Introduction
Depression has become a grievous concern in society in the recent past. Social pressures have become rampant in society due to the various transformations that the world has experienced. This paper aims to analyze the nature of depression through the lens of history and humanities. In terms of history, this paper analyzes the origin of depression and the progress made over the years in finding treatment and preventive mechanisms. This paper investigates how society views depression and its symptoms in terms of humanities.
Depression in the Lens of History
The history of depression can be traced back to the ancient histories of the Greek and Roman empires. During this period, physicians cited causes of depression as an imbalance of body fluids such as phlegm and bile (Kjeldgaard et al., 2017). Other psychological causes, including fear and rage, affected the victims’ behavior. In the Common Era, depression was believed to have been caused by evil spirits and was treated through brutal means such as starvation and beating the victim. During the Renaissance period, depression was viewed as a supernatural disaster, and the victims were hunted and executed.
In the Age of Enlightenment, depression was often perceived as an inherent weakness that could not be treated. As the enlightenment progressed, intense research conducted by doctors suggested that aggression was a significant cause of depression (Kjeldgaard, 2017). Various treatments employed during this period included dietary changes and vomiting. During the 20th century, medical research revealed a close connection between the victims’ psychology, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Treatment methods suggested during this period included surgeries, drug therapies, psychotherapy, and the use of antidepressants. In the 21st century, improved research has led to the formation DSM model of diagnosing depression and other mental disorders. While researchers are still working to find a particular treatment, recommended treatments include various psychotherapies and lifestyle interventions (Kjeldgaard, 2017). The history of depression has impacted medical institutions by improving research and approaches to seeking treatment for various mental disorders.
Depression in the Lens of Humanities
Different cultures have different perceptions regarding depression and its effects. Initially, societies perceived depression as a condition that mainly affected the developed societies, especially western civilization. For instance, in the United States, the black community is presumed to have lower risks of getting depressed than the whites, who are perceived as more western (Bartucz et al., 2022). Most of these perceptions are either individual or collective by a certain culture towards a particular culture. Some cultures tend to be more comfortable reporting cases of depression than others. Cultures that take depression positively and are open to discussion on mental health issues tend to report more physical symptoms than mental symptoms. For instance, depression victims from Asian cultures are likely to complain about fatigue, increased pressure, and body discomfort.
Cultural differences have influenced the way cultures to perceive the causes of depression. Some patients often prefer explanations on causes of depression based on their cultural beliefs than on clinical research. This has influenced the treatment methods that patients prefer for dealing with depression. Some patients tend to prefer treatment methods that are culturally sensitive to those that are clinical (Bartucz et al., 2022). Therefore, depression in the humanities lens has impacted the development of ethnomedicine, which involves the study of the role of cultural perception in people’s mental and physical wellness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, depression has significantly involved both historically and sociologically. The treatment methods of depression have been transformed due to continued research. However, cultural perception towards the mental condition has also influenced how the victims embrace certain treatment methods. Societies that embrace mental health tend to prefer clinical treatments, while societies deeply rooted in their cultures value culturally sensitive treatment methods.
Reference
Bartucz, M. B., David, D. O., & Matu, S. A. (2022). Cognitive vulnerabilities and Depression: A Culture-Moderated Meta-Analysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1-15.
Kjeldgaard, H. K., Eberhard-Gran, M., Benth, J. Š., Nordeng, H., & Vikanes, Å. V. (2017). History of depression and risk of hyperemesis gravidarum: a population-based cohort study. Archives of women’s mental health, 20(3), 397-404.