> The problem stems — yet again — from the disorder's fuzzy definition: grouping everyone with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder into one genetic study i

> The problem stems — yet again — from the disorder's fuzzy definition: grouping everyone with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder into one genetic study is like looking for the genetic risk factors for fever, explains Flint. “You would have lumped together autoimmune disease, infection, cancer and a whole set of different conditions.” This is quite the problem, yes. But ultimately the perceived intractability and the root cause of the difficulty of investigating this phenomenon is the subjective nature of the reports of the symptoms. Clearly _something_ is up, we can see that from macro-behavioural patterns and cases of attempted suicide -- but these diagnostics are crude. What is needed are robust bullet-proof objective diagnostics[1][2]. It's great that we've progressed beyond "humours" and "hysterics" and "demons" but compared to other areas of modern medical research we are practically in the stone ages as the article points out. For instance: we could have genetic, bio-chemical, neuro-chemical, and/or neuro-wiring diagnostics. Any others? Until there is a comprehensive set of biological markers scientists are of course going to be reluctant to research this. It's unfortunate but I can't say I blame them. And what if the majority of major depressive disorders turn out to be down to wiring? And what about the perfectly natural reactive depression one gets when someone close to you dies or when a relationship breaks up and you lose your partner and/or your kids. Are we now saying that we oughtn't feel this way? And what if the way we've structured society plays a large role in our individual well-being and wellness, what then? What if it turns out to be part of the human condition, as is perhaps the case with existential depression[3]? Absolutely the best book I've read on depression and suicide is Night Falls Fast[4] by Kay Redfield Jamision, a Johns Hopkins psychiatry professor. It's a few years old now but I don't think that the topics and themes in it will ever date even though the science in it might. It is filled with compassion, it strives for precision. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Welcome your thoughts on the matter. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19396703 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19396703 [2] http://www.newsweek.com/first-blood-test-depression-holds-promise-objective-diagnosis-270951 http://www.newsweek.com/first-blood-test-depression-holds-pr... [3] http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10554.aspx http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10554.aspx [4] https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/j/jamison-night.html https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/j/jamison-night.html