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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
“What if depression is, in fact, a form of grief—for our own lives not being as they should? What if it is a form of grief for the connections we have lost, yet still need?”
Johann Hari’s book is a an investigation into depression and it’s causes, and ultimately what we can do find hope. By using research and statistics, and visiting a range of people and communities around the world, he sets out to show that it’s not chemical imbalance that causes depression but a lack of connection.
Part one - Challenging the narrative
I first came across Johann Hari during an interview with Sam Harris on the excellent ‘Making sense’ podcast. I found what he had to say about Depression to be fascinating , and he was able to back up a lot of what he said with research. I picked up the book, where it took it’s place on my TBR shelf. I eventually got to it.
Hari took his first anti-depressant at the age of 18 and had completely accepted the narrative that his illness was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. He visits doctors and highlights research which show that it’s not as clearcut as that. The arguments and statistics he presents are powerful ones and it’s hard to disagree with any of it.
Only last week I read an article about how there is no convincing evidence that a lack of serotonin causes depression, so a lot of this information is now in the mainstream. Parts of this section made me quite angry, as it feels a narrative has been forced on us that’s not entirely true. Yet again it seems we’ve been misled by the pharmaceutical companies.
If you have taken anti-depressants in the past, a lot of what Hari is talking about here is quite challenging. I began to wonder just how big a part of the problem some of these medications are. If they work so well, why do patients have to continually increase their dosage, or switch to other brands, or have to keep returning to take them again. If they’re fixing brain chemicals, surely we shouldn't have to keep taking them again.
Well researched and argued, it was hard to disagree with any of what the author was saying and I was eager to get onto the next section.
Full Review here
Johann Hari’s book is a an investigation into depression and it’s causes, and ultimately what we can do find hope. By using research and statistics, and visiting a range of people and communities around the world, he sets out to show that it’s not chemical imbalance that causes depression but a lack of connection.
Part one - Challenging the narrative
I first came across Johann Hari during an interview with Sam Harris on the excellent ‘Making sense’ podcast. I found what he had to say about Depression to be fascinating , and he was able to back up a lot of what he said with research. I picked up the book, where it took it’s place on my TBR shelf. I eventually got to it.
Hari took his first anti-depressant at the age of 18 and had completely accepted the narrative that his illness was caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. He visits doctors and highlights research which show that it’s not as clearcut as that. The arguments and statistics he presents are powerful ones and it’s hard to disagree with any of it.
Only last week I read an article about how there is no convincing evidence that a lack of serotonin causes depression, so a lot of this information is now in the mainstream. Parts of this section made me quite angry, as it feels a narrative has been forced on us that’s not entirely true. Yet again it seems we’ve been misled by the pharmaceutical companies.
If you have taken anti-depressants in the past, a lot of what Hari is talking about here is quite challenging. I began to wonder just how big a part of the problem some of these medications are. If they work so well, why do patients have to continually increase their dosage, or switch to other brands, or have to keep returning to take them again. If they’re fixing brain chemicals, surely we shouldn't have to keep taking them again.
Well researched and argued, it was hard to disagree with any of what the author was saying and I was eager to get onto the next section.
Full Review here
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
informative
fast-paced
This books covers eight types of disconnections that lead to depression. He interviewed a lot of scientists and read a lot of research as he wrote the book. It seems to be well-researched. The examples he used were interesting and varied. I also liked that he had concrete suggestions for how to reconnect in the various areas.
Another 5 star work by Johann. For anyone who has ever or is now suffering depression I cannot recommend it enough. For anyone who knows someone suffering depression which is everyone I cannot recommend it enough. Read this book and help change the way depression is treated and spoken about.
Thoughtful read on what research actually shows to help depressed people heal, and it isn't in pill form. Getting outdoors, connecting with others, having meaningful and fair work, are the finest examples. It's a bit uneven, going deep into politics and income inequality while glossing over childhood trauma. A good starting place and better than continuing to suffer while on meds.
What a fabulous book. Should be required reading! It really made me rethink depression and anxiety as more of a social problem and not one that can be fixed on an individual level or just with drugs.