Yet it is a natural response to the loss of connection to a loved one. He also observed that people who were suffering grief at the loss of a loved one – the bereaved – displayed the symptoms of depression and were often diagnosed as being clinically depressed. He quotes Professor Andrew Skull of Princeton who said attributing depression to low serotonin is “deeply misleading and unscientific”. 50% were due to the story you had been told about them (the placebo effect).25% of the effect of antidepressants were due to natural recovery.I was shocked at how persistent inaccuracies – and lies – about the efficacy of antidepressants have prevailed. He tells the story of his investigation into the causes of depression and other ways to recover. The author wrote the book having spent a lifetime taking medication for depression on the understanding that it was caused by a chemical imbalance in his brain (endogenous depression – a malfunction).

While some say that one in four people will experience poor mental health at some point in their lives – others put this figure as high as 50%.Everything that causes an increase in depression also causes an increase in anxiety and the other way around.Total prescriptions issued for antidepressants across the UK in 2017 stood at over 82 million – a figure that has doubled over the last decade.One in five US adults are taking at least one drug for a psychiatric problem nearly one in four middle-aged women in the United Stes is taking antidepressants at any given time.At any one time 2% of the population is suffering from depression and 14% of people will experience it by the age of 35.The mean age for depression today is 14.5 years compared to 29.5 years in 1960.Depression is now 10 times higher than it was in 1960.The statistics on mental health are alarming: I can’t do justice to this great book with a short review so I urge you to read a copy yourself. There’s also support to reduce your consumption of advertising and social media and increase your connections to others to improve your own mental health. It also has important lessons for those developing land, communities and property. Employment – particularly the lack of meaningful work, status, respect and a secure future – is shown to be a source of several potential causes of depression so it is important that leaders and employers understand their role. This book helps us understand the causes of depression in an accessible way whether we are suffering ourselves or caring for those who are. Everyone is aware of the growing problem in mental health. “ Lost connections – Why you’re depressed and how to find hope” by Johann Hari was a revelation.

As a psychologist, counsellor and trustee of a mental health charity I thought I’d share my thoughts on this brilliant book. (Important update at March 2023 – please read this post art and science of overcoming clinical depression (2021) by Oliver Kamm” ()).

Lost connections johann hari review