Gabor Maté's When the Body Says No explores the mind-body connection in illness, arguing that repressed emotions and chronic stress significantly contribute to various chronic conditions.

Maté uses case studies illustrating how patients' emotional coping mechanisms, often rooted in childhood experiences, impact their physical health.

The book examines multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions, highlighting the role of emotional repression and the inadequacy of solely biomedical approaches.

Maté emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional expression in promoting healing and preventing disease.

Finally, he challenges the prevailing medical dualism separating mind and body, advocating for a more holistic understanding of health and illness.