Reddit meter
Lost Connections
416 pages, 2019
In his New York Times bestselling book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, award-winning journalist Johann Hari suffered from depression since he was a child and started taking antidepressants when he was a teenager.
As an adult, trained in the social sciences, he began to investigate this question—and he learned that almost everything we have been told about depression and anxiety is wrong. Across the world, Hari discovered social scientists who were uncovering the real causes—and they are mostly not in our brains, but in the way, we live today.
Hari’s journey took him from the people living in the tunnels beneath Las Vegas to an Amish community in Indiana to an uprising in Berlin—all showing in vivid and dramatic detail these new insights.
In Lost Connections, Johann Hari explores the real causes of depression and anxiety. He argues that they are not just chemical imbalances in the brain, but are deeply connected to the way we live our lives today. This book encourages you to look beyond the traditional medical model and see depression as a societal issue.
Hari emphasizes the importance of connection in our lives. He suggests that our disconnection from meaningful work, from other people, and from nature can lead to feelings of despair and loneliness. So, take a moment to check your connections and find ways to strengthen them.
Lost Connections challenges the common belief that antidepressants are the only solution to depression and anxiety. Hari's research shows that these medications can often mask the real issues. It's a call to dig deeper into the root causes of our mental health struggles.
Hari makes a compelling case that our society plays a significant role in our mental health. He suggests that societal changes, such as increased isolation and less community involvement, contribute to rising rates of depression and anxiety. It's a reminder to look at the bigger picture when it comes to our mental health.
In Lost Connections, you'll find a roadmap to healing. Hari provides practical solutions to reconnect with what truly matters in life. From reconnecting with nature to fostering meaningful relationships, this book offers a fresh perspective on mental health and well-being.
Quotes 5
Lost Connections brilliantly weaves together our understanding of depression and its treatment. This is a game-changing book.
Elton John - Legendary MusicianThis amazing book elegantly moves us beyond the simplistic notion of 'chemical imbalances' and into a more comprehensive understanding of depression.
Hillary Clinton - Former U.S. SecretaryLost Connections offers a wonderful and incisive analysis of the depression and alienation that are haunting American society.
Arianna Huffington - HuffPost FounderThis book is an enlightening analysis of the society we live in and a compelling path to reconnecting with the world around us.
Russell Brand - Comedian, ActorLost Connections is a provocative and insightful look at the root causes of mental health problems and the societal changes needed.
Glenn Greenwald - Journalist, Author
