Summary of The Myth of Normal

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. The Myth of Normal is an instant New York Times bestseller and a groundbreaking investigation into the true causes of illness, offering a sharp critique of how modern society breeds disease, and providing a pathway to healing. Written by renowned physician Gabor Maté, this book draws from over four decades of clinical experience to uncover the false understanding of what is considered “normal” in terms of health, particularly in Western societies. In The Myth of Normal, Maté dissects why, despite advanced healthcare systems in countries like the U.S., chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug, with more than half using two. In Canada, one in five people suffer from high blood pressure, and hypertension affects over 30 percent of the European population. At the same time, adolescent mental illness continues to increase. With all this in mind, Maté asks: what is truly “normal” when it comes to health? Through his extensive clinical work, Maté has come to understand that the prevailing view of health is flawed, neglecting the profound impact trauma, stress, and modern-day pressures have on our minds and bodies. Western medicine, with all its technological advances, often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture puts undue stress on the body, burdens the immune system, and disrupts emotional balance. The Myth of Normal challenges these misconceptions and offers a compassionate guide to healing. Maté, co-written with his son Daniel, connects the individual’s health struggles to the broader societal decline in wellness, while offering insightful perspectives on how we can return to a more holistic and healthy way of living.