History of Depression: An Overview
Many people have heard of depression, and it is a sad reality that it is a mental illness that has haunted people for centuries. People with depression often feel sad, have a persistent feeling of hopelessness, have a negative outlook on life, and may also have suicidal thoughts. In extreme cases of major depressive disorder, it can even present with physical health problems.
According to research that has been conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), major depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the 20th century. To us at Daydream MD, this is a big problem.
The Earliest Accounts of Depression
It is also an unfortunate reality that the types of depression that people experience today are not new. So, let's take a dive into the history of depression. When was depression discovered?
The earliest reports of this mood disorder can be found in documents written by the ancient Greeks and the Mesopotamians during the era of 2000 BCE. These writings are not exactly enlightened, and most mental illnesses were thought to be due to curses, evil spirits and, of course, demonic possession. As a result, those who had mental health conditions were subjected to extreme beatings, starvation, and even bloodletting as a way to drive the evil forces out - none of which worked.
Going back to the Ancient Greeks, they believed that mental health and depression were due to issues with the humors of the body. Specifically, they thought it was due to an excess of black bile. So, they would seek to purge the bodies of those who had the symptoms, which was seen as an acceptable treatment for depression by the Greek physician Hippocrates.
Though not a great idea, this option was dissolved in the 11th century due to the rise of Christianity. Much like ancient cultures, the Christians believed that mental health issues were caused by evil spirits, demons, and witchcraft. Those who had depression symptoms were mistreated further, with many being outcasted by society or even being burned, exorcised, or drowned. The history of depression is truly barbaric in this period!
The Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment
During the Renaissance period, there was a shift towards a more modern understanding of mental disorders, such as depression. Experts of the time began to inquire about depression not merely as a spiritual inquiry but as a phenomenon connected to the physical body. An English physician, Thomas Willis, who specialized in neuroanatomy, began to explore the notion that is still popular today: depression and other mental health issues, like bipolar disorder, were caused by an issue with the brain or other physical condition, such as illnesses or growths.
This was followed in 1621 with a book called The Anatomy of Melancholy, written by English scholar Robert Burton. He theorized that those who experience depressive episodes are suffering from psychological or physical issues, not spiritual ones. Unfortunately, treatments did not really improve, and many people who had depression were still subjected to archaic and cruel treatments.
In the 19th century, ideas surrounding mental illness had another modern update, with the rise in scientific thinking and more evidence-based approaches. This led to newer ways to treat depression coming to light, with figures such as French physician Phillipe Pinel stating that psychological-based treatment, over the old-fashioned humorous-based treatments, was the best way to treat depressive episodes.
The 20th Century and Beyond
In the 20th century, there was another evolution in the perception of mental illnesses such as depression.
German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin played a key role in a new model of thinking and proposed an idea relating to the two types of depression. His dual theory stated that there was manic depression and dementia praecox (also known as schizophrenia). Also, Sigmund Freud arrived on the scene at about the same time and hypothesized that some types of depression were due to unmet childhood needs or the loss of a loved one.
However, the first genuinely humanistic approach to depression comes from a Swiss psychiatrist, Adolf Meyer (who eventually led the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Psychiatry and became president of the American Psychiatric Association) who proposed that depression was a multifactorial issue arising from biology, psychology, and social issues. He emphasized understanding the individual's life history and context in treating mental health.
The Development of a Mental Health Classification System
In the mid-20th century, theories about depression were formalized with the creation of the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952. This marked a significant step in understanding depression, outlining its symptoms, suspected causes, and the role of mental health professionals in providing support. Additionally, it introduced various treatment approaches, including antidepressant medications, therapy, and holistic options such as brain stimulation and ketamine therapy. The latter is where our team at Daydream MD comes in, and if you have any FAQs about how we can help treat your depressive symptoms, please call us today.
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