Analysis: Depression in U.S. Blacks Less Common But More Severe ~ Psychology News and Research Briefs ~ Find Counseling.com

Analysis: Depression in U.S. Blacks Less Common But More Severe

Depression weighs heavily upon U.S. blacks, a new study shows, despite lower rates of major depressive disorders.

Analyzing self-reports from 6,082 African-Americans, Caribbean-Americans and non-Hispanic whites, researchers found that while 18 percent of whites had experienced a major depressive disorder (MDD) during their lives, just 10.4 percent of African-Americans and 13 percent of Caribbean-Americans had. However, just 45 percent of African-Americans and fewer than a quarter Caribbean-Americans with MDD were treated for the disorder. Previous studies have shown that overall, 57 percent of adults with MDD seek treatment.

Without proper care, African- and Caribbean-Americans were more likely to experience longer, more severe bouts of depression, with 56 percent of black depression suffers reporting chronic symptoms compared to just 38.6 percent of whites. Among those reporting severe impairment, blacks reported an average of 71 days during the year where they were unable to function, while whites reported an average of just 63.

Because they often avoided seeking formal care until MDD symptoms became acute, black sufferers were also more likely to be severely impaired by depression and to end up in mental health wards without having first received outpatient treatment.

Experts say barriers to care coupled with stigmas about mental illness, a lack of knowledge about depression and the idea that "the blues" is just a part of life within African-American and Caribean-American communities contribute to these behaviors. They now urge research to better understand and interventions to prevent such disparities.

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