An Epidemic of Depression or the Medicalization of Distress

摘要: The syndrome of major depression is widely regarded as a specific mental illness that has increased to the point where it will be second in International Burden Disease ranking by 2020. This article examines assumption illness, rapidly increasing, and medical response justified. I argue not natural entity does identify homogenous group patients. apparent increase results from: confusing those who are ill with share their symptoms; surveying symptoms out context; benefits accrue from such diagnosis drug companies, researchers, clinicians; changing social constructions around sadness distress. Standardized treatment all these individuals neither possible nor desirable. category should replaced clinical staging strategy acknowledges continuous distribution depressive symptoms. Trials test lifestyle treatments well drugs cognitive behavioral therapy across different levels severity, chronicity, symptom patterns might lead development coherent evidence-based stepped model.