Culture And Depression
Mental disorders such as depression are exceedingly common in the United States. About one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, translating to almost 60 million people. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 — who suffer from a serious mental illness. In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Mental illness, including suicide, accounts for over 15% of the burden of disease in our country. To give you an idea of the enormity of this problem, mental illness is responsible for more disease burden than that caused by all cancers combined.
What are some of the symptoms of clinical depression?
Clinical depression itself is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders. The greatest risk for major depression occurs between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age. We do not yet know all the causes of depression, but there seem to be both biological and emotional factors that may increase the likelihood an individual will develop depression. Recent research suggests at least a partial genetic link to depressive disorders. Signs and symptoms of clinical depression can include some or all of the following:
- unexplained anxiety, anger or irritability
- difficulty focusing and thinking
- feeling empty, hopeless or worthless
- loss of interest in activities usually enjoyed
- memory problems
- thoughts of self injury or suicide
- sleep disturbances
- decreased sex drive
- exhaustion
- body aches
- suppression of the immune system, impairing the body’s ability to fight off disease
- changes in appetite, often resulting in unwanted weight gain or weight loss
What is the difference between feeling sad and clinical depression?
Ultimately, only your health care provider can discern between the two. Sadness is a part of being human, a natural reaction to painful circumstances. It is a transient feeling that passes as a person comes to terms with their troubles. Indeed, all of us experience sadness at some point in our lives.
Depression, however, is a physical illness not unlike hypertension or diabetes. Well-meaning friends and family often want the affected person to "snap out of it.” This only causes increased frustration for the person suffering from clinical depression. Those affected can no more "snap out of it" than the diabetic can command his pancreas to produce more insulin. The irony of depression is that the things needed most – close contact with loved ones, exercise, a regular schedule – are the things most difficult to ensure. Never underestimate how far little motivation will go to keep you from the things you need most.
Is there a disparity in treatment of depression among different cultures?
Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. However, there is a striking disparity in mental health care for African Americans compared with Caucasians. African Americans are up to fifty percent less likely to receive mental health services than Caucasians.
Why are African Americans so under-diagnosed with depression?
A general mistrust of medical health professionals exists in some African Americans, based in part on historical higher-than-average institutionalization for African Americans with mental illness. Reliance on support of family and religious communities to treat depression, rather than mental health professionals, is a common theme among African Americans. Further, it is much more common for depressive symptoms to be masked by other medical conditions, such as substance abuse or uncontrolled diabetes. And socioeconomic factors, such as limited access to medical care, clearly add to the equation.
What are some generalized African American attitudes towards depression?
According to a recent National Mental Health Association survey on attitudes and beliefs about depression:
- 63% of African Americans believe that depression is a "personal weakness," compared to the overall survey average of 54%
- 31% said they believed depression is truly a "health" problem
- 30% said they would "handle” the depression themselves if they were depressed, while an additional 20% said they would seek help for depression from friends and family
- Only 1 in 4 recognize that a change in eating habits and sleeping patterns are a sign of depression; only 16% recognize irritability as a sign
- Only 1 in 3 said they would take medication for depression, if prescribed by a doctor, compared to 69% of the general population
- Almost 2 of 3 say they believe prayer and faith alone will successfully treat depression "almost all of the time" or "some of the time"
Clearly, clinical depression is an underdiagnosed disease in our country, particularly among African Americans. There are treatment options available, including medication and counseling, but unless patients are open and honest about their symptoms, the disease will continue to remain a significant health problem well known to exacerbate other medical conditions.
Article Posted February 27, 2011