Book Recommendation: The Myth of Normal

"Trauma is not what happens to you. It’s what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you." - Gabor Mate

Dr. Gabor Maté, one of my favorite experts in the field, is renowned for his compassionate insights into addiction, mental health, and trauma, offers a powerful critique of what we consider to be "normal" in Western society.

In his book, The Myth of Normal, written with his son Daniel Mate, Dr. Maté challenges the cultural assumptions that equate productivity with worth, stress with success, and disconnection with independence. He argues that many of our physical and mental health issues stem not from individual pathology but from a deeply dysfunctional culture. Through the use of science, personal narrative, and clinical experience, he explores how societal norms often ignore or suppress the body's and mind’s need for connection, safety, and authenticity.

Whether you're a mental health professional, a caregiver, or someone simply trying to make sense of your own inner world, The Myth of Normal offers both insight and healing.