Depression, a relatively modern term, first introduced in 19th century replacing melancholy, was first described as far back as 2000 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. The understanding of the causes and treat¬ment of depression has evolved over the centuries with Europeans in the Middle Ages regarding it as a condition caused by the spirits that needed exorcisms by priests and in worst cases the death of the suf¬ferer. Whilst more humane understanding and treatments were practiced in the rising Islamic civilisation during the Middle Ages, it was not until the 20th century that knowledge gained from medical science began to be applied to its understanding and treatment, with the latter remaining somewhat limited until the 1960s with the introduction of tricyclic antidepressants. Depression is a complex disorder with biological, psychological and social factors contributing to its development; it is therefore not surprising that multiple methods incorporating biological and psychosocial methods are likely to be needed for an effective treatment. The complexity of depression has not yet allowed full understanding of its causes and pathophysiology, and hence not resulted in totally effective treatment.
In this brief article, I will chart the history of depression, its proposed causes and treatment, from the ancient times to the modern era.