Lost Connections

I came to this book already loving Johann Hari’s other work. His journalistic rigour interspersed with human stories was what I loved most about Chasing the Scream.

"Lost Connections" explores the underlying causes of depression and anxiety in modern society. The book argues that the traditional medical approach of treating these conditions with medication doesn't always address the root cause of the problem.

Hari suggests that many people feel disconnected from the world around them, and that this disconnection can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. He identifies various societal factors, such as our disconnection from meaningful work, community, nature, and other people, that contribute to this sense of disconnection.

Throughout the book, Hari shares stories of individuals who have overcome their depression and anxiety by making changes in their lives that address these root causes of disconnection. He also calls for systemic changes to address these societal factors and promote a more connected and fulfilling way of life.

Overall, "Lost Connections" offers a compelling and thought-provoking perspective on the causes of depression and anxiety in our modern world, and provides practical advice for individuals and society as a whole to address these issues.

Favourite Quote:

“You aren’t a machine with broken parts. You are an animal whose needs are not being met. You need to have a community. You need to have meaningful values, not the junk values you’ve been pumped full of all your life, telling you happiness comes through money and buying objects. You need to have meaningful work. You need the natural world. You need to feel you are respected. You need a secure future. You need connections to all these things. You need to release any shame you might feel for having been mistreated.”

Johann Hari