Evolutionary approach highly informative but should not be overstated.

摘要: Dear Editor: I thank The CJP for its thought-provoking issue examining evolutionary explanations mental illness and, in particular, Dr Edward H Hagen's fascinating article on depression.1 My patients often find it helpful when their symptoms are presented within an context as adaptive mechanisms that malfunctioning some way. However, one would like to call attention is significant change humans occurs large time scales (that is, many generations or millennia).2 Therefore, plausible current behaviours appearing be maladaptive were our ancestors tens of thousands years ago but may no longer useful modern life. A trivial example children's fear the dark, which have protected them from nocturnal predators ages past currently serves only make bedtime more difficult. Let us examine 2 Hagen highlights possibly - excessive rumination and suicidality response a Stressor. Ruminating about problem until solution presents been relatively straightforward process whose cognitive sophistication options addressing problems much limited than own. In contrast, presentday with depression can end up complicated, futile ruminative cycles actively counterproductive. Regarding suicidality, might imagine aggressive Stressor could earlier fighting social status resources. Suicidality represent this kind aggression maladaptively turned inwards. Excessive serious, debilitating latter potentially fatal. It seems at least likely they reflect mismatch between needs those recent should considered healthy present. On separate note, absolutely correct cry help we need do better job precipitants. But even if has underpinnings, clearly source true suffering theoretically value insufficient argument withholding antidepressants other treatments provide relief. Even origins, not going stop treating suicidality. We careful use theory capacity explain human behaviour rather normative ethics. As scientists, certainly work toward understanding depressive symptoms, healers, come help, must also seek alleviate suffering, not. References 1. EH. Evolutionary theories depression: critical review. Can J Psychiatry. 2011;56(12):716-726. 2. Hawks J, Wang ET, Cochran GM, et al. Recent acceleration evolution. Proc Nati Acad Sci. 2007; 1 04(52):20753-20758. Mark Sinyor, MSc, MD Toronto, Ontario Reply Re: Approach Highly Informative Should Not Be Overstated Sinyor environment ancestral puzzling features depression, such high prevalence extended duration. Although Glantz Pearce1 others suggested this, noted my review, hypothesis untested, there empirical theoretical reason favour over any depression. Sinyor's specific comments suicidality: cites sources support his claim "present-day …