Let's talk about it

Abstract

Is it possible for a writer whose credibility has been doubted in the past to deliver a credible message now? That question hangs over Johann Han's book, Lost Connections: Uncovering the real causes of depression--and the unexpected solutions. In it, Han, hit by plagiarism claims in 2011, relays stories from across the globe about things that can stand as alternatives to antidepressant medications, such as community engagement and personal empowerment. He takes aim at the theory that depression is a brain-chemical imbalance. Despite extensive study, understanding of depression is so elusive that there is no traditional biomedical approach to it yet. The concept is a broad spectrum of types, subtypes and severity.