"The Myth of Normal": Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture

In an extended interview, acclaimed physician and author Dr. Gabor Mate discusses his new book, just out, called The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture." The very values of a society are traumatizing for a lot of people," says Mate, who argues in his book that psychological trauma, woundedness, underlies much of what we call disease." He says healing requires a reconnection between the mind and the body, which can be achieved through cultivating a sense of community, meaning, belonging and purpose. Mate also discusses how the healthcare system has harmfully promoted the mechanization of birth," how the lack of social services for parents has led to a massive abandonment of infants," and how capitalism has fueled addiction and the rise of youth suicide rates.