A review by aletha00
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté

5.0

Ive read a LOT of books about trauma and mental health and i think this one is the most compelling (and approachable). It doesnt go into too much detail about people’s specific traumas which I appreciate.m (its crazy how many books about trauma are not written from a trauma informed perspective). The author is both scientific and humane/ personal in his approach, which is something, from my experience, a lot of doctors dont know how to do. its pretty compelling. i think every teacher and politician and parent and anyone really should be required to have an understanding of how pervasive trauma is in our culture. i like that he acknowledges the impacts of capitalism and colonization too and the larger social forces and doesn’t just make it all about personal pathology.