Historical Developments of Major Depressive Disorder: Narrative Review Article

Major Depressive Disorder is a prevalent, debilitating disorder that negatively affects a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior. The symptoms we now recognize as depression have long been recorded in history. This research aims generally to review diagnostic criteria over the course of history, criteria for differential diagnosis, accounts of etiology throughout history, as well as epidemiology and comorbid disorders. Then notable considerations regarding clinical interviews with these patients and different approaches to treating this disorder throughout history are discussed. The present study was conducted by searching databases including PubMed, PubPsych, PsychINFO, ResearchGate, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink with keywords like the history of depression, history of diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses of depression, etiology, epidemiology, comorbidity and treatment of depression over time. Due to the emphasis on historical course and developments over time, no time limitation was considered to review the texts. An overview of Major Depressive Disorder shows that many of the symptoms that have been reported for this disorder throughout history have been remarkably stable, despite variations overall. Besides, different treatments have been utilized at different points in time depending on various etiological accounts. A review of the relevant literature on the treatment of depression demonstrates the need for further research regarding relapse prevention as well as an exploration of long‑term effectiveness over short-term efficacy.