The History of Depression
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Depression has shaped—and been shaped by—human understanding for centuries.
We believe that healing mental health begins with understanding its deep historical and emotional roots.
Here’s how our modern view of Depression evolved:
From Melancholy to Modern Psychiatry
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates believed depression (then called melancholia) was caused by an imbalance in the body’s internal fluids or "humors," particularly black bile.
Later, Galen built on this theory, suggesting that certain personality types, including the melancholic, were biologically driven and naturally inclined toward sadness and introspection.
Depression in the 19th & 20th Century
In the 1800s, Emil Kraepelin, a pioneering psychiatrist, categorized depression into two distinct paths: - External, reactive depression (after a tragedy), and - Internal, endogenous depression (without clear cause). This dual model influenced how we understand Major Depressive Disorder and other mental illnesses today — including how society often views external trauma with more sympathy than internal emotional struggles. Sigmund Freud later described depression as a response to “a loss without a name,” suggesting that unconscious grief and emotional repression could block natural healing and lead to chronic despair.
From Psychoanalysis to Biological Models
By the mid-1900s, psychiatry began integrating biological, familial, and psychological factors. Swiss psychiatrist Adolf Meyer emphasized a holistic model—one that resonates deeply with our mission.
Eventually, this understanding led to the development of diagnostic tools like the DSM and ICD, bringing structure and clarity to how depression is classified and treated.