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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
One of the best books I've ever written. If you can read, read it.
Everything Hari has researched points to how detrimental society has become. It's important to remember that humans are animals, and that even when we're rushing through a city trying to get to our jobs or families, the place we have chosen to live is in fact unnatural and can be a major factor in why we develop depression and anxiety. He noted that 30-40% of your depression is passed on genetically which leaves a lot of room for various factors in your life to push you over (or not). He also not so surprisingly revealed that there was little support at the time of the release of SSRIs and anti-depressants that depression is caused by wonky serotonin levels. I found the entire book very thoughtful, albeit enraging, in places, and I'd highly recommend to anyone struggling or just interested in additional causes for depression.
I really wanted to give this a one star because I am disappointed, cautious, and wary of the massive generalization this book is portraying however, that's not to say Hari doesn't have many good points. It's good to question things especially if it's crippling and lowering your standard of living. He looks into aspects of depression and anxiety by interviewing reputable scientists, understanding the publications, interviews people who have their own experience with depression, and found he's not alone in his experience of antidepressants not working. He found overstatements, shady business, and a problematic approach to patients coming in claiming depression. My issue is, he then offers his own generalizations, jumps to conclusions (NOT as a scientist who did experiments on his hypothesis, he isn't a scientist but a journalist), leaves it with no disclaimers that they are, and writes it convincingly. This is a dangerous message and I know I'm not alone as I looked at other reviews who came to the same conclusion as me. I'm no pro-big pharma or anything like that. I don't defend the problematic things they've done but this isn't some simple issue to conclude that depression is not caused by brain chemistry. Especially by a journalist. Your body is filled with chemical reactions (digestion of food?). How can you say your brain, the most complex part of the body has no place in bodily chemistry? Every feeling has a chemical reaction in your brain. Even sleeping you have activity in your brain, depending on the amount of alpha or beta waves it indicates where in your sleep cycle you are. But again, I did mention he has good points. Research is not enough, there's plenty of studies that are not up to standard in making sure the people aren't biased but it's being worked on. Science has gotten more meticulous than before now that there are more people and realization that people are inherently biased. Hindsight is 20/20. Older studies have been retroactively been scrutinized and many papers are rescinded. But none of these discounts valid findings. Nuance is needed in these topics. My conclusion is, with my understanding and taking in Hari's valid points, find a good doctor for you, continue to take your SSRIs but also regularly see a therapist, do what makes you healthy and feel happy and to lower your stress. No antidepressants are some magical pill that fixes your life like Hari presents. It brings you to a baseline to then work on Hari's nine points. Yes, he has nine points he believes causes depression but you know? Neurotypical people struggle with those too. None of those are some cure or cause to depression. Everyone needs meaning and connection, antidepressants help people reach a baseline to then work on those points. If you read this, read with a bag of salt.
I think this book gives a very deep look at how our society helps disconnect us from each other and traps us feeling like this is how it will always be, which can fuel depression and its sister...twin... anxiety.
A stunning reveal of the deception Big Pharma has been hiding: pill antidepressants don't work, and depression isn't caused by a chemical imbalance. Backed up with an incredible amount of research and sound science, Hari investigates what the actual causes of depression are, and importantly, how we can collectively prevent it. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to continue living in this 21st century world.
The first half of this book baffled me. Hari carefully and methodically explains that depression is less a biological problem than a social problem. But....isn't that obvious? I'm sure there are exceptions, but surely most people don't just suddenly become depressed for no reason. Maybe being a Californian and a bit younger than the author is what allows me to take this for granted, but also maybe it's not as obvious as I think. Of course, it's always nice to have your beliefs confirmed by an "expert," whatever that means.
The second half of this book, in which Hari proposes solutions like more worker cooperatives, universal basic income, more collective action, and cultivating interdependence, was more up my alley. It's really very degrowth. The degrowth movement is pretty economically focused, but this book fits right in. It's a great argument for why degrowth society wouldn't leave us poor and miserable, but rather, less materially affluent and far more socially connected.
The second half of this book, in which Hari proposes solutions like more worker cooperatives, universal basic income, more collective action, and cultivating interdependence, was more up my alley. It's really very degrowth. The degrowth movement is pretty economically focused, but this book fits right in. It's a great argument for why degrowth society wouldn't leave us poor and miserable, but rather, less materially affluent and far more socially connected.
Wow, just wow. Tackles a difficult and complicated topic and breaks it down into simple language with empathy and understanding. A must read
WARNING! If you're on medication, PLEASE talk to your doctor before discontinuing it. Hari underscores the importance of it (however temporary) but reiterates it on his website (https://thelostconnections.com/ ).
[EDIT: It's worth noting that I additionally skipped the beginning chapters and went straight to the "Disconnection from" chapters. Had I read the book chronologically, I'm not sure that I would've continued reading it and therefore edited my review/rating from 5 stars to 4. I think Hari could have EASILY skipped the first half of the book.]
I was skeptical of this book when I began, but I loved the second half of it. Hari is great at grabbing your attention, holding it, and leaving you wanting more. But those beginning chapters were rough and a bit obnoxious, truth be told, to this reader anyway.
Knowledge about the how/why of a situation often helps me cope ahead and feel less anxious about the future. So knowing different types of things one gets depressed about and looking for solutions makes me feel better about a lifelong battle. I'm still uncertain how to influence greater societal change, but I'm very excited about the prospects.
[EDIT: It's worth noting that I additionally skipped the beginning chapters and went straight to the "Disconnection from" chapters. Had I read the book chronologically, I'm not sure that I would've continued reading it and therefore edited my review/rating from 5 stars to 4. I think Hari could have EASILY skipped the first half of the book.]
I was skeptical of this book when I began, but I loved the second half of it. Hari is great at grabbing your attention, holding it, and leaving you wanting more. But those beginning chapters were rough and a bit obnoxious, truth be told, to this reader anyway.
Knowledge about the how/why of a situation often helps me cope ahead and feel less anxious about the future. So knowing different types of things one gets depressed about and looking for solutions makes me feel better about a lifelong battle. I'm still uncertain how to influence greater societal change, but I'm very excited about the prospects.
An interesting meditation on how society could change to support those of us suffering from problems of living (depression, anxiety). If I had read this book at another time I may have rated more highly, but the solution the author proposes seem quite lofty and in the world how it is right now...I crave practical solutions :/