Copy of “The myth of normal- trauma illness and healing in a toxic culture” by Gabor Maté.

I came across this book review in the BJGP few months and made a few notes that I will now want to share with you if you get the chance read the book or find the book review from BJGP.

Apologies but I threw the journal into recycling after writing down these notes.

This is the official summary of the book if you wish to purchase it.

‘In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two.

In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure.

In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise.

So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?

Over four decades of clinical experience, Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health.

For all our expertise and technological sophistication, Western medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture stresses the body, burdens the immune system, and undermines emotional balance.

Now Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the maladies of individuals and the declining soundness of society—and offers a compassionate guide for health and healing.

Co-written with his son Daniel,?The Myth of Normal?is Maté’s most ambitious and urgent book yet.’

The person reviewing the book in BJGP summed it up as;

“Modern life is toxic to our physical and emotional health, and here is the evidence as well as lots of engaging personal stories to illustrate the science”.

He goes onto explain;

“Now that you are convinced about the effects of traumatic life experiences have on health, here are some ways to change that ill health including mindfulness.”

In final part, he states that these are the questions we need to find the answers to.

So, sit down, dig deep this weekend and search for your answers.

1) In my life's important areas, what am I not saying no to?

2) How does my inability to say no impact on my life?

3) What bodily symptoms or signals have I been overlooking?

What symptoms have I been ignoring that could be a warning sign, where I must pay conscience attention?

4) What is the hidden story to my inability to say no?

5) Where did I learn these stories?

6) Where have I ignored or denied the yes that wanted to be said?

You may be one of those lucky ones who is able to do this alone and answer them honestly.

Or are you more like me, easier to avoid searching for the answers, or do you need help by talking it over with someone?

We all need a thinking partner, someone we can be open and honest and vulnerable, and find those answers lurking deep inside.

Click the link for a free 30 minute chat with me.

Let's talk, here is the link to my diary: https://zcal.co/elizabeth-rozario/Lets-talk.

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