From Humors to Psychiatry: The Evolving Story of Anxiety, Depression, and StressS

Abstract

Some of the most prevalent mental health problems among individuals in the modern world are anxiety, depression, and stress. The understanding of these conditions has evolved from ancient theories of humors to the contemporary field of psychiatry. This paper has relied on secondary data based on the databases such as PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, supplemented by
reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies. In the past, some diseases such as melancholia were attributed to the lack of balance of body fluids but their causes were later found to be biological and psychological. Most diagnostic instruments used in the modern science like Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Hamilton Scales of Depression and Anxiety, assisted in normal assessment and treatment. Despite the development of knowledge and diagnosis processes, anxiety, depression and stress remain one of the most significant health issues worldwide particularly in the nations facing resource scarcity and stigmatization on mental health. Thus, prompt diagnosis, prevention and delivering of mental health services as a part of primary care is still necessary.