Lost Connections, It's Not Always Depression, Surrounded by Idiots 3 Book Set

This three-book set brings together Lost Connections by Johann Hari, It's Not Always Depression by Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson. Each title approaches mental health, emotions and communication from a distinct perspective, drawing on scientific research, psychotherapy and personality-based frameworks.

Across the collection, the authors explore why depression and anxiety are described as being at epidemic levels, how reconnecting with emotions can support psychological wellbeing, and why people can struggle to communicate with certain personality types. The set also includes discussion of techniques and methods intended to help readers better understand themselves and their interactions with others.

Included titles

• Lost Connections
• It's Not Always Depression
• Surrounded by Idiots

Key details

• Three-book set
• Lost Connections by Johann Hari
• It's Not Always Depression by Hilary Jacobs Hendel
• Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
• It's Not Always Depression won Nautilus Silver for Personal Growth Books 2019

Synopses

Lost Connections

This book argues that depression and anxiety have reached epidemic levels and asks why. It references evidence for nine different causes, including some rooted in biology and others linked to the way people live today. It proposes that understanding these causes can point towards new solutions and a more hopeful response to the crisis.

It's Not Always Depression

Hilary Jacobs Hendel presents an approach that focuses on experiencing emotions in order to better understand thoughts and the self. The book discusses core emotions, defences and inhibitory emotions such as anxiety, shame and guilt, and how their interaction can be understood.

It introduces “accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy”, described as accelerating healing through emotional experience in the present moment, with techniques intended to be usable by anyone.

Surrounded by Idiots

After a difficult meeting with an entrepreneur who believed he was “surrounded by idiots”, Thomas Erikson set out to explore why people can find communication challenging. First published in Swedish in 2014 as Omgiven Av Idioter, the book outlines a method for assessing communication styles using four personality types: Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. It also covers adjusting how information is shared, alongside tips on body language, written communication and handling conflict.