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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I found this an interesting read as I have a few friends and family members affected by depression.
Thanks to Goodreads, I get to keep an eye on my friend Jan's reading habits, even though she moved away years ago. This was a recent read by her that caught my eye and I'm glad I found my way to it.
Johann Hari experienced depression throughout his life and treated it for years with antidepressants. After 13 years, he started looking into the conventional wisdom that brain chemistry is the cause of depression. Turns out, not so much.
Hari outlines nine lost connections and seven ways to reconnect that might help people grappling with depression or the blues.
Johann Hari experienced depression throughout his life and treated it for years with antidepressants. After 13 years, he started looking into the conventional wisdom that brain chemistry is the cause of depression. Turns out, not so much.
Hari outlines nine lost connections and seven ways to reconnect that might help people grappling with depression or the blues.
This is the third Johann Hari book I’ve read and it followed a similar formula as the other two, one that is quite effective - identify a common problem in society, debunk that problem’s currently attributed causes with a mix of anecdotal evidence and well-reviewed studies while providing the “real” causes, and offer solutions or suggestions to address those causes. The approach is appealing to me because I generally agree with the views espoused but I’m wary of his style following a Malcolm Gladwell path of “easy science” where it feels more like a journalist than a scientist writing. So long way of saying that I’d like to further examine the science before accepting all arguments here. However, this book’s argument that depression and anxiety are caused not solely by a lack of serotonin (and therefore can be cured by medicine alone) but instead caused by social, biological, and psychological factors together is an argument that seems fairly widespread. The book was clearly organized, enjoyable to read, and carefully threaded the needle on not becoming a self help book (which was a concern I had before reading). I’d recommend this for anyone who struggles with depression / anxiety or has someone in their life who does, which is likely just about everyone!
slow-paced
I don’t think this book is logically rigorous enough to match the claim that it “uncovers the real causes of depression” (there’s some pretty weird straw man stuff in the beginning/middle), but it does have some interesting ideas for building happier societies. I loved his writing style, and I was engaged until the end. If it was titled “Some Evidence-Based Ideas for Building Happier Communities” without claiming to have the solution to depression, I would probably rate it 4 or 5 stars.
For a satisfyingly thorough investigation of depression and its treatments, try The Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon. It’s long, but you can skip chapters without losing much!
For a satisfyingly thorough investigation of depression and its treatments, try The Noonday Demon by Andrew Solomon. It’s long, but you can skip chapters without losing much!
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Finally
Amazing book. Finally addresses the issues that I have been thinking about for a long time about depression and anxiety and antidepressant medications- there is no pill for a crappy life.
If you, or someone you love has ever been or is now, depressed, read this book, have them read this book, you both will come to a new understanding.
Amazing book. Finally addresses the issues that I have been thinking about for a long time about depression and anxiety and antidepressant medications- there is no pill for a crappy life.
If you, or someone you love has ever been or is now, depressed, read this book, have them read this book, you both will come to a new understanding.
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced