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957 reviews for:
Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions
Johann Hari
4.22 AVERAGE
957 reviews for:
Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions
Johann Hari
4.22 AVERAGE
Hari is invested in the complex layers of mental health. The book starts off with a proposal to rework the way mental health is generally presented. Then it gets to the part of the book from which the title comes.
Until the lost connections part of the book, part 2 if you will, I was not digging the book for a few reasons. One was how clunky it was reading. It was really tedious and I kept having to backtrack paragraphs and reread them to make sure I understand, as much as possible, what Hari was trying to say. Part 2, in my opinion, redeemed the book and it's where my rating comes from. Another reason I was not digging part 1 is that it had the feeling of Hari hopping around and unable to land on the point he thought he was making. Also, I'm not sure I agree with his viewpoints, even though I appreciate the information and "food for thought" those points have provided.
But then part 2 was all about lost connections, which is what interested me in the book, to begin with. As humans, Hari outlines the 8 disconnects we are experiencing in today's world and lays the case for why those 8 disconnects are the root causes of depression, not "broken brains." I don't disagree with Hari but I also believe there are some "broken brains" out there. I don't think it is an either/or, I think it's a both/and. He supports the 8 disconnections he has identified with numerous interviews, research, and stories and makes a compelling case for each.
I'm left at the end of the book feeling a bit indifferent. It felt rather anti-climatic. However, the in-depth look at the 8 disconnects are enough, in my opinion, to give the book a solid 3 star rating.
Until the lost connections part of the book, part 2 if you will, I was not digging the book for a few reasons. One was how clunky it was reading. It was really tedious and I kept having to backtrack paragraphs and reread them to make sure I understand, as much as possible, what Hari was trying to say. Part 2, in my opinion, redeemed the book and it's where my rating comes from. Another reason I was not digging part 1 is that it had the feeling of Hari hopping around and unable to land on the point he thought he was making. Also, I'm not sure I agree with his viewpoints, even though I appreciate the information and "food for thought" those points have provided.
But then part 2 was all about lost connections, which is what interested me in the book, to begin with. As humans, Hari outlines the 8 disconnects we are experiencing in today's world and lays the case for why those 8 disconnects are the root causes of depression, not "broken brains." I don't disagree with Hari but I also believe there are some "broken brains" out there. I don't think it is an either/or, I think it's a both/and. He supports the 8 disconnections he has identified with numerous interviews, research, and stories and makes a compelling case for each.
I'm left at the end of the book feeling a bit indifferent. It felt rather anti-climatic. However, the in-depth look at the 8 disconnects are enough, in my opinion, to give the book a solid 3 star rating.
Spoiler alert:
As someone struggling with severe and chronic anxiety and depression since childhood I found this book partially accurate and partially not.
You can't just tell people to go out and start a gardening project to overcome the disorder that sometimes literally paralyzes them and makes the easiest things look absolutely impossible.
Being in a community and surrounded by (hopefully) like-minded people couldn't always be the best answer either (here I just remembered the pages on the Amish community and I thought WTF :D)
You can't just tell people that the medication they might be taking, which could possibly help them even for a short period of time, is nonsense and if they're feeling better, it's just the placebo effect.
I don't see medication a separate or unnecessary part of the healing process. Medication and therapy (in any possible form) work together in a parallel way and excluding medication from this process is overseeing the advantages that they could have on each person individually.
As someone struggling with severe and chronic anxiety and depression since childhood I found this book partially accurate and partially not.
You can't just tell people to go out and start a gardening project to overcome the disorder that sometimes literally paralyzes them and makes the easiest things look absolutely impossible.
Being in a community and surrounded by (hopefully) like-minded people couldn't always be the best answer either (here I just remembered the pages on the Amish community and I thought WTF :D)
You can't just tell people that the medication they might be taking, which could possibly help them even for a short period of time, is nonsense and if they're feeling better, it's just the placebo effect.
I don't see medication a separate or unnecessary part of the healing process. Medication and therapy (in any possible form) work together in a parallel way and excluding medication from this process is overseeing the advantages that they could have on each person individually.
Bummer, I was hoping to feel inspired.
The first few chapters had me frustrated. Long, rambling quotes by controversial COVID-lockdown denier John Ioannidis, followed by unbalanced presentation facts on the role of industry, followed by a quote suggesting that 40% of regulatory employees (e.g., FDA) in the US have their salaries paid by big pharma...yikes. There are a lot of good points here regarding more comprehensive, cultural, and natural ways of approaching depression (which I love), but the overarching tone of the book felt aggressive and anti all current research that the author disagrees with. This type of literature is hard for me in a landscape like the one we are in now -- the tone felt anti modern medicine/science and that's the last thing we need right now. I think we should think critically and challenge our deeply flawed system, but this approach didn't sit well with me. Chapters from mid-end were much nicer. Didn't like-- bordering on less than 2 stars
The first few chapters had me frustrated. Long, rambling quotes by controversial COVID-lockdown denier John Ioannidis, followed by unbalanced presentation facts on the role of industry, followed by a quote suggesting that 40% of regulatory employees (e.g., FDA) in the US have their salaries paid by big pharma...yikes. There are a lot of good points here regarding more comprehensive, cultural, and natural ways of approaching depression (which I love), but the overarching tone of the book felt aggressive and anti all current research that the author disagrees with. This type of literature is hard for me in a landscape like the one we are in now -- the tone felt anti modern medicine/science and that's the last thing we need right now. I think we should think critically and challenge our deeply flawed system, but this approach didn't sit well with me. Chapters from mid-end were much nicer. Didn't like-- bordering on less than 2 stars
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
More instructions on how to move forward would've been preferred
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Despite the subtitle, this book is not entirely about depression and anxiety. While certainly relevant to those who struggle with depression, this book also has much to say to the rest of us. This is not a science book, but it provides a very good overview of a variety of scientific studies covering biology, psychology, and many social science fields. This is not an autobiography, but it includes a deeply personal narrative about the author's journey of discovery. This is not a self-help book, but it provides thoughtful and well-researched recommendations for individuals and communities.
This book is about connections. It is about the consequences of losing important connections. It tells stories of people who are finding ways to repair the lost connections. This is about much more than depression. This is about holistic well-being and the future of humankind. It is thought-provoking and well worth the time to read and ponder.
This book is about connections. It is about the consequences of losing important connections. It tells stories of people who are finding ways to repair the lost connections. This is about much more than depression. This is about holistic well-being and the future of humankind. It is thought-provoking and well worth the time to read and ponder.
I bought this book for a friend. "But I'm not depressed!" was the initial reaction. "I know. This book is more about how to be better at the opposite of that."
Fantastic and clear - gives a good explanation of how a lack of connection can cause depression.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced