LOST CONNECTIONS by Johann Hari was just published this week and deals, as the subtitle notes, with "Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions." This was actually a very surprising and quite interesting book to read because the author builds an argument against more commonly accepted causes of depression such as serotonin levels and genetics. Hari argues instead that depression and anxiety are caused by society and by our increasing disconnections from meaningful work, from each other, from nature, etc. I found myself wanting to learn more, especially because Hari does not have a medical degree (which he acknowledges), but does speak with authority due to his own experience with depression. He supplements his personal observations with thousands of hours of interviews and numerous studies; these are cited in the wide-ranging notes, in part a reaction to past questions in the UK about his sources. Hari describes in detail, for example, the research regarding loneliness that University of Chicago professor John Cacioppo and others have conducted. Coincidentally, the UK Prime Minister last week appointed a Minister of Loneliness which is estimated to impact over nine million Brits. In 2010, AARP projected the corresponding American figure to be almost 43 million.

In his conclusion, Hari writes, "We need to stop trying to muffle or silence or pathologize that pain. Instead, we need to listen to it, and honor it. It is only ... when we can see its true causes, can we begin to overcome it." Calling LOST CONNECTIONS a "sure-to-be-controversial book," Kirkus says, "Hari delivers a weighty, well-supported, persuasive argument against treating depression pharmaceutically." I can think of several groups who will be curious to read more about his claims: our Social Work Department, Health Services, various teachers, and, of course, students and their parents.

Links in Live post:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/17/578645954/u-k-now-has-a-minister-for-loneliness
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/johann-hari/lost-connections/

Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression and the Unexpected Solutions is by renowned UK author journalist Johann Hari. Through extensive research and interviews with a host of experts, educators and other medical professionals; the connection between depression and anxiety is established with its huge impact on all aspects of humanity. In addition, Hari shared his own stories of near death illness after food poisoning in Vietnam, and diagnosis with depression and acute anxiety and his prescribed treatment with psychiatric medication.

The UK has the highest antidepressant use in Europe, 1 in 10 male American high school students are prescribed powerful stimulants for focus and attention deficits, 1 in 5 Americans are taking medication for psychiatric conditions. Addiction to illicit opioid substance has reached epidemic levels in the USA; with the life expectancy of white males decreasing for the first time in peacetime history.
With the use of psychiatric medication skyrocketing, it is easy to trace the history of usage. For decades nearly all of the research, development of psychotropic medications are funded, advertised, marketed, and heavily promoted for public consumption by powerful corporate interests in the pharmaceutical industry. Hari found that studies submitted for FDA approval always presented these drugs in the most favorable conditions even if the clinical trial evidence showed no difference between the use of antidepressants vs. placebo’s. The side effects, he noted are very real: weight gain, profuse sweating, and sexual dysfunction. In the worst cases, there may be an increased risk of suicide. The 1960’s pop singer Dale Shannon reportedly committed suicide after taking Prozac. Despite the pharmaceutical industry payouts of exorbitant sums of money from lawsuit claims, the profit margins are increasingly higher than ever.
There are several instances noted of the placebo effect: The “Perkins” Wand of Dr. John Haygarth at Bath General Hospital (1799) was highly effective when moved (without touching) over a patient with debilitating pain, treatments were repeated as needed with much success. During WWII when morphine ran out on the battlefield, soldiers were told that the IV saline solution was morphine-- it worked!

When Hari began taking Seroxat (Paxill)-- he believed in the “chemical imbalance of the brain” theory. Many doctors believed that depression was caused by reduced levels of serotonin in the brain. Since no one actually knows what a chemically balanced brain looks like, this claim or explanation is a “myth” with no scientific proof according to professor Jo Anna Moncrief (University College London). Hari found his depression and sadness remained or returned after the dosages of his medication were increased, the same in 65%-85% of other patient data studies.
Traveling over thousands of miles, Hari visited an Amish Village in Indiana to compare levels of anxiety and depression and the reasons the Amish remain separated from mainstream society. A housing project in Berlin, and a city in Brazil that banned public advertising were studied along with a clinic in Baltimore that researched the effects and experience of trauma. “Chasing The Scream” (2015) wasn’t as challenging for him to write as this book, since we have been “systematically misinformed” regarding depression and anxiety. Hari presents 9 proven causes related to disconnection with suggestions ways to reconnect that will heal and transform lives. **With thanks and appreciation to Bloomsbury Publishing USA UK via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

What an amazing book! The author's commitment to research, his top-notch narrative, and his highly original approach made for a wonderful read. As a mental health advocate, I'm keenly interested in new ways of thinking about how mental illness is formed and how we can feel better. Without giving anything away, "Lost Connections" provides convincing answers as to how depression evolves and how we can overcome it in a variety of ways. I'm still pro-medication, but after reading Mr. Haris' book, I'm inspired by reading about the powerful connections he examines. I definitely want to create some of my own connections now that I've read this book!