#632 - Ed Hagen - The Evolutionary Psychology Of Anxiety & Depression
May 25, 2023
01:07:02
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Quick takeaways
Depression is seen as a protective mechanism akin to physical pain, signaling difficult times.
Suicide attempts serve as credible signals of distress, seeking assistance in potential life-threatening scenarios.
Higher upper body strength is linked to lower depression risks, highlighting physical prowess as a protective factor.
Deep dives
Depression as Adaptive Sadness
Depression, the most common mental health issue, is deemed as adversity-induced. The high prevalence and adversity link suggest it is a form of extreme sadness signaling difficult times. This evolutionary approach posits depression as a protective mechanism akin to physical pain, halting harmful actions and promoting problem-solving for survival. Psychic pain associated with depression mirrors physical pain's functions of alerting danger, prompting self-reflection, and seeking resolution.
Suicidality as Credible Signal of Adversity
Suicide attempts are viewed as credible signals of need when faced with adversity. Participants taking a risk with a potential to fail or succeed can reinforce genuine distress, signaling for assistance. The concept of accurate signaling in potential life-threatening scenarios denotes a desire for support and possible problem resolution, highlighting the communicative aspect of severe actions in demanding situations.
Gender Disparity in Depression Rates
Women exhibit higher depression rates than men, a phenomenon linked to social conflict and anger complexities. Depression intertwines with social dynamics, emphasizing the role of expressive signals in distress situations. The gender discrepancy is attributed to potential neurocognitive differences, social conflicts, and adaptive responses to environmental stressors, shaping mental health outcomes.
Strength and Depression Correlation
Upper body strength correlates inversely with depression risks, suggesting a protective effect of physical prowess against mental health struggles. The theory proposes that stronger individuals are better equipped to manage adversities, decreasing susceptibility to depressive symptoms. The evolutionary perspective hints at strength as a pivotal factor in determining psychological resilience and potential depression resilience.
Postpartum Depression as Signal of Need
Postpartum depression is viewed through evolutionary psychology as a signal of inadequate social support and coalition quality assessment. The psychological distress post-birth signals the necessity for support and resources for optimal child-rearing. Observers interpret postpartum despair as a cue for enhanced assistance and improved social backing, critical for parental success and infant survival.
Ed Hagen is an evolutionary anthropologist, Professor at Washington State University, a researcher and an author.
Low mood, depression and anxiety are states we will all become familiar with at some point in our lives. But why did evolution create a creature that is able to contemplate so much complexity that sometimes it suffers psychologically? Why are we wired to feel this way and how are we able to pull ourselves out?
Expect to learn the evolutionary reason why humans get depressed, how postpartum depression is adaptive, why being strong can lower your chances of depression, how evolutionary theory can improve all of medicine, why women are so much more depressed on average than men, why humans are even capable of suicide and much more...