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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
An absolute must-read for anyone who's suffered from depression or anxiety or who has a depressed or anxious friend (which is to say, everyone on the planet!). Well-researched, enlightening, uplifting
The first two parts were fascinating. I really enjoyed learning about all of the studies and experiments, as well as the history behind a lot of the testing that has been done over the last few decades. Once it got into part III and started to discuss what we can do now, it started to lose me. I found myself disinterested in how this is working for real people. It is a fascinating concept that we need to have better and stronger connections with one another to combat some aspects of depression and anxiety, but there is still so much to learn in regards to our brain and our body’s chemistry.
So I don't usually write reviews of the books I've read, but I came across Johann Hari's Ted talk (https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_this_could_be_why_you_re_depressed_or_anxious) and was intrigued by his assertions about anxiety and depression and why the standard medical solution, take a pill, is not the answer. At least a majority of the time. His book, "Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions", is an easy read and covers extensive investigation into the major causes - biological, social, and psychological - and possible solutions that the author refers to as "re-connections".
This book is not only for those connected in some way with anxiety and depression but also for those who are interested in ways to either avoid these types of mental health issues or to help our kids and the next generations grow up in a world where they no longer are impacted by the effects of anxiety and depression.
Johann starts by recounting his personal experience with depression as a teenager and follows him through his investigation of why anti-depressants have become so prevalent as a solution, why they don't work, and some of the more recent studies for alternate solutions. The second part of the book covers the nine disconnections that people suffer that lead to anxiety and / or depression. A few notable quotes:
* Loneliness isn’t the physical absence of other people, he said—it’s the sense that you’re not sharing anything that matters with anyone else.
* the more the kids valued getting things and being seen to have things, the more likely they were to be suffering from depression and anxiety.
* “Advertising at its best is making people feel that without their product, you’re a loser. Kids are very sensitive to that … You open up emotional vulnerabilities, and it’s very easy to do with kids because they’re the most emotionally vulnerable.”
The third section of the book covers "Reconnection. Or, a Different Kind of Antidepressant". Personally, I don't think I suffer from anxiety or depression, but I can relate to the feelings at different points in my life. What this section did for me was reinforce some of my personal practices that help pull me out of what could have been a downward spiral. It also pointed me to ideas to help my kids (and grandkids) to practice healthier ways of living that lead to better mental health. Reconnect to other people, meaningful work, meaningful values (internal vs. external), and sympathetic joy (joy for others as opposed to envy) to name a few.
The author does a good job of putting forward ideas that, as a society, to start taking steps to improve mental health. These may not be the exact solutions, but they are a start. Every journey begins with a first step and I hope that others read this book and can take away some of these ideas and make changes for themselves and for their children.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36565043-lost-connections
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07583XJRW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
This book is not only for those connected in some way with anxiety and depression but also for those who are interested in ways to either avoid these types of mental health issues or to help our kids and the next generations grow up in a world where they no longer are impacted by the effects of anxiety and depression.
Johann starts by recounting his personal experience with depression as a teenager and follows him through his investigation of why anti-depressants have become so prevalent as a solution, why they don't work, and some of the more recent studies for alternate solutions. The second part of the book covers the nine disconnections that people suffer that lead to anxiety and / or depression. A few notable quotes:
* Loneliness isn’t the physical absence of other people, he said—it’s the sense that you’re not sharing anything that matters with anyone else.
* the more the kids valued getting things and being seen to have things, the more likely they were to be suffering from depression and anxiety.
* “Advertising at its best is making people feel that without their product, you’re a loser. Kids are very sensitive to that … You open up emotional vulnerabilities, and it’s very easy to do with kids because they’re the most emotionally vulnerable.”
The third section of the book covers "Reconnection. Or, a Different Kind of Antidepressant". Personally, I don't think I suffer from anxiety or depression, but I can relate to the feelings at different points in my life. What this section did for me was reinforce some of my personal practices that help pull me out of what could have been a downward spiral. It also pointed me to ideas to help my kids (and grandkids) to practice healthier ways of living that lead to better mental health. Reconnect to other people, meaningful work, meaningful values (internal vs. external), and sympathetic joy (joy for others as opposed to envy) to name a few.
The author does a good job of putting forward ideas that, as a society, to start taking steps to improve mental health. These may not be the exact solutions, but they are a start. Every journey begins with a first step and I hope that others read this book and can take away some of these ideas and make changes for themselves and for their children.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36565043-lost-connections
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07583XJRW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Enjoyable book. Having listened to a few interviews with Hari (esp. the Joe Rogan ones), not much in this book was new information. Still enjoyable to read, and it left me with a lot to think about.
”You need your pain. It is a message. It will tell us what is wrong with you.”
I am on a roll with reading life-altering books lately!
This is such an important look into the societal factors causing an increase in depression, as well as solutions to tackle them.
These aren’t easy, one-day solutions. But they are so important. This book is what our world needs right now. We need re-connection and healing so desperately.
I am on a roll with reading life-altering books lately!
This is such an important look into the societal factors causing an increase in depression, as well as solutions to tackle them.
These aren’t easy, one-day solutions. But they are so important. This book is what our world needs right now. We need re-connection and healing so desperately.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This is a greatly important book - it explores the causes and presentations of depression in a sensitive way. Beautifully written, the exploration of different personal situations around the world is fascinating. I really feel I have to read this book again to appreciate it fully. As someone who has lived with depression it resonated deeply, but that doesn't mean to say it won't do the same for other readers with different personal circumstances. I really looking forward to reading this again soon!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced