I'm asking this because I am going through a "depression" and the reason I put quotes on that is because although I have medications for it, I still feel like it is something I can get through without all of these chemicals. So what I'm asking you is are we, as a society discovering better treatments than in generations past. Or are we just giving people excuses to act abnormally?
It's not so much it didn't exist but that it was given different name or cause. Henry VI of England was prone to bouts of "melancholy" which eventually devolved into a full on catatonic state.
Some of the women who were a part of the mysticism movement were considered blessed when they heard the voice of angels or had vivid heavenly visions.
Recently (historically speaking), soldiers in the world wars were diagnosed with shell shock or cowardice (or nothing at all).
The biggest difference is how these people were treated. Generally speaking for western cultures, there was (is?) a huge stigma against mental health disorders. If you look at the treatments pioneering psychiatrists used, they're both fascinating and horrifying. Asylums became the place many of these people would be put by their families for things such as anxiety disorders, bipolar, depression. These people could live there for years. Names for specific disorders didn't come about for most until the 20th century and as new DSMs come about, debate is fierce even to this day.
As a fellow person who has depression my thoughts are with you. Only you know your health so find a doctor you trust and do the work. Where you are now is not where you'll always be. Good luck!