Book Review: Lost Connections, Johann Hari

Blurb: Depression and anxiety are now at epidemic levels. Why? Across the world, scientists have uncovered evidence for nine different causes. Some are in out biology, but most are in the way we are living today.

Lost Connections offers a radical new way of thinking about this crisis. It shows that once we understand the real causes, we can turn to pioneering new solutions - ones that offer real hope.

Book: Lost Connections by Johann Hari (2018)

Goodreads Rating: 4.29 stars

My Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

Price: £8.99 or used from £6.38

Audience:

This book is written for pretty much anymore who wants to know more about depression and anxiety, who is depressed or anxious themselves or knows someone who struggles with depression or anxiety.

I personally read it of because my interest in mental health and working with people who struggle with theirs.

Style of writing:

Although this book is focused on the scientific research surrounding the causes of depression, it is written in a way that is easy for its reader to understand. Hari talks about his conversations with those who conducted the research, so it is discussed in a chatty and personable manner.

"Brilliant for anyone wanting a better understanding of mental health"

Zoe Ball

What I liked about the book:

I liked how Hari talked about his personal experiences with depression. I find it much easier to relate to what it being said when the author has first-hand experience. The research and stories that are described in the book are based on Hari's path to discovery about his own mental illness.

He talks about both the nature causes and nurture causes, although her has a clear bias towards one side. But his bias is based on the research he learns and talks about. I think with a book about mental health it is important for the author to show all different perspectives and I believe Hari does this well.

This is done by the way Hari structured the book. Part 1 of the book is called The Crack in the Old Story and it is about the nature perspective. Part 2 is called Disconnection: Nine Causes of Depression and Anxiety and its chapters involve the nurture perspective. Finally, part 3 is called Reconnection: or a Different Kind of Antidepressant, which talks about strategies of overcoming our disconnection.

"The more people read this book, the better off the world will be" Naomi Klein

What I didn't like about the book:

There wasn't too much I didn't like about the book - I gave it 4 stars which is a really good rating. I guess the reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because at some points I felt like what was being said could have been done so in half the amount of pages. The book is 320 pages split into 22 chapters. So, if you are someone who finds books hard to finish, that might be the case for you with this one.

Having said that, the long detail to which Hari explains the research, experiences and stories makes it so much easier to understand. So, as much as that is my criticism, I do think it was important for making the book great.

Overview:

I really liked this book, I think it was structured well and very easy to understand. I recommend it to anyone who wants to lean more about mental health. If you are someone who prefers the facts and not the story, this may not be the book for you, but I think anyone is able to read it as it isn't written in an academic way.

LET'S STIVE FOR WELLBEING