Understanding Depression: History, Causes, and Symptoms

Ancient and Historical Views of Depression

Depression has been known as a "result when individuals forfeit their personal power" (Depression: A Multimedia Sourcebook, p. 1). It has also been described in ancient times as an "affliction [that] laid its cause to supernatural intervention, primarily religious in nature" (Ainsworth, p. 48). In Hindu tradition, depression was noted as a struggle between good and evil in which evil would win and "victimize individual humans" (Ainsworth, p. 48). In texts from Babylonia and Egypt, gods punished transgressions in the hearts of people and placed upon them a depressive curse. The early Hebrew texts allude to the belief that depression in humans reflects the displeasure of Yahweh.

Depression as a Modern Illness: Definition and Prevalence

According to up-to-date research, depression is an "innocuous-sounding word... that refers to a potentially disabling illness that affects many but is understood by few" (Ainsworth, p. 1). Professor Patricia Ainsworth, a leading psychologist on depression, further explains that sufferers often do not realize the nature of their despair until they are so devastated that they can no longer help themselves. She continues:

"Depression is a sneak thief, slipping into a life gradually and robbing it of meaning, one loss at a time. The losses are imperceptible at first, but eventually weigh so heavily that the person's life becomes empty. Once begun, the course of depression varies with the individual and with the form of the illness. Untreated, it can last weeks, months, or even years." (p. 1)

According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as many as one in five individuals may suffer a significant depressive illness, although most will not seek treatment. During any given year, one in ten people experience the sluggishness of mind, body, and spirit we know as depression. Depression is recognized as one of the most common mental illnesses. At least 8% of adults in the United States experience serious depression at some point during their lives, and estimates range as high as 17%. The illness affects people of both sexes and does not differentiate between race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standing. However, women are two to three times more likely than men to suffer from depression (Ainsworth, p. 27). Experts disagree on the reason for this difference — some cite differences in hormones, while others point to the stress caused by society's expectations of women.

Although depression may appear anytime from childhood to old age, it usually begins during a person's 20s or 30s. The illness may come on slowly and deepen gradually over months or years, or it may erupt suddenly within a few weeks or days. A person who develops severe depression may appear so confused, frightened, and unbalanced that observers speak of a "nervous breakdown." However it begins, depression causes serious changes in a person's feelings and outlook. A person with major depression feels sad nearly every day and may cry often. People, work, and activities that once brought pleasure no longer do.

Symptoms and Age-Related Variations

Symptoms of depression can vary considerably by age. In younger children, depression may include physical complaints such as stomachaches and headaches, as well as irritability, social withdrawal, and changes in eating habits. They may feel unenthusiastic about school and other activities. In adolescents, common symptoms include sad mood, sleep disturbances, and lack of energy. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical rather than emotional problems, which sometimes leads doctors to misdiagnose the illness.

If left untreated, an episode of major depression typically lasts eight or nine months. About 85% of people who experience one bout of depression will experience future episodes.

Some depressions seem to come out of the blue, even when things are going well. Others seem to have an obvious cause, including a marital conflict, financial difficulty, or some personal failure. Most psychologists believe depression results from an interaction between stressful life events and a person's biological and psychological vulnerabilities.