“The Ancient Mesopotamians—did they have a word for depression?” “They did, but they viewed mental health differently, as if some outside force, a god or a demon, caused it. There are fascinating descriptions on clay tablets—incantations, rituals, fumigations and potions. There is ashushtu, which is more like distress. Puluhtu, used for people who are constantly worried or afraid, or have phobias. Nissatu means ‘grief.’ Gilgamesh says ‘grief enters my belly’ when Enkidu dies. Šinīt ṭēmiis is the alteration of the mind, so that could be suicidal thoughts or severe panic attacks. And then there
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