Is depression a result of social evolution?

Question

Do you think depression existed thousands of years ago?
Does defining a chemical reaction in your brain then give it the power to take control of you?
Do you think that social evolution will ever proceed in a way that will overpower depression?
Has society even evolved or has evolution been restricted to technology essentially making us the same dumb animals but just with fancier gadgets and more humane ways of taking out our tribalistic and warring nature?

Thanks

Answer 1

Probably more of a "too much leisure time" factor and the unrealistic expectations of an affluent society. Hunter-gatherers probably didn't have a word for depression.



Also, depression is almost always a result of suppressed anger.



EDIT: The best cure for depression is to get up and do something. Sitting around lost in your thoughts sucks one down into the death spiral of a repeating tape loop. Get up and do something. Doesn't matter what it is; wash the dishes, take a walk, whatever: get your body moving and your mind in the present moment; stop living in your head.

Answer 2

I can't imagine depression existing without the coexistence of a social system.



People with depression are very simple minded. They don't know how to avoid their own habit-forms, thought patterns, and behaviors, which cause them emotional negativity. Nor, do many understand how to cultivate a more positive emotional life.



As we evolve, there will be less depressed people, and more people that will themselves into emotional health. Sometimes pleasure directs the mind, instead of mind directing pleasure, and the same can be said for bad habits.



I once had a bout with depression, than I read Lewin.



The only predators in our nature, are the greedy and the violent, both should be punished to the full extent of the law. Don't serve tigers human meat, and don't allow others to create startling inequality within the global economy.



Really what is the point of your question?

Answer 3

Our mind is a good slave but a terrible master. Depression is the cause of an uncontrolled mind.

When our mind feels the sense of separateness from one another, then the feeling of loneliness which slowly leads to depression. In this world of virtual friends, the personal touch is missing, hence more sense of loneliness has entered our lives.

The desire to enjoy more and more, the desire to control and possess more and more and the desire to be better than the next person is the main cause that the mind leads us to depression.

The need of the hour is to take away the focus from our self and go out and help others with their problems selflessly. When the focus is not on the self, then the mind is starved and weakened, then there are less negative thoughts.

The solution to silence the mind is:



1) Thinking is the problem, right action is the solution.

2) Selflessness is the highest form of selfishness.

3) Selflessness is in our selfish interest.

Answer 4

Don't know because I don't know what social evolution is. I don't think I believe in social evolution, just biological evolution. Evolution has to do with genes slowly changing to suit environment, and I don't think genes are influencing anything socially. People from 2000 years ago can suffer from depression.



Depression didn't exist thousands of years ago but misery did. Misery from slavery, being poor, being impoverished, losing family and friends, being tortured, be made to fight for your life gladiator arenas, being abused by men and adults... Misery is caused by your shllty life, even if you're motivated and energetic. Depression is something deeper, something to do with childhood expeiences effecting the way the brain works.



EDIT: Yes, i deny technology has evolved. It has no genes. You still haven't defined social evolution btw. A person from millions of years ago could experience depression if brought up in 2012.

Answer 5

evolution has had an impact on it, no doubt but I don't think it is entirely the result of it.



I'll bet species across the board got depressed back then as they do now... they got lonely then and they get lonely now and in a way, that is depression.



Evolution is always taking place, whether for the "better" or not is up for us to decide, and with those decisions make some good choices.



some of the tech is helping us communicate and learn from each other right now... :)

Answer 6

Rosemonster's answer makes a lot of sense. Saddness and joy are objects of perception and should be treated with indifference. But this requires a regenerated will which remains in a state of atrophy for most people. How it got that way took place when the personality assimilation became the bitter mote of the soul.

"The Self of matter and the SELF of Spirit can never meet. One of the twain must disappear; there is no place for both.



Ere thy Soul's mind can understand, the bud of personality must be crushed out, the worm of sense destroyed past resurrection."

Answer 7

Joy & sadness have always existed. It is part of the human condition. The only difference is that today some see sadness as an illness for which one should take a pill. I believe we need sadness as much as we need joy as one could not exist without the other.

Answer 8

Poor and defenseless people do not have the option of being depressed. Depression is a side effect of affluence which is a fairly recent phenomenon for the majority of the human race.

Answer 9

depression existed after we became homosapiens. When you're mood range reaches a certain rate, you can be in a state of depression

Answer 10

Yes. It depends. Philosophically speaking, it has to be thoroughly verified, analyzed, discussed, studies and examined from different philosophical angles by eminent philosophers.