Supernormal: The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience

Summary

Clinical psychologist and author of The Defining Decade, Dr. Meg Jay reveals the world of the “supernormal,” those who soar to unexpected heights after childhood adversity.

Whether it is bullying, the loss of a parent to divorce or death, an alcoholic or mentally ill family member, domestic violence, neglect, or emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, early adversities are experienced by nearly seventy-five percent of us.

Yet, often such experiences are kept secret as are our courageous battles to overcome them. Drawing on nearly two decades of work with supernormals and hundreds of scientific studies, Dr. Jay tells the tale of everyday superheroes who have made a life out of dodging bullets and leaping over obstacles, even as they hide in plain sight as students, teachers, doctors, artists, actors, athletes, parents, and more. These powerful stories and those of public figures from Andre Agassi to Jay Z, will show readers they are not alone but are, in fact, in good company.

Marvelously researched, this extraordinary book narrates the continuing saga that is resilience as it challenges us to consider whether—and how—good wins out in the end.