A review by ckcosner
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté

5.0

This book makes some fairly radical claims about illness and healing, that I think some people may find difficult to accept. For example, the idea that emotional trauma and personality play a role in cancer goes against common sense, yet he makes a strong case for it. He also provides some starting points for addressing emotional issues due to trauma. Most interestingly, these tools do not rely on ever determining what exactly that original trauma was, but rather dealing with the compensatory patterns it has left behind in your personality. There is also discussion of how the medical profession and our culture in general could better address the prevalence of trauma in our lives.

A more accurate title for this book might simply be the subtitle. Do not give it pass if you think "Oh I don't have any trauma." A key point is that no one is normal or trauma free. And even if you disagree with that, it doesn't hurt to develop a better understanding and compassion for others who have had their lives marked by trauma.