Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions
Why society, not just our brains, holds the key to mental health
About This Book
What if the key to unlocking real, lasting relief from depression and anxiety isn’t another pill but a map of nine lost connections? You’ll follow an investigative journey spanning continents, from the slums of London to the rainforests of the Congo. You’ll meet pioneers in neuroscience, sociology and psychology who reveal how disconnection—from meaningful work, other people, nature and more—fuels our suffering. Armed with this fresh perspective, you’ll discover how to rebuild these bonds in your own life and community, reclaiming a sense of purpose, belonging and hope. Prepare to challenge everything you thought you knew about mental health and forge a new, evidence-based path to genuine healing.About the Author
Johann Hari is an award-winning investigative journalist and bestselling author. After a decade testing the limits of antidepressants and exploring global taboos on addiction and mental health, he traveled over forty thousand miles interviewing top scientists, survivors and healers. His work has been featured in the Guardian, New York Times and on BBC and NPR. Johann brings rigorous reporting and deep empathy to every story, helping readers question old assumptions and discover surprising solutions.
Biggest Takeaway
You’ll come away with • A clear understanding of the nine root causes driving depression and anxiety far beyond brain chemistry • Practical, research-backed steps you can start this week to restore connection in your work, relationships and values • Tools to spot and overcome old stories that trap you in fear, shame or isolation • A fresh blueprint for collective solutions—from community action to workplace redesign—that begin to reverse the epidemic of despair
Key Insights from This Book
Explore the most important ideas and learn how to apply them in your life.
Your distress makes sense—it’s a signal, not a flaw
Harness the placebo power inside your own story
Loneliness is stress—reconnect before it wins
Get off the treadmill—find control in meaningful work
Materialism steals joy—choose values that fuel growth
Past hurts shape the present—heal by naming them
Inequality hits hard—we all feel the pinch of status gaps
Reclaim your future to dissolve despair today
Nature rewires the mind—step outside to reset
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