than just providing a bandaid fix or further exacerbating the problem.
It’s such an interesting read and truly eye opening as we think about the increasing rate in chronic illnesses (especially in women).
I had this book on my TBR list for awhile, and finally got on the waitlist for a copy after hearing a podcast where Maté spoke on parental attachment. I looked into finding more of his work and discovered I had this one already picked out waiting to be read. I feel like I’ll be processing this for awhile. It’s not something you read once and then forget. It’s something you’ll chew on and ponder and want to share with others in normal conversation.
I appreciate Maté doing the work to dig into how trauma and other factors impact our overall health. I hope other physicians will follow his lead and practice a more holistic approach.
To share a quote:
“Disconnections in all its guises—alienation, loneliness, loss of meaning, and dislocation—is becoming our culture’s most plentiful product. No wonder we are more addicted, chronically ill, and mentally disordered than ever before, enfeebled as we are by such malnourishment of mind, body and soul.”
arrr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This is better than his book "when the body says no". Less doom and gloom. A few useful strategies for prevention and sustainable living.
This is more an indictment of capitalist colonial society than it is a self help book. It still does more work pointing to problematic behaviour and systems than it does proposing replacements.
When you're unlearning toxic cycles, it can feel empty during the time between letting go and finding new ways. I can't help but consider the words of Indigenous activist Ginger Gosmett Myers at a vancouver YWCA panel in 2024 about divisiveness and dismantling systems, "and then what?"
I like what he says about community. How his old neighbourhood spaces are gone, so where do generations mingle now. So now what? How do we take steps towards community building in the broken infrastructure we have?
At least this time he's careful to blame society and not mothers. Gender is still presented binary. There are some gems and thoughtful points. I hope he keeps pushing forward with this train of thought. He's getting closer.
This is more an indictment of capitalist colonial society than it is a self help book. It still does more work pointing to problematic behaviour and systems than it does proposing replacements.
When you're unlearning toxic cycles, it can feel empty during the time between letting go and finding new ways. I can't help but consider the words of Indigenous activist Ginger Gosmett Myers at a vancouver YWCA panel in 2024 about divisiveness and dismantling systems, "and then what?"
I like what he says about community. How his old neighbourhood spaces are gone, so where do generations mingle now. So now what? How do we take steps towards community building in the broken infrastructure we have?
At least this time he's careful to blame society and not mothers. Gender is still presented binary. There are some gems and thoughtful points. I hope he keeps pushing forward with this train of thought. He's getting closer.
raaahella's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Very informative, especially on the note of trauma causing bodily pain.