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Maybe depression is not a human defect at all, but is rather a natural vulnerability. Mild depression can actually be a positive experience in life. In its moderate forms, depression serves as a healthy defense mechanism that encourages people to reevaluate their circumstances. This type of depression does not necessarily need “fixing” so to say, but rather it heralds introspection and resolution. For instance, negative circumstances, such as an abusive relationship, unfulfilling career, etc., may cause a person to feel depressed. Experiencing depression in such times encourages the affected to eventually make positive changes to their life in healthier directions. Perhaps these instances are adaptive examples of depression and that is why this enigmatic journey of conflict with oneself has been passed down through the ages. Granted, depression is more widespread today than it has ever been in the past. This epidemic malaise may be due to increased cultural awareness, increased pressure to succeed, and less emphasis on self-nurturing.

Moreover, a society that is over eager to medically treat a natural process may be exaggerating an extent of human nature. This is not to say that those with serious depression should not be treated or ignored. To the contrary, in fact those people are the ones that should first and foremost be treated. However, those with the most severe afflictions may now get lost in vogue. To a certain extent, our society stigmatizes depression, but it also embraces it once you separate mild from severe depression. Many famous artists and athletes only uncovered their strengths by forcing themselves to overcome their weaknesses. They conquered themselves. The way in which culture may contribute to severe depression is more complicated factoring in that depression has been shown to exist, in varying forms, in many different cultures. For example, the Banda tribe in Uganda calls depression, “the illness of thought.” Widespread culture did not necessarily create depression, but it feeds on the natural vulnerabilities of mankind that, in more isolated and less severe circumstances, are actually beneficial rather than detrimental in the long run.