The observed rise in mental health problems, particularly depression, is often referred to as an ‘epidemic’, not because it is caused by infectious agents but because it appears to be steadily rising in frequency from historically low baseline levels.
This paper briefly describes just some of the evidence for a significant increase in the incidence of depression and related disorders such as stress and anxiety. We then outline a number of critiques which suggest that an accurate picture of what is happening might be difficult to discern, for reasons relating to diagnostic expansion in psychiatric practice and broader socio-cultural changes.
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