Modern Wisdom

#632 - Ed Hagen - The Evolutionary Psychology Of Anxiety & Depression

May 25, 2023

In this discussion, Ed Hagen, a Professor of evolutionary anthropology at Washington State University, unravels the evolutionary roots of anxiety and depression. He explains how these feelings, often seen as disorders, may actually be adaptive responses to adversity. Hagen explores the complexities of postpartum depression, highlighting its social implications for new mothers. He also addresses gender differences in mental health and offers intriguing insights on how physical strength correlates with mental well-being and suicide patterns.

01:03:13

Episode guests

Ed Hagen

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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.

The Relationship between Physical Strength, Conflict, and Depression

02:00

The Link Between Postpartum Depression and Signaling for More Help

01:28

The Power of Rumination in Health Monitoring

01:22

Suicidality as an Honest Signal of Need

01:18

Intro

5min

The Evolutionary Roots of Depression

22min

Strength, Mental Health, and Suicide Patterns

18min

Postpartum Depression: An Evolutionary Perspective

6min

Signaling Theories and the Complexities of Mental Health

2min

The Roots of Human Cognition and the Illusion of Racial Differences

6min

The Role of Just So Stories in Evolutionary Psychology

2min

The Evolutionary Role of Music and Dance

8min

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...

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