The cultural origins of western depression

Journal/Book: Int J Soc Psychiatr. 1996; 42: 140 Harley St, London, England 1 1AH. Avenue Publishing Company. 269-286.

Abstract: Focusing on the British cultural vocabulary of guilt, fatigue, energy, stress and depression; this paper argues that such vocabularies have their own unique histories and meanings; deeply embedded, in this instance, within ''white British and western European'' institutions. Predicated on a western epistemology, these constructs developed in response to prevailing concerns at different periods in western history; but are now assumed to be universal natural entities that await further scientific research and investigation. The cross-cultural validity of depression as a universal disorder is therefore dubious and needs an extensive re-examination.

Note: Article Jadhav S, Univ London Univ Coll, London WC1E 6BT, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): DRUG ADVERTISEMENTS; PSYCHIATRY; DISTRESS; EXPRESSION; ILLNESS

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