Abstract Argues that the rapid sociocultural changes in Maghreb have inflected the epidemiological outline of depression by modulating its semiological expression and psychopathological structures. If reactive depressions are increasing, if endogenous forms are better hunted out and guilt themes more easily externalized, the fact remains that the somatic expression, especially as far as women are concerned, is favored at the expense of verbal expression of dysthymic affects; delusions of persecution in particular depressive forms stem from basic conflicts in which the individual ego is faced with the communication ego. The increase in suicidal behavior is discussed. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)