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Frakoblet: De egentlige årsakene til depresjon - og de overraskende løsningene by Johann Hari
hendepoika's review against another edition
3.0
Aika nautinnollista kerrontaa taas Harilta (Chasing the Scream myös kova suositus). Hyvin se on ottanu selvää masennuksen ja ahdistuksen syistä ja mitä asialle vois tehä. Vaivaa nähty, mistä voi nauttia. Hari pyrkii aina ottamaan yhteyttä ja haastattelemaan kunkin alan kovimpia asiantuntijoita, mikä tuo kirjaan kyllä tiettyä pätevyyttä. Eniten kuitenkin nautin kaikista yksittäisten ihmisten tarinoista, ne on hyvin kerrottu. Väitän, että masentuneelle ihmiselle tästä kirjasta vois olla paljonkin hyötyä.
"In that very brief process, he told me, one person tells somebody else who's important to them... something [they regard as] deeply shameful about themselves, typically for the first time in their life. And [she] comes out of that with the realization - 'I still seem to be accepted by this person.' It's potentially transformative."
"In that very brief process, he told me, one person tells somebody else who's important to them... something [they regard as] deeply shameful about themselves, typically for the first time in their life. And [she] comes out of that with the realization - 'I still seem to be accepted by this person.' It's potentially transformative."
dovesfalling's review against another edition
5.0
“The Internet was born into a world where many people had already lost their sense of connection to each other. The collapse had already been taking place for decades by then. The web arrived offering them a kind of parody of what they were losing—Facebook friends in place of neighbours, video games in place of meaningful work, status updates in place of status in the world. The comedian Marc Maron once wrote that “every status update is a just a variation on a single request: ‘Would someone please acknowledge me?”
Some of the reviews for this book absolutely terrify me. But even worse are the responses.
Thanks! I guess I can skip this one!
Oh, snap. Was looking forward to it. I’ll give it a miss.
No, no, no. Nope! People, read this book. Please do not listen to reviews that are at best, shallow, and at worst, willfully ignorant. A lot of the negativity comes from people reacting exactly as Johann predicted they would, when presented with the idea that anti-depressant medications are a tool for Big Pharma to make billions, and have a negligible effect (if any) on the actual medical issues they are supposed to be treating. The reaction to this theory is – naturally – resentment, discomfort, disbelief or even anger. The prevailing sentiment seems to be, “but they work for me! Or they slightly work for me! Or they’ve worked for someone I know! How dare you!”, and that is not productive, nor is it solid evidence that Johann’s research is flawed.
Johann Hari talked to thousands of people while writing this book. Professionals and laypersons. Doctors from all over the world. Therapists. Patients. People suffering from depression and anxiety, and people with relatives suffering. He did his research. He’s made some very bold claims. And the glib reaction to those claims and theories in some of the reviews posted online really, really get under my skin. Mainly because I truly believe that this book could help save lives – and by that I don’t mean life, in terms of not dying, but life as in living. I believe this book could help people to live.
When speaking with these doctors and doing this research, Johann discovered the uncomfortable, inflammatory fact that most of the time, anti-depressants have a very small effect on depression. In some cases, they may not work at all. In others, they work, but then they stop working, and the dose needs to be doubled, tripled, quadrupled. The end result? Millions upon millions of people are on these pills, and these pills are draining into our wastewater, and pharmaceutical company executives are working at solid gold desks, and for what? What are we actually treating? Have we gotten to the root of the problem, or are we scratching futilely at the surface?
It reminds me of Febreze commercials. Stay with me! In the commercials, a dog will jump up on a couch and rub its wet dog smell** all over the cushions, and the woman (it’s almost always a woman), comes out of the kitchen smiling, with a spray bottle of chemicals, and spritzes the absolute shit out of the room. She smiles. Ahhh, that fresh scent of artificial lavender and spring breezes! But the smell isn’t actually gone. It’s just disguised. It’s been covered with a thin layer of whatever-the-fuck is in that spray bottle, and for a while at least, everyone is happy.
But underneath? The original smell is still there.
That’s what this book reminded me of. That rot – unless properly taken care of – will remain, and fester, and grow. We can try to medicate ourselves out of it, but at what cost? I should note here that I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over a decade, and I’ve medicated, and I haven’t medicated, and recently, I came off the drugs for good. The withdrawal was beyond horrendous, but I got through it, and am now utilizing (through therapy) a lot of the tools Hari mentions in the book. Many reviewers found these tools troubling.
Yes, gardening isn’t possible for everyone. Sure, not everyone can get out into nature. Meditation might seem intimidating. Living more toward your actual values is a foreign concept. But these tools are real things that have actually helped real people, and to dismiss them outright is foolish, dangerous, and contrary to what I believe most human beings want – to live a meaningful, purposeful life that has moments of joy, moments of contentment, and moments of peace.
While I truly think that some reviewers read this with a closed mind – unable and unwilling to confront the ideas that Hari presents – I hope that the majority of people will carve out a space in their hearts for these simple, powerful concepts.
Connection. Family. Tribes. Values. Nature. And the bald truth that your pain is trying to tell you something.
Listen.
Answer it.
**Note, I absolutely adore dogs and would happily give my life for mine. This is just an example. PLEASE BE NICE TO DOGGIES AND ALL OTHER FUR PEOPLE.
fletchersmum's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe I liked thus book because it fits with my already held views on the subject. I’ll admit that not much was new in here as I work in healthcare and have read widely on most of the topics he covers. Having said that, I loved this book. I don’t agree with other reviewers who’ve criticised the author’s position on anti-depressants because he is clear that medications can have a role to play in the treatment of mental health. Though he does question the role of big pharma in the explosion of anti-depressant prescribing in spite of fairly mediocre effectiveness demonstrated by clinics studies, he is not completely dismissing medication as part of mental health treatment. Rather, he is asking logical and undeniably relevant questions as to why we are where we are with an explosion in depression and anxiety conditions across western societies, what it’s costing our societies not to acknowledge and address the underlying drivers, and what can possibly be done about it.
bookreadingelf's review against another edition
3.25
Not sure what to think. More research needs to be done.
chrissi_lange's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
An amazing book by an amazing author. Really sad to see/read about how our modern society makes so many of us sick. I had never thought about depression as a collective problem before. I do recommend it strongly, but not if what you're looking for is a self-help book.
emleemay's review against another edition
I have a lot of thoughts about this.
For some background, I've owned this book for a while. I was initially drawn to it because I am personally interested in the causes of, and the science behind, depression, but I was later turned off, both by some of the criticisms and the fact that the UK version of this book has a much stronger self-help vibe than a science-y vibe (I'm all about the technical language, as you can see). The UK subtitle is actually "Why You're Depressed and How to Find Hope".
Still, people raved about this book. I don't care much for celebrities, but even I can appreciate the impressive list of names offering up their praise on the cover and inside. Some people feel this book is a mindblowing exposé, yet others feel it is a waste of paper. Some have called it "dangerous". In the end it was controversy, I guess, that made me curious.
I will start by saying that Hari is, in my opinion, a fantastic nonfiction writer. He employs a technique used by the most-loved pop sci writers, like [a:Malcolm Gladwell|1439|Malcolm Gladwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1564001739p2/1439.jpg], in which he begins his chapters with an emotive anecdote that draws you into the narrative he is spinning. He then goes on to reveal the science and statistics behind the point he is making, often delivered in a deliberately dramatic fashion. It makes for very compelling reading.
There can be no doubt here-- Johann Hari is not a scientist, not a psychiatrist, but a journalist. And he is very good at what he does.
The book is split into three parts. The first attempts to dispel the myths that apparently everyone, including most doctors, believe about depression and antidepressants. The second explains what Hari believes to be the true nine causes of depression and anxiety. The third is what we can do about it, and it is the most self-helpy of the bunch.
The controversy mostly surrounds part one, though I think the criticisms are as overblown as some of Hari's most grandiose claims. Dean Burnett responded to the publication of this book by begging people not to stop taking antidepressants, which heavily implies that Hari suggests you abandon them, which is not the case. In fact, Hari openly states that giving up antidepressants is long and complex and should be done with a doctor's guidance, if at all.
Hari certainly sets up a few Straw Men of his own here, the most obvious being his stance that almost no one in the medical community was willing to acknowledge other causes of depression outside of the "brain chemistry" explanation until he came along, which is ludicrous. I think Hari is one of those people who has a certain set of experiences and then thinks he can apply his own experiences to everyone. It is also telling that most of his sources are dated between the 1970s and 1990s.
He is probably right that SSRIs are overprescribed, but his fuelling of Big Pharma conspiracy theories is extremely reductive. The issue is far more complex than 1) Antidepressants do nothing, 2) Drug companies want to make money so they are prescribed anyway.
The truth is that our understanding of depression is still in its infancy, and doctors have to do what they can with the limited, sometimes contradictory, information that is available to them. When thousands of patients are coming to them depressed, many of said patients the poorest members of society, it is not an option for doctors to prescribe them better relationships, a more fulfilling job, a mountain climb. They have to save their lives and help them get through each day in that moment. Often drugs are that first line of defence. Very few people think this is ideal.
Part two is less controversial. In fact, I'd say it's more just... obvious. Hari is very good at writing like he is the first person ever to have had the thoughts he is putting down, then dramatically lifting the curtain on ideas that have been around for decades. Of course having good relationships with family and friends, a rewarding job, a secure future, and time spent wandering the rose garden will decrease your chances of depression. Who could have possibly guessed?
It all culminates in a no-brainer in the final part of the book. Hari has discovered the real answer to everyone's problems, the ultimate cure for depression is the never before seen concept of... socialism. I mean, I think he's right. It's certainly not a cure-all, but in societies where social security is higher and inequality is lower, depression is also lower. Humans have core needs that are not being met by modern capitalism.
[b:Lost Connections|34921573|Lost Connections Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions|Johann Hari|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631416785l/34921573._SX50_.jpg|56184854] is a book of old ideas rebranded as something innovative. It is compulsively readable, flawed, melodramatic and arrogant. Arrogant in the sense that it positions Hari as an oracle of new wisdom at the same time as he regurgitates old studies and other people's ideas.
The worst part of the book is where he falls into a non sequitur, using the results of drug efficacy studies to suggest that most doctors are actively trying to get you on antidepressants. The best parts are the reminders he gives for what really matters in life, backed up by statistics. It's obvious, really, though I think in our day-to-day lives it's also easy to forget.
For some background, I've owned this book for a while. I was initially drawn to it because I am personally interested in the causes of, and the science behind, depression, but I was later turned off, both by some of the criticisms and the fact that the UK version of this book has a much stronger self-help vibe than a science-y vibe (I'm all about the technical language, as you can see). The UK subtitle is actually "Why You're Depressed and How to Find Hope".
Still, people raved about this book. I don't care much for celebrities, but even I can appreciate the impressive list of names offering up their praise on the cover and inside. Some people feel this book is a mindblowing exposé, yet others feel it is a waste of paper. Some have called it "dangerous". In the end it was controversy, I guess, that made me curious.
I will start by saying that Hari is, in my opinion, a fantastic nonfiction writer. He employs a technique used by the most-loved pop sci writers, like [a:Malcolm Gladwell|1439|Malcolm Gladwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1564001739p2/1439.jpg], in which he begins his chapters with an emotive anecdote that draws you into the narrative he is spinning. He then goes on to reveal the science and statistics behind the point he is making, often delivered in a deliberately dramatic fashion. It makes for very compelling reading.
There can be no doubt here-- Johann Hari is not a scientist, not a psychiatrist, but a journalist. And he is very good at what he does.
The book is split into three parts. The first attempts to dispel the myths that apparently everyone, including most doctors, believe about depression and antidepressants. The second explains what Hari believes to be the true nine causes of depression and anxiety. The third is what we can do about it, and it is the most self-helpy of the bunch.
The controversy mostly surrounds part one, though I think the criticisms are as overblown as some of Hari's most grandiose claims. Dean Burnett responded to the publication of this book by begging people not to stop taking antidepressants, which heavily implies that Hari suggests you abandon them, which is not the case. In fact, Hari openly states that giving up antidepressants is long and complex and should be done with a doctor's guidance, if at all.
Hari certainly sets up a few Straw Men of his own here, the most obvious being his stance that almost no one in the medical community was willing to acknowledge other causes of depression outside of the "brain chemistry" explanation until he came along, which is ludicrous. I think Hari is one of those people who has a certain set of experiences and then thinks he can apply his own experiences to everyone. It is also telling that most of his sources are dated between the 1970s and 1990s.
He is probably right that SSRIs are overprescribed, but his fuelling of Big Pharma conspiracy theories is extremely reductive. The issue is far more complex than 1) Antidepressants do nothing, 2) Drug companies want to make money so they are prescribed anyway.
The truth is that our understanding of depression is still in its infancy, and doctors have to do what they can with the limited, sometimes contradictory, information that is available to them. When thousands of patients are coming to them depressed, many of said patients the poorest members of society, it is not an option for doctors to prescribe them better relationships, a more fulfilling job, a mountain climb. They have to save their lives and help them get through each day in that moment. Often drugs are that first line of defence. Very few people think this is ideal.
Part two is less controversial. In fact, I'd say it's more just... obvious. Hari is very good at writing like he is the first person ever to have had the thoughts he is putting down, then dramatically lifting the curtain on ideas that have been around for decades. Of course having good relationships with family and friends, a rewarding job, a secure future, and time spent wandering the rose garden will decrease your chances of depression. Who could have possibly guessed?
It all culminates in a no-brainer in the final part of the book. Hari has discovered the real answer to everyone's problems, the ultimate cure for depression is the never before seen concept of... socialism. I mean, I think he's right. It's certainly not a cure-all, but in societies where social security is higher and inequality is lower, depression is also lower. Humans have core needs that are not being met by modern capitalism.
[b:Lost Connections|34921573|Lost Connections Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions|Johann Hari|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631416785l/34921573._SX50_.jpg|56184854] is a book of old ideas rebranded as something innovative. It is compulsively readable, flawed, melodramatic and arrogant. Arrogant in the sense that it positions Hari as an oracle of new wisdom at the same time as he regurgitates old studies and other people's ideas.
The worst part of the book is where he falls into a non sequitur, using the results of drug efficacy studies to suggest that most doctors are actively trying to get you on antidepressants. The best parts are the reminders he gives for what really matters in life, backed up by statistics. It's obvious, really, though I think in our day-to-day lives it's also easy to forget.
bakerisreading's review against another edition
4.0
This book touches on some very important issues in how we live today in developed nations. I wish I could get my children to read it. I’ll be talking to them about the importance of connection in their lives to support their mental health.
The biggest takeaway for me was the role the ego plays in anxiety and depression.
The biggest takeaway for me was the role the ego plays in anxiety and depression.