MELANCHOLIA IN PSYCHIATRY: BETWEEN VICTORIAN ROMANTICISM AND MODERN NEUROSCIENCE

Abstract

Since ancient times, melancholia has intrigued and challenged scholars, bridging the realms of medicine, philosophy, and art. Hippocrates first conceptualized melancholia as an imbalance of humors, establishing a foundation for its later identification as a profound psychic condition. By the Victorian era, figures like Falret and Freud further dissected melancholia, associating it with psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, and existential despair. Freud’s psychoanalytic framework redefined melancholia as a pathological form of mourning, emphasizing the internalization of loss and the weakening of the self. Despite its historic significance, the distinction between melancholia and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) remains contentious, particularly following its exclusion from the DSM-III. Contemporary studies highlight melancholia’s unique psychopathological features, including vegetative dysfunctions and psychotic symptoms, distinguishing it from broader depressive states. Beyond psychiatry, melancholia profoundly influenced literature and art, shaping works by Machado de Assis and José de Alencar as explorations of existential suffering and social critique. This paper underscores the complexity of melancholia as a multifaceted construct, advocating for its nuanced understanding within clinical and cultural frameworks. The evolving classification systems and their limitations highlight the need for continued interdisciplinary dialogue to address the enduring enigma of melancholia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.041-034