Why We Suffer and How We Heal

A psychiatrist who has dedicated her life to treating global survivors of unspeakable horrors shares the three keys to resilience that we can use to weather stress, loss, and trauma in our own lives. Some survivors are unflappable, yet it’s not their optimism or grit or mindfulness that carries them forward – it’s that they acknowledge and internalize the inherent instability in their lives. They are using the three tools that allow us to weather life's stormiest seasons: narrative, ritual, and purpose. In her debut book, Harvard- and Stanford-trained child and adult psychiatrist Suzan Song draws from her clinical practice, patient stories, research, and public health work to help readers release their unrealistic longing for stability, and open them up to a new, heathier mindset. While most of us will not experience the horrors of torture or being held hostage, there are countless uncertainties and dangers that are common in everyday life. From the challenges of tumultuous relationships, work, parenting and personal finances, to upheavals like the pandemic and climate disasters, we find ourselves lost and confused each time our lives are upended. How we cope is shaped by an intricate daisy chain of choices and experiences. From her clinical practice in the United States to her global work over two decades with survivors of human rights violations, Dr. Song has uncovered three keys to resilience: Narrative, Ritual, and Purpose. Whatever you're going through, these three tools can help you weather the winters of life. Profoundly insightful and beautifully written, Why We Suffer and How We Heal offers a groundbreaking new path to deep healing and finally feeling alive again.