AFR ANTHONETH JEFFREY1502 SEC E868 (80403)PROFESSOR COVERT

12-18-20

MENTAL ILLNESS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

THESIS

Depression and panic disorder in African-American women between the ages of 15-40 is misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and undertreated because; they are afraid to disclose information about their condition to others to others because of the stigma attached to the disease; race and socioeconomic status determines the type of treatment they will receive, and the model used to evaluate and treat these illnesses does not cater for the specific needs of many Affrican-American women.

What is depression

It is a serious medical condition, and much more than feeling sad or having the blues.

It disrupts your mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, social interaction, activities and normal daily functions.

It may occur as a one time experience, but in many cases it recurs throughout ones’ lifetime.

Cause of depression

GeneticsBiochemicalEnvironmentPsychological

Stressors

They are look at as being inferior to white women

Treated unfairlyPlaced at the bottom of the ladder in relation

to sex, class and race, regardless if they share equal socio-economical status.

Cont’d

PovertyDomestic abuseSingle parenthoodNot having a companionLoneliness

Symptoms of depression

Constant irritability, persistent sadnessFeelings of hopelessness and guiltDrastic change in eating and sleeping

patternsPersistent thoughts of death and suicideLost of interest in things that was once

enjoyableHeadaches, chronic pain, and digestive

disorder that won’t go away even after treatment.

Treatment Options

MedicationPsychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy Interpersonal therapy Electroconvulsive therapy

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process for depression in African American is done by identifying symptoms that are normally associated with white women. This leads to misdiagnosis.

Depression affects over 20 million people every year, and is the number one reason for suicide in the United States. In most cases depression can be successfully treated once caught. Unfortunately, only 12% of affected African American seek help or treatment. This leads to under-diagnosis and under-treatment of the disease.

A study conducted by the National Survey of American life on racial, ethnic and cultural influences on mental health and mental disorder discovered that the African American community has a history of clinging to secrets, lies and shame originating from slavery. They have also adopted into their culture the avoidance of emotions as a strategy for survival.

reasons for keeping their illness a secret

Fear of hurting their familyIt may destroy their careerThey may be looked at as being crazy (a big

one)Can’t appear to be weakFeeling of shame

Some women are unaware of the symptoms of depressions.

Some believe that the church and prayer is the solution

Under treatment

Insufficient providers with the knowledge of black culture

Not enough black health care providersNo insurance, or they are underinsuredDenial of the illnessUneasy about the humiliation attached to the

use of medication

Fact Sheet & video

http://www.psych.org/practice/professional-interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF1t47D8MXE

References

Craig, C. D., Hunn, V. L. (2009, April). Journal of Multicultural Counseling and

Development:

Depression, sociocultural factors, and African American women. Vol 37(2), 83-93.

Heidrich, S. M., Ward, E. C. (2009, October). National Institute Of Health: Res Nurs

Health. African American women’s belief about mental illness, stigma, and preferred

coping behaviors. 32(5), 480-492. doi 10.1002/nur.20344

National Alliance of Mental Health (2009, Oct). African American women and

depression: Fact sheet Retrieved from: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?

Section=Women_and_Depression&Template=/ContentManagement/

ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88884

Youtube: Black women and depression. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=OF1t47D8MXE

American Psychiatric Association (2010). Office of Minority and National Affairs: Mental

health disparities: African American: Fact Sheet. Retrieved from:

http://www.psych.org/practice/professional-interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources