DigeeBooks

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 todays 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 Matés most ambitious and urgent book yet.

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, by Gabor Maté, is a groundbreaking book that challenges the conventional wisdom about illness and addiction. Maté argues that our culture's obsession with normality is a major cause of suffering, and that the pursuit of "normal" can lead to a denial of our true selves and our authentic needs.

Maté draws on his own experience as a physician and addiction specialist to provide a compelling case for a more compassionate and holistic approach to health and healing. He argues that trauma, both large and small, can have a profound impact on our physical and emotional well-being, and that the key to healing is to address the underlying causes of our distress, rather than simply treating the symptoms.

The Myth of Normal is a must-read for anyone who is interested in a deeper understanding of the causes of illness and addiction, and for anyone who is seeking a more authentic and fulfilling life. Maté's work is a powerful reminder that we are all connected, and that our own healing is inextricably linked to the healing of our communities and our world.

Here are some of the key themes explored in The Myth of Normal:

• The illusion of normality and the high cost of conformity
• The impact of trauma on our physical and emotional health
• The importance of addressing the root causes of illness and addiction
• The need for a more compassionate and holistic approach to health and healing
• The power of connection and community in promoting healing

The Myth of Normal is a challenging and thought-provoking book, but it is also a deeply hopeful one. Maté's work offers a vision of a world where healing is possible, and where we can all live more authentic and fulfilling lives.