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  • Lost Connections

  • Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions
  • By: Johann Hari
  • Narrated by: Johann Hari
  • Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,336 ratings)

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Lost Connections

By: Johann Hari
Narrated by: Johann Hari
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Editorial reviews

This groundbreaking study of depression urges listeners to rethink what they know about mental health issues and reconsider how they are treated.

In Lost Connections, Johann Hari unpacks a distressing statistic: cases of anxiety and depression have been steadily on the rise since the 1980s, when he was diagnosed with depression as a teen. Curious as to why so many others in the Western world were also suffering from depression and anxiety and frustrated by the actions of the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry, Hari sets out to find the real cause of the mounting mental health crisis. He asks questions of himself and society at large, navigating the psychological and environmental factors that can generate such painful feelings of disconnection. 

Drawing conclusions from observations of different communities and lifestyles, this listen reveals that the stressors and loneliness of modern life may have more of an impact than you might think. Having battled such demons himself, Hari narrates his own audiobook with a sense of hard-won perspective that adds an element of powerful poignancy. Heavily researched and compelling, Lost Connections offers brand new insight on a critical subject matter.

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of Chasing the Scream, a radically new way of thinking about depression and anxiety.

What really causes depression and anxiety - and how can we really solve them? Award-winning journalist Johann Hari suffered from depression since he was a child and started taking antidepressants when he was a teenager. He was told that his problems were caused by a chemical imbalance in his brain. As an adult, trained in the social sciences, he began to investigate whether this was true - and he learned that almost everything we have been told about depression and anxiety is wrong.

Across the world, Hari found social scientists who were uncovering evidence that depression and anxiety are not caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains. In fact, they are largely caused by key problems with the way we live today. Hari's journey took him from a mind-blowing series of experiments in Baltimore, to an Amish community in Indiana, to an uprising in Berlin.

Once he had uncovered nine real causes of depression and anxiety, they led him to scientists who are discovering seven very different solutions - ones that work. It is an epic journey that will change how we think about one of the biggest crises in our culture today.

©2018 Johann Hari (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Lost Connections

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Loved it

Fantastic book! Easy to digest and full of useful concepts! A must-read for anyone who wants to be up to date with mental health and effective strategies to improve it!

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Excellent book

I was decidedly hesitant at buying this book because I did not want another pop psychology self help book. What I got was a book based on serious research that made me look at depression in general and my depression in particular, in a different way.
It clarified my thinking and has helped move me forward in my personal journey.
Thank you Johann for sharing your journey of discovery with us.

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Brilliant and insightful

This book opened up new ways of thinking for me. Allowing me to understand some basic fundamentals of mental illnesses

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An important wake up call

This book was an incredible reminder to look deeper at what your anxiety and depression are trying to tell you to focus on and heal

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I’m found

Finally understand my depressed

Love this book of real science AND compassion

Helped me to not try antidepressants again. Thanks

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A Personal Journey Well Told

A big fan of Hari's Chasing the Scream, I was keen to give this a go and, while it didn't hit the heights of Scream, it was well worth a listen. Hari delves into some of the perpetuating myths and big pharma propaganda surrounding depression and, in particular, medication for. I agreed with much of what he said and in most cases felt he backed it up with solid research, but as is usual with non fiction written by a layman, there is a personal side to the story and with it, an inevitable element of bias.

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Great stuff

Eye-opening look at depression and anxiety, easily as enthralling and well-researched as his last book.

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  • ccb
  • 11-04-2018

as a mental health nurse I loved it

Great in every way. reach out to others. Yes. thank you. Will use what I have learnt

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A BOOK THAT NEEDS TO BE READ

This book is life changing. Lost Connections tackles the issue of 'mental health' in a way that is seldom explored. It leaves you feeling knowledgeable, empowered, and with a greater compassion for yourself and society as a whole. I would recommend that everyone reads this no matter what history you have with 'mental health' as everyone can benefit from the exploration of self and ideas.

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I want EVERYONE to read this book!

Profound, paradigm-shifting, big-picture inquiry into the rising epidemic of anxiety and depression. It is beautifully and poignantly written, and Johann Hari has drawn together insights from a wide range of highly credible sources, together with vivid narratives both from his own life and others, which together create a coherent explanation of where we’ve lost our way, and how we might be able to get back on track. This book is a rich tonic for our very malnourished society. I sincerely hope that it will reach influencers far and wide, and lead to great change. I’ll be doing all I can to make sure that happens!

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