The Myth of Normal cover art

The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world?

Mental illness is on an unstoppable rise. Some 45 percent of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug. Illness and trauma are defining how we live.

In his new masterpiece, renowned physician, addiction expert and author Gabor Maté dissects the underlying causes of this malaise—physical and emotional, and connects the dots between our personal suffering and the pressures of modern-day living. Over four decades of clinical experience, Dr Maté has found that the common definition of 'normal' is false: virtually all disease is actually a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture, as we grow further and further apart from our true selves. But he also shows us the pathway to reconnection and healing.

Filled with stories of people in the grip of illness or in the triumphant wake of recovery, this life-affirming audiobook shows how true health is possible—if we are willing to embrace authenticity above social expectations. The Myth of Normal is Gabor Maté's most ambitious, compassionate and urgent book yet.

©2022 Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Stress Management Health Inspiring Thought-Provoking Mythology

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The only slightly jarring thing was when Daniel tried to do the accents of the different people quoted. There's a lot of good stuff in the book so I'll definitely listen again fairly soon.

Excellent

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For me - fantastic, eloquent summary from neurobiology, psychology and sociology point view - why we have such crazy world. Plus - how to approach to find yourself.

Fantastic

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It’s a fascinating book but I disliked the performer’s attempts to imitate accents. May buy it as a physical book

Wonderful book but bad performance

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Brilliant book on looking at mental health and trauma with a very uncommon and much needed view

New, healthy perspective

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I loved every single page and every single word. Absolute genius and amazing human you are Mr Gabor Mate. Thank you for written such a great piece of inspirational writing.

Absolutely beautifully written and life changing

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What is otherwise a very accessible, interesting book on how we frame the human experience, is ruined by the bizzare choice of the narrator (Gabor's son?) to take on a variety of dreadfully comedic British accents !

A great read butchered by bad accents

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I love the way Gabor informs us of the illnesses that seem to come from stress and not being able to say no! Our thoughts and feelings can make us sick and in ways that cannot always be detected by Doctors. Daniel narrates this book wonderfully and his accents are pretty good! Very informative for any therapists or anyone experiencing life distress or trauma.

outside the box

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I finished to listen to this book in few days. Useful information with some eye opening stories and beautifully narrated.If you are looking to know more about trauma , to understand it and to heal then you should add this book in your wish list. 5 stars!!!

Everybody need to read this book.

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Amazing book. A must read for anyone interested in healing and change. Narration good. 5 star

Brilliant insight

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Great book - brilliantly researched .. covers just about everything and I personally found it very helpful and validating. Narrated well by Daniel Maté apart from the unnecessary use of stereotypical, comic sounding native accents ie French, British etc’ .. could have been trending on thin ice ! - just not necessary and it really irritated me. Just bought the hardback to read myself!

The accents were so jarring

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