Dr Gabor Maté | Authenticity Can Heal Trauma (Part 2)

We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world? Joining us live on stage in London – in conversation with filmmaker and author David Malone - the renowned physician, addiction expert and author Gabor Maté dissects the underlying causes of this malaise – physical and emotional, and connects the dots between our personal suffering and the pressures of modern-day living.
Illness and trauma are defining how we live. 45% of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug.
Over four decades of clinical experience, Dr Gabor Maté has found that the common definition of ‘normal’ is false: virtually all disease is actually a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture, as we grow further and further apart from our true selves.
Filled with stories of people in the grip of illness or in the triumphant wake of recovery, this life-affirming talk from the beloved physician and author will show how true health is possible – if we are willing to embrace authenticity above social expectations.
Gabor Maté is a retired physician, bestselling author and renowned speaker, highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, stress and childhood development. He has written four bestselling books published in nearly thirty languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. He has been awarded the Order of Canada (his country’s equivalent of the MBE) and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver, for his ground-breaking medical work and writing.
David Malone is a filmmaker and TV presenter whose documentaries include Testing God, Soul Searching (both Channel 4), Dangerous Knowledge and The Secret Life of Waves (both BBC). He is the author of The Debt Generation.

[ericgendell]

I studied psychiatry, read more books than most, took copious notes, devoted immense amounts of time and energy to self-reflection and introspection and healed my own trauma. All I can say is that Dr Gabor Mate's understanding intelligence compassion and wisdom is second to none and had I known of him and his work, my healing process would have been exponentially expedited.

[nikzniky]

“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”

[ceciliaj]

So powerful.. "giving up our own authenticity for the sake of attachment" = recipe for disconnection with ourselves.

[micbetancur]

what privilege to listen to this man. He talks human

[louisesumrell]

In childhood I had a 5 years older sister who was, and still is at 69, the "poster child" for female psychopathy.
I was diagnosed, decades ago, with major depressive disorder, major anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder. In 1998 a social security panel of physicians judged me to be "totally and permanently disabled, unemployable".
Since then I've finally gotten sober and clean, (09/20/2018), and by practicing Zen Buddhism, a la Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn, and reading and watching Dr. Maté, I'm finally feeling much better and reasonably happy, consistently.
Of course I'm 64 years old now 🙄, but it's fine.
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called, 'the present'".😉🙏💖🙏

[finetrue]

My parents got divorced before I was born, and my mom left me with my narcissistic grandma until 7. Every time she came to visit I cried and begged her to take me, but she left anyway and blamed me for putting on a crying show to make her feel bad. Throughout my childhood and teen years, her strategy was to expose me to all kinds of pains and prep me for the tough world. I was constantly punished physically and emotionally, criticized for not obeying her order or for not performing perfect in school. I was No 1 in every subject in my class but that was still not good enough. When some boys showed interest in me she would cut my hair to look stupid and mock me of being stupid to believe anyone other than her. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and finally an eating disorder which I am still trying to recover from. I hope one day I can find myself and truly learn to love myself and heal my trauma.

[sciencenotstigma]

This is why accepting and embracing people with addictions works better than judging, excluding them from society, and punishing them. People can be authentic when they feel safe and accepted. People only lie when they know they’ll be judged or punished for telling the truth.

[kristine]

Letting your children being authentic is one of the greatest gifts you can do as a parent. And it is very easy to do because authenticity feeds itself for life.

[afairshare]

Authenticity in this society is seen as unprofessional and "problematic". It's infuriating and why I'm stepping away from the online world while I recalibrate myself and heal my trauma instead of subjecting and destroying myself for the projections of others who can't handle being honest with themselves and are intimidated by someone who is.

[amccaffrey]

“When you’re not known, then no matter how many people surround you, you will feel alone.”
🤯

[patriaciasmith]

Psilocybin saved my life. I was addicted to heroin for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in September. I have zero cravings. This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment.

[AvicSubfusca]

The comment sections under Gabor Matè videos are always so wholesome and compassionate. I hope he sees and feels his impact! He's such a gift to humanity.

[EmpoweredToBeMe]

A whole lot of people all over the world are walking around with trauma within and it’s showing up in all kinds of destructive ways. I hope everyone gets an opportunity to listen to Gabor, he’s a gift.

[karlad]

Nobody explains and understands childhood trauma as well as Dr. Mate. I’ve gone through therapy due to my childhood trauma, but it was fruitless. Dr. Mate made me feel like he understood me even when I’ve never met him. This resonates with me completely and now I understand why I have a hard time connecting with anyone in my life 😢

[kt]

I got a massage weeks after a miscarriage and I cried … i could not stop it. The massage therapist was so kind and understanding. She said I needed to release. She was right. Great experience ❤️🇨🇦

[Charlotte_breathes_fire]

Thank you. God I'm so sick of these meaningless diagnoses that don't do anything. Band aids on core wounds. I hate our pathetic mental health system. It's failed not just me, not just my family, not just nearly everyone I know, not just every mental health disaster I've worked within, but nearly everyone, in some way. I'm furious.
This man is a genius but it makes me so devastated because he's not the norm, and not nearly enough people will benefit from this. I'm so sick of toxic selfish, oblivious disgusting people abusing others.

[anthonywilson]

I have used a very similar saying for years. “We are only intelligent enough to be the creators of our own destruction.”

[Lihoradka-sv]

I once went to a spa salon for massage. I started crying and sobbing and couldn't calm down for quite a while afterwards. The feeling of being cared for, looked after, felt unbearable. I used to hate myself and punish myself constantly and now I work on healing from that. That massage session was a step in this process

[aquarius]

Probably one of the most authentic and worthwhile self-help author out there. Worth getting his whole collection of books.

[daphneglasurus]

11:57 authenticity and the freedom to express myself and not be shut down by my supposed loved one is exactly what I’m seeking right now.