A Systematic Review: Depression From The Perspective Of Science And Religion In An Emerging Society

Abstract

This aim of this review is to understand the depression from the scientific and religious perspectives and how to manage and overcome it.

Despite the enormous medical and societal importance of depression, the origins and mechanisms underlying depression development are not well understood conceptually. A number of hypotheses have been put out to explain the development of depression, and biochemical, immunological, and physiological research have supported these hypotheses. In addition to the well-known "monoamine," "cytokine," and "stress-induced" (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress theories) depression models, altered brain neural plasticity, neurogenesis, and circadian rhythm desynchronosis (the chronobiological model) phenomena have also been put forth as potential causes of depression. From the religious perspectives. The ancient Greeks believed depression was a result of fluid imbalances of blood, phlegm, yellow and black bile. Meanwhile, early Christianity just threw the blame of the devil for man’s suffering, which resulted from their internal battle to fight the temptations of sin.

To some depression is an illness or an attitude of Life. Some however, when they are depressed resort to drinking of alcohol or committing suicide, but suicide is even a greater sin.

Depression comes and goes when attacked in the right way. Any crooked way brings punishment both on the patient and the other around him, including the society as a whole.