The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture Mat Gabor (2024)

We tend to believe that normality equals health, yet what is considered normal in the Western world? Mental illness is on the rise, while illness and trauma increasingly shape how we live. Drawing on more than four decades of clinical experience, physician and addiction expert Gabor Mat examines the physical and emotional causes of this malaise and connects personal suffering with the pressures of modern life. He argues that the common definition of normal is false: disease can be a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture that takes us further from our true selves. He also shows a path towards reconnection and healing. Through stories of people living with illness or experiencing recovery, this compassionate book explores how genuine health may be possible when authenticity takes precedence over social expectations.