title: [Concept and definition of depression].
abstract: Throughout history, the concept of depression has evolved from "melancholia" in the Greek period to "major depressive disorder" in the current DSM-IV-TR. Herein, a short historical overview of depression is presented. By understanding its historical transition, we can understand the environment in which the concept we recognize today as "depression" was established. Such understanding may also contribute to progress in the development of a scientific definition of depression that incorporates operationalized criteria.
authors: Department of Psycho-oncology, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University.
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Wada
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases