Welcome to Litsy!

After seeing a TED Talk, I had the local library order this book for me. That was 5 years ago. I have my own copy now. It's been a huge help in finding my way back on my own. It was never me. It was how I dealt with how I allowed people to treat me. And I can change that. I have. It's an ongoing struggle against my natural inclination to trust, believe, and look for affirmation. I wish my wife had read it before she surrendered her life to Prozac.

I picked this up from @Mrs_B ‘s post, & absolutely devoured it. I found it compelling, fascinating & hopeful.

The book explores the social/environmental aspects of depression, calling for a change in thinking & treatments. I had more issues with his starting points than his conclusions. Despite the subtitle, this is less a self-help book and more a pulling together of the social research that‘s out there. Interesting stuff and one I may revisit.

It‘s rare I read a book like this so quickly, I often start them meaning well then give up halfway through. This book though was riveting. It is so well researched, it challenged a lot of what I thought I knew about depression and anxiety. I can highly recommend it.

“We live under a system that constantly distracts us from what‘s really good about life.”
“We are being propagandized to live in a way that doesn‘t meet our basic psychological needs so we are left with a permanent puzzling sense of dissatisfaction.”

I've had some major upheaval in the last few months. Nothing devastating, but enough to need a reset. As a result, I am giving myself a “summer sabbatical“ through July (and maybe August)-- no obligations, just digging into what actually brings me joy.

With this in mind, I will not be posting #IntegrateYourShelf prompts for July (apologies to anyone who was looking for them in June), but I will be giving July's #BookSpin a go! August TBD...

Audio read by author. An impulse listen after @Buechersuechtling posted about it and I'M FOREVER GREATFUL THAT I SAW THE POST. So yes, this book is about depression and anxiety but it's about so much more-humanity, society, values, hope, change. Just WOW. It has really gotten me through the last 3 days. I will be buying a physical copy as well.

OK. I'm cleaning and audiobooking. ¡Ya basta!! ¡Sácala sácala...!

"Junk values are distorting our minds. Materialism is KFC for the soul."

@Buechersuechtling posted about this one today and I've seen others posting about it as well. At some point I must have purchased it because I had it in my audible library. I decided to give it a listen because no matter the outcome of events over the next few weeks I will still be a resident of the modern world and I need help navigating it!

This Blinkist version of a book about the reasons for depression resonated with me. I didn‘t get new insights but it strengthened me re-cognise that feeling hopeless and depressed is not (completely) about me but in large parts because of modern life. I can‘t tell what to do about that because I can‘t change the world, only small parts … But listening cheered me up.

Only question: Where do I get my social prescription❓

“To feel compassion means to sincerely rejoice for other people and to overcome negative feelings [...] For this, try to transfer the positive feelings for close people to strangers in regular meditation exercises.
In the next step, you can try to project this new empathy on people you envy or you don‘t like. You will be amazed how much more balanced and contented you go through life.” (Section 12)

⬆️⬆️⬆️ Am I strong enough for that❓🤔

One of the best books I have ever read ❤ A must read.

What if depression is, in fact, a form of grief—for our own lives not being as they should? What if it is a form of grief for the connections we have lost, yet still need?

“Depression is a normal response to abnormal life experiences.”

I hope that this quote finds you if you need it.

Depression is the symptom, not the problem. It‘s the smoke, not the fire.
There‘s a big difference - as I‘m learning from this book!

“...being disconnected from the people around you had the same effect on your health as being obese —which was, until then, considered the biggest health crisis the developed world faced.” P.129

I‘ve been feeling really depressed for the last 6 weeks. So I‘m setting a goal for myself to post everyday for a month. I know some days I‘ll post 6 times and others just once right before midnight but hopefully I find some peace and content-ness from being apart of the litsy community again ❤️

This book is already hitting a nerve 😭

Wow, wow, wow! This book was so f*•king awesome. My favourite of the year. It‘s a book about depression and anxiety that everyone should read as these conditions touch us all either personally or through someone you know. It is very well written and researched. This book has changed my life and I will re read it every year. This book has made me look at the way I live my life and has filled me with knowledge and hope. Sooooooooo good! 😊

Birthday bookhaul update: the total has now reached 15! 📚😍
Thank you, Katie @youneverarrived , that's really thoughtful of you 😘. I'll be sure to report back.

very interesting read so far 🧐

I had to buy this book when it came out - it‘s high on my to read list. As someone who suffers from anxiety (I rarely talk about that aspect of myself), I also have bouts of depression. I‘m always interested in learning more about what could be the cause or reasoning behind it. #TelephoneWire #MusicalNewYear

I wanted to hate this book but I don‘t. Hari‘s central thesis is that modern treatment of depression/ anxiety is to focussed on drugs as the panacea solution and that a more holistic social and psychological approach is required and that the source of these ailments can be linked to a disassociation we feel from others, from our jobs, from the environment. Drugs have a place, but it must be viewed in conjunction with these other factors.

“It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a sick society.” So true. #quoteoftheday

Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions

#depression #selfhelp #nonfiction

2 books from the library today ... This is the first one ...

I just heard Johann Hari speak in Adelaide - wow! Who knew that a talk about depression could be so entertaining and uplifting. I‘ve bought the book & can‘t wait to read it - a fascinating topic which he explains so clearly. 🌻

A little late, but here‘s my #SeptemberTBR. Field of Blood is my most #AnticipatedSeptemberRead #SeptInBooks18 #ReadingResolutions

Learning about #lostconnections. Now on chapter on disconnection from meaningful values..

Deep quote, digging at the core of loneliness. It‘s more than a feeling, it‘s a state of existence.

Treating depression as strictly an individual and biological issue is wrong, according to Hari; we need to examine the society that's giving rise to spiralling depression & anxiety rates. I'm not sure this book comes together as a whole to prove the author's point, but certain sections are fascinating. A valuable questioning of mainstream thought on this topic.

#nonfiction #mentalhealth #mentalillnss #depression #anxiety #psychology #sociology

"Materialism is KFC for the soul."

Yay, looking forward to delving into this one 😊

My current audio book— it‘s very interesting, and he‘s got a great voice!

A little late but how can I miss a good library post?

1. At least twice a week
2. I really want to see the one at Trinity
3. The tagged book
4. I think I was 5.

#trivialthursday
@GarthRanzz

A interesting and insightful read, Hari takes you through the history of modern treatment for depression and anxiety. He also shows some potential nonmedicated options for treating/managing depression and anxiety.

This was a thoroughly worthwhile read.

Hari‘s attempt to brainwash people into thinking socialism is the cure for depression, completely taints the rest of what-would-be legitimate arguments. I wanted to give Lost Connections one star because of how infuriating it is that Hari politisizes depression.
BUT, upon reflection - it did connect some dots in my own struggles. I‘d recommend this book to employers. There‘s a wealth of information that an employer could apply to work environment