Melancholic

Melancholic is a term that originates from the ancient medical concept of the Four Humors. It is associated with a state of deep sadness or gloominess, often linked to depression. The term is derived from the word "melancholia", which was used in the past to describe a severe form of depression.

History

The concept of melancholia dates back to ancient times, specifically to the works of Hippocrates and Galen, who believed that human moods were controlled by four bodily fluids or "humors": blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. An imbalance in these humors was thought to cause different moods and diseases. Melancholia was associated with an excess of black bile.

Melancholic Depression

In modern times, the term "melancholic" is often used to describe a specific subtype of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) known as Melancholic Depression. This form of depression is characterized by a lack of pleasure in all or almost all activities, a failure of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli, a quality of depressed mood more pronounced than that of grief or loss, a worsening of symptoms in the morning hours, early morning waking, psychomotor retardation, excessive weight loss (not to be confused with anorexia nervosa), or excessive guilt.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of melancholic depression is done by a mental health professional who will conduct a thorough interview and may use a variety of inventories or scales to assess the presence and severity of the melancholic features. The DSM-5, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, lists the criteria for diagnosing melancholic depression.

Treatment

Treatment for melancholic depression often involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), are commonly used. Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), can also be effective.

See Also

• Depression (mood)
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Four Humors
• Hippocrates
• Galen

Melancholic Resources
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