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Cited by 123Historical Psychiatry and Medical PracticesHistory of Emotions ResearchMental Health and Psychiatry

Melancholia and depression during the 19th century: a conceptual history

Berrios, G. E.·1988·British Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/bjp.153.3.298
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Abstract

The meaning of ‘melancholia’ in classical antiquity is opaque and has little in common with 20th-century psychiatric usage (Drabkin, 1955; Heiberg, 1927). At that time, melancholia and mania were not polar opposites (i.e. one was not defined as having opposite features to the other). Melancholia was defined in terms of overt behavioural features such as decreased motility, and morosity (Roccatagliata, 1973; Simon, 1978). Hence, in medical usage, ‘melancholia’ referred to a subtype of mania and named, in general, states of reduced behavioural output. These included disorders that might “exhibit depressed, agitated, hallucinatory, paranoid and even demented states … the ancient diagnosis of melancholy has no correct analogue in modern psychiatric practice …” (Siegel, 1973, p. 274).

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  • Remission of depression in a mother has positive effects on her school aged and adolescent children for at least a year afterwards, including the children of mothers treated with medication or psychotherapy, and varying with the severity of maternal depression.

    “Remission of depression in a mother has positive effects on her school aged and adolescent children 564,676 for at least a year afterwards: 677 including the children of mothers treated with medication 676,678 or psychotherapy, 679-682 and varying with the severity of maternal depression. 683”

    From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [679]

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Authors
Berrios, G. E.
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
1988-09
Volume
153
Issue
3
Pages
298-304
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
DOI
10.1192/bjp.153.3.298
OpenAlex
W1521408254
Cited by
123
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 10715 d)
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › History of Emotions Research
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
Keywords
melancholia, depression, 19th century, history of psychiatry, conceptual history, mania, classical antiquity, psychiatric diagnosis
MeSH terms
Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Europe, Humans, Terminology as Topic, History, 18th Century, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century, History, Ancient, History, Medieval

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