Depression and Melancholy, 1660–1800

Explore the profound historical context of mental health with Depression and Melancholy, 1660–1800 by Leigh Wetherall Dickson. Published in 2012 by Taylor & Francis Ltd, this comprehensive four-volume set spans an impressive 1264 pages, offering the first large-scale examination of depression and its earlier counterpart, melancholy, during a pivotal era in psychiatric history.

Delve into how the term 'depression' evolved, originating in the mid-nineteenth century, while 'melancholy' was a significant label for mental distress in the eighteenth century, recognized as one of the two confirmed forms of insanity of that time. This scholarly work is essential for anyone interested in the historical perspectives on mental health, providing invaluable insights into the terminology and understanding of depression before it became a modern psychiatric term.