About this episode

Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg explores the evolutionary roots of depression and its potential purpose in our lives.

We tend to see depression as an illness to eliminate, evidence that something has gone wrong in the brain. But what if low mood serves a purpose? Psychologist Jonathan Rottenberg examines the evolutionary roots of depression and reflects on his own painful experience with suicidal despair. He explores how depression can narrow our focus, and sometimes open the door to change.

People in this episode

Host: Shankar Vedantam

Guest: Jonathan Rottenberg

Topics covered

• depression
• psychology
• evolution
• mental health
• change

Keywords

• depression
• low mood
• evolutionary psychology
• mental health
• suicidal despair

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