The phenomenology of depressions and anxieties in women across different cultures (original) (raw)

Culturally-sensitive complaints of depressions and anxieties in women

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2007

Background: Current classifications of Mental Disorders are centered on Westernized concepts and constructs. "Cross-cultural sensitivity" emphasizes culturally-appropriate translations of symptoms and questions, assuming that concepts and constructs are applicable. Methods: Groups and individual psychiatrists from various cultures from Asia, Latin America, North Africa and Eastern Europe prepared descriptions of main symptoms and complaints of treatment-seeking women in their cultures, which are interpreted by clinicians as a manifestation of a clinically-relevant dysphoric disorder. They also transliterated the expressions of DSM IV criteria of main dysphoric disorders in their cultures. Results: In many non-western cultures the symptoms and constructs that are interpreted and treated as dysphoric disorders are mostly somatic and are different from the Western-centered DSM or ICD systems. In many cases the DSM and ICD criteria of depression and anxieties are not even acknowledged by patients. Limitations: The descriptive approach reported here is a preliminary step which involved local but Westernized cliniciansinvestigators following a biomedical thinking. It should be followed by a more systematic-comprehensive surveys in each culture.

International psychosocial and systemic issues in women's mental health

Archives of Womens Mental Health, 2001

To clarify perspectives on women's mental health needs, services and policy, a survey was undertaken of the 54 World Psychiatric Association Section of Women's Mental Health members. To complement this, a workshop was convened at the Berlin Congress of Women's Mental Health. International experts from psychiatry, psychology, nursing, sociology, advocacy groups, and consumers highlighted the importance of the context of women's lives, poverty, education, autonomy, reproduction, relationships, violence, discrimination, infectious diseases, special populations and specific topics. Consensus was that emphasis should be on health promotion, public health, health policy and broad determinants of health, rather than focusing solely on services. Social, economic and cultural aspects must be addressed, as well as biological, for only by a change in society's attitudes, will women realize their full mental health. Strong gender perspectives should guide health policy and services, paying attention to how gender roles may enhance or damage health. Effective multidisciplinary participation, working with women, is essential to facilitate optimal international women's mental health.

Cultural issues in the classification and diagnosis of mood and anxiety disorders

World Psychiatry 2012; 11 (suppl. 1): 26-30.

The World Health Organization has stated that clinical utility and cross-cultural applicability will be accorded a very high priority during the process of revising the ICD-10. This brief review highlights the impact of cultural factors on clinical presentations, gender differences, and treatment realities in the area of mood and anxiety disorders, with particular emphasis on research from non-Western settings. Even a cursory examination of these issues reveals significant cross-cultural variations in the clinical and treatment profile of these disorders. The process of revision would greatly benefit by incorporating relevant insights from the growing body of evidence regarding socio-cultural influences on depressive and anxiety disorders. This may eventually help lessen the widespread problems of non-recognition and under-treatment of these disorders, thereby enhancing the global utility of the ICD-11.

Culture and symptom reporting at menopause

Human Reproduction Update, 2005

The purpose of the present paper is to review recent research on the relationship of culture and menopausal symptoms and propose a biocultural framework that makes use of both biological and cultural parameters in future research. Medline was searched for English-language articles published from 2000 to 2004 using the keyword 'articles concerning small clinical samples, surgical menopause or HRT. Additionally, references of retrieved articles and reviews were hand-searched. Although a large number of studies and publications exist, methodological differences limit attempts at comparison or systematic review. We outline a theoretical framework in which relevant biological and cultural variables can be operationalized and measured, making it possible for rigorous comparisons in the future. Several studies carried out in Japan, North America and Australia, using similar methodology but different culture/ethnic groups, indicate that differences in symptom reporting are real and highlight the importance of biocultural research. We suggest that both biological variation and cultural differences contribute to the menopausal transition, and that more rigorous data collection is required to elucidate how biology and culture interact in female ageing.

Clinicians' view of experience of assessing and following up depression among women in IR Iran

World Cult Psychiatry …, 2009

Background: Depression is a common and disabling disorder. Women suffer more than men according to surveys in Iran and other countries. Delay, misdiagnosis, non-specific treatments and lack of follow up have constituted a typical care pathway for depressed people throughout the world. One reason may be that the explanatory models of clinicians differ from those of patients in their own culture. This study explores the experiences of clinicians with a view understanding the explanatory model of depressed women from the clinician's point of view. Methods: A qualitative method, using data collection from individual interviews with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and general physicians, was applied in three Iranian cities with different ethnic backgrounds. Totally 24 participants -6 general physicians, 14 psychiatrists and 4 clinical psychologists -participated in the study. Two techniques were used:

Gender differences in the prevalence of depression: a survey in primary care

Journal of Affective Disorders, 1999

Epidemiological surveys demonstrate that unipolar depression is more common in females than in males. Gender-specific cultural and social factors may contribute to the female preponderance. This study explores this possibility in a cross-cultural sample of general-practice patients systematically recruited in the WHO study ''Psychological Problems in Primary Care'' conducted in 14 countries with identical sampling and assessment strategies. Although absolute prevalence rates are broadly varying between centers proposing that the gender ratio is nearly constant with 1:2. The cultural context does not contribute substantially to the female preponderance. This study lends some support to previous observations that the magnitude of female preponderance is associated with the number of symptoms associated with depression requested for caseness and inversely related to the degree of social impairment. Matching social role variables (marital status, children, occupational status) between females and males reduces the female excess by about 50% across all centers. Therefore, we conclude that social factors are inducing part of the preponderance of females among depressed cases.

Women's mental health: a silent cause of mortality and morbidity

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2006

It is estimated that 450 million individuals worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems at any time, and that 873,000 die annually by suicide. Key international authorities and a literature review suggest that women are disproportionately affected by depression, anxiety and eating disorders, which usually go unrecognized and untreated, and that the mental health of women can be understood only if their biological, social, cultural, economic and personal context is considered. International efforts should increase to prevent, recognize and treat mental disorders in girls and women. An International Women's Mental Health Consensus Statement is herein provided, for endorsement by interested organizations wishing to begin this task.

The 8th International Conference on Women’s Health; Women’s Mental Health

2020

Mental health is one of the most important of health components.Mental and behavioral diseases are major disease burdens. Women make up half of the world's population and raise the other half. While women are an integral part of societies, their diverse roles put them at a higher risk of psychological issues The 8th conference on women's health was the collaboration of Health Policy Research Center, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical sciences, and Health Promotion and Women’s Health workgroup affiliated with the Academy of Medical Sciences. It is believed that we must move towards promoting and broadening women's health issues beyond the sole reproductive and sexual rights. Through a coordinated action, which has involved all concerned stakeholders including governmental health, social, and economic sectors, local authorities and stakeholders, industries, NGOs, volunteers, and the media aiming to enhance women’s mental health, the conference had three prioritie...