Lost Connections by Johann Hari

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi 

Johann Hari is a British writer and journalist. Having published a New York Times Best-seller, Chasing the Scream he now brings us Lost Connections, a book about the real causes of anxiety and depression.

In this very personable story, Johann shares his journey through depression and beyond. One that leads him to travel across the globe interviewing experts in the fields of anxiety and depression. What’s left is a book that highlights 9 causes and several remedies for healing a population with an evidently increasing problem.

As a teenager, Johann struggled with his own level of depression. He thought there was something wrong with himself. He went to doctors who prescribed him anti-depressants that although temporarily helped masked his symptoms he continued living with his anxiety and depression. For years he held on to the belief, as he was informed, that his depression is a mere cause of a chemical imbalance in the brain. He has since discovered that except for the very rare occasion this is very far from the truth.

Johann begins the book with his personal journey and why writing this book is of great importance to him. He then clarifies in a simple tone the true definition of anxiety and depression. Explaining not only how they are separated in cause and effect but how they also differ from sadness and unhappiness. From there he delves into the real causes and the why, where and how lost connections arise.

As I listened to Johann, who personally narrates his book (thanks audible.com), I was in agreeance the entire way. As far as I can tell we are living in the lost age. Fuck the digital age, the age of information or the data generation. Our problem is that we have become so consumed by the race forward that we have forgotten what it truly means to be and live a human existence. We’ve lost connection with our human fundamentals.

As Johann highlights, the brain is not a separate entity from the external world and for that reason shouldn’t be treated separately. Although doctors may have us believe our depression is a genetic matter or merely an imbalance in chemicals, neuroscience and research from psychologists and scientists are indicating something different. That fact that our brains are a condition of our environment and it is the disconnection to our external world that appears to be the real reason why we suffer as we do.

Modern civilisation has us more cut off and disconnected than any other time in history. And while depression and anxiety are said to be an age-old issue, now more than ever before it is rampant. In Australia, it is said that at any one time up to 3 million people are affected by depression or anxiety. In America, it is up to almost 20% of the population. On top of that, we are more medicated and prescribed than ever before and the problem isn’t subsiding.

There are many great chapters in this book, and while I appreciate the science and research presented I really enjoyed the basic principles that Johann addresses. Out of the nine identified causes here are a few that are simple reminders of what we could be thinking and be doing more about.

Disconnection from people, disconnection from meaningful work, disconnection from values, disconnection from nature, and disconnection from status and respect.

In part three, Johann represents a different kind of treatment. As we are now in a better understanding of the causes, the solutions follow suit. Find more reasons to connect on a face to face level with other people as often as you can. Create more opportunities to get amongst nature. Discover more ways to do meaningful work. Reconnect with your core values and be integral to these. Find solace in meditation. Johann shares many more greatly insightful solutions.

If anxiety or depression has plagued your life or still is, or perhaps you know someone affected, then this work by Johann Hari is a must read. It delivers the research to will give you confidence that it’s not just wishy-washy theory and irrelevant antidotes but factual, solid evidence. He then provides solutions that those suffering from depression might find difficult to accept, however they are healthy and sustainable solutions to treat this global phenomime. This is an important piece of work in a time of need.

If this book sounds of interest you can purchase Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions here.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Peace, passion and purpose…

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