When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress

An important book. Fits the story of my life and what I see around me.

I developed something called Central Sensitization Syndrome last year after an injury and along with reading a book called How to Do the Work, and a program called DNRS, this book was a major element of my recovery. It also helped me so much in learning how to set boundaries around my life and how crucial they are to my livelihood and longevity of life! I wish I could force everyone to read this book. I carry it around in my purse now so I can tell others about it. Seriously life changing. Please read it!!

Though the book was written a couple decades ago, the idea has yet to reach the mainstream: many disease processes are strongly influenced by early unhealthy relationship patterns. More specifically: people who had early relationships in which they couldn't say "No," decades later the body finally says "No" for them.The examples are really convincing. Gabor Mate interviews some of the people and their answers really affirm his hypothesis.He may be further saying particular diseases have this feature more than other diseases. I am finished with the ALS chapter and part way into the breast cancer chapter. Two people he outlines with ALS are Lou Gherig himself who never said "No" to playing baseball even when his hand was broken, contrasted to Stephen Hawking who learned to say "No," (even if he was unkind sometimes) who lived decades longer than was expected. Confirming Mate's hypothesis that this disease has -- not a CAUSE but an Element -- of not being able to say No until the disease finally says No for them.The hopeful part of the message is that for those who learn to have more well-defined boundaries and stick by them, this can reduce these diseases.While I applaud him for this innovative hypothesis, I think it may not go far enough, early enough or deep enough. Sure, a child feeling cornered will build up anger resentment or other emotions. Sure, as an adult the person likely has not found ways that have released that emotion and may even be perpetuating it. Sure, emotion is a physiological situation that can switch on genes that were not switched on before. And have other health repercussions. But is it really the adult now learning to "Say No" that is the key?ha ha, maybe I'm one of the ones that needs the book. Maybe I'll keep reading.Another thing I am not fully convinced: the book makes it sound like the Body makes a choice to say No, because the person won't. I am not sure it works that way.Still, I am loving the book, especially the case histories which have so much meaning and relevance.Certainly, medical schools could benefit from teaching some of these books. Say in a Pre-Med curriculum. This one is still relevant in 2025.

After struggling with gastrointestinal problems for years this certainly shed much light on my problems/diet. Not the easiest read but what medical related books are?

The books is equal parts science and psychiatry. Carefully and thoughtfully written, Dr. Maté guides his readers to understand that Western medicine and American culture have led us away from seeing health as binary: mental health vs. physical health. Using scientific studies and his own experience, Dr. Maté aptly demonstrates that the two are inextricably linked.It has forced me to take a good look at stressors and how my external environment impacts me internally.Highly recommend!

The research presented in this book is much the same findings presented in "The Body Keeps The Score" by Dr Van der kolk. After reading both, The Body Keeps The Score seems to outline WHAT happens in the body from a more clinical/medical perspective and "When the Body Says No" seems to explain HOW it happens in most people's lives. This book is compassionate and presents the options of healing without prescriptions, if one can look honestly at their own past and present mindsets.

I’ve read many books, but this is the only one I’ve said should be mandatory reading for all students!

The book is insightful, well researched, and easy for the general public to follow. It was recommended to me by a friend who said it is helpful in resolving long repressed emotions.I wanted to read it right away, so did not want to wait for a hard copy to arrive. I opted for a Kindle copy and although I read it in a few sittings, the copy presented problems. At first, I thought it was badly written, but then realized that the Kindle edition was simply a disaster in formatting. I have since bought a hard copy and am reading it again, this time without the distraction of a jumbled manuscript. I have noticed this before in some of my Kindle purchases and as much as I love my Kindle, there is obvious work to be done in the formatting department.