Depression In African America Essay

Mood disorders are among the most prevalent forms of mental illness. Severe forms of depression affect 2%–5% of the U.S. population, and up to 20% of the population suffers from milder forms of the illness. Depression is almost twice more common in females than males.( (Nestler et al., 2002).
Depression is often described as a stress-related disorder, and there is good evidence that episodes of depression often occur in the context of some form of stress. However, stress per se is not sufficient to cause depression. Most people do not become depressed after serious stressful experiences, whereas many who do become depressed do so after stresses that for most people are quite mild (Nestler et al., 2002).
It is likely that many brain regions

One study found that life stress, physical health problems, and internalized racism were significant predictors of depressive symptoms in African American women. With that being said, it is known that within the African American community that depression is not a real medical illness, it is considered a temporary feeling and not a medical mental health issue. there are some people within in the African American community that believe that if you need to see a therapist than you just need to seek god, speak to the pastor or your church community.
The possibility of gender bias within the personality disorders (PDs) has been one of the most controversial aspects of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. A girl who has been raised in Hispanic culture emphasizing femininity in women often experiences identity and gender role confusion when she is exposed to American culture permitting an independent, active, and relatively free female figure. Identity or gender role confusion is closely related to developmental crisis and ultimately emotional distress, including depression (Choi, 2002). For most people who are not in the mental health profession or a helping profession, believe that depression is mostly a woman’s dieses or mental health