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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
This book has a very interesting take on depression and loneliness. Although it is more aimed at solving potential causes of depression instead of medicating, the author does mention that medicine does work for some people and shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. Don't let the soapbox you're used to being on prevent you from taking away the good parts of this book. I almost abandoned it several times but I am glad I continued reading as I think he has many good points. His thoughts on what the lack of meaningful work do to people especially resonated with me. This is written as an almost biographical journey through his own depression and has anecdotes from experts who add their thoughts on what else causes depression besides a chemical imbalance in the brain. If you're interested in themes such as what disconnection does to people in modern society or other parts of your life that you could look into to possibly prevent some aspects of depression, this is definitely a book you should check out. It made me think and challenged some of my preconceived notions about depression. This one is definitely a conversation starter even if it fails to be the groundbreaking new "cure" it wants to be. I highly recommend checking it out.
As much as I liked how Johann shed light on social and psychological causes of depression and anxiety in our communities, as much as I was against his denial regarding biological causes.
It’s true, psychological and social stressors are an important cause of depression, but the role of genetic susceptibility (which is biological) can't be ignored totally.
The connections he emphasized, to be a cure for depression, could play a significant role in those patients who suffer from mild cases (even treatment guidelines recommend psychological interventions for patients with mild cases), but we can't deny patients with moderate to severe cases from getting medications!
Johann kept mentioning in his book that medications arent fully effective, and the reason behind giving them is big pharma ??? But how would you help someone how is severely depressed/anxious to get out of bed and join different behavioral modifications without helping him by decreasing the severity of his condition!
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I read this book for Mental Health Awareness Month. One of my college majors was psychology, so I am always interested in hearing new research on mental illness.
This book gave me a lot to think about. It presented a different way of looking at depression from the mainstream view of it being a chemical imbalance, with ample evidence to back up the author's conclusions. I appreciated there were also tips included for treatment of depression that go beyond the typical medication route. It will be interesting to continue to follow new research on this topic.
This book was engaging and accessible (perhaps just a bit too colloquial at times). I was hooked from the first chapter and found the topic and presentation endlessly fascinating. Some of the author's points felt a bit unfinished but, again, that is most likely due in part to the ongoing nature of the research.
This may well be a book that forever changes the way I look at the fundamental cause of depression and anxiety.
This book gave me a lot to think about. It presented a different way of looking at depression from the mainstream view of it being a chemical imbalance, with ample evidence to back up the author's conclusions. I appreciated there were also tips included for treatment of depression that go beyond the typical medication route. It will be interesting to continue to follow new research on this topic.
This book was engaging and accessible (perhaps just a bit too colloquial at times). I was hooked from the first chapter and found the topic and presentation endlessly fascinating. Some of the author's points felt a bit unfinished but, again, that is most likely due in part to the ongoing nature of the research.
This may well be a book that forever changes the way I look at the fundamental cause of depression and anxiety.
Essential reading - great for anyone who has or has not suffered from anxiety or depression. Sheds light on a lot of the issues regarding the stigma and provides hopeful solutions to the illness. Very easy to read and the examples are interesting and relevant. What I really enjoyed was how the author justifies each of his points with research; little is opinionated, even if he did suffer from depression himself. Even when it is opinionated, he makes it clear that he is being opinionated.
Main takeaway - connecting with people is one of the main things that make us human, to rid ourselves of others is to lose ourselves (so reconnect!).
Strong 4
Main takeaway - connecting with people is one of the main things that make us human, to rid ourselves of others is to lose ourselves (so reconnect!).
Strong 4
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
A refreshing and new approach to the causes of depression and how we can be aware of these factors in our lives. There are a lot of ideas in this book that I've noticed in my own battles with depression, and this was a great, comprehensive write up on his ideas.