Depression Stigma Declines as Research Uncovers Biological Roots, Potential New Treatments
São Paulo, brazil – November 16, 2025 - A shift in societal understanding and groundbreaking research are converging to offer new hope in the fight against depression, according to leading psychiatrist Philip Gold. Speaking recently, Gold highlighted a growing acceptance of depression as a legitimate illness, coupled with increasingly complex insights into its biological underpinnings and potential for targeted treatment.
For years, depression carried a heavy stigma, often dismissed as a personal failing rather then a medical condition. Gold notes this is changing, driven in part by increased public discussion and a deeper understanding of the complex factors contributing to the illness. However, he emphasizes that simply acknowledging the problem isn’t enough; addressing the root causes is crucial.
“Keeping feelings at bay prevents us from making peace with suffering and going through the healing process of grappling with sadness,” Gold explains. He further points to the detrimental effects of avoiding anger and harboring shame about imperfection, identifying these as contributing factors to depressive illness.
Gold’s own journey overcoming perfectionism informed his approach to therapy. “perfectionism makes patients feel ashamed of what they think is a failure. I felt that way too, I couldn’t make mistakes,” he shared, adding that learning to embrace imperfection and learn from mistakes was key to becoming a more effective clinician.”By dealing with this perfectionism for years, I started to have a more realistic view of myself, trying to learn from my mistakes, from people and from the world around me.”
Current research is increasingly focused on the interplay between trauma, genetics, and emotional vulnerability. While acknowledging there’s no single “genetic sentence” for depression, Gold stresses that genes play a significant role in predicting an individual’s susceptibility. he believes genetic studies represent the future of depression treatment, potentially involving testing for abnormalities in key genes like CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), central to the body’s stress response, and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), essential for neuron survival and growth.
Research indicates that heightened CRH activity is linked to symptoms like anxiety and fear-related behaviors, while low levels of BDNF correlate with impaired brain plasticity and a reduction in neuronal connections. Importantly, studies have shown BDNF deficiency is frequently enough triggered by stress. Gold believes pharmacological interventions targeting BDNF hold significant promise,though developing an effective oral compound remains a challenge due to its breakdown in the intestinal tract.
Beyond traditional pharmacology, Gold is enthusiastic about the potential of emerging therapies. He points to robust evidence demonstrating the positive effects of psychedelics on activating the BDNF system,advocating for their careful use alongside psychotherapy as a potentially impactful treatment. The recent finding of ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects is also hailed by Gold as a landmark event, providing crucial insights into the role of the neurotransmitter glutamate in depression, despite acknowledging risks like diminishing responses over time.
“A wholly new era has begun in terms of our understanding of depressive illness, in which the most significant targets for its rapid and effective treatment are being identified,” Gold concludes, expressing optimism about the future of depression research and treatment.
