Survey reveals deep ignorance about depression
Sufferers could be delaying treatment because they feel shame, doctor says
A survey has revealed widespread misconceptions about depression, prompting a doctor to warn that sufferers could be delaying medical treatment as a result.
About 74 per cent of respondents blamed sufferers' 'weak character' as the cause of depression. Sixty per cent said patients being treated for depression would develop a drug dependency if they relied on medication.
Nearly 65 per cent of respondents said they would seek help from friends if they thought they were suffering depression, while 40 per cent said they would deal with the problem by reducing their workload.
Only one-third said they would seek treatment from a doctor.
The survey, conducted by the Hong Kong Family Link Mental Health Advocacy Association last month, interviewed 511 people aged between 21 and 60.
The director of the Hong Kong Mood Disorders Centre, Lee Sing, said the study showed people had serious misconceptions about depression.
'People with an outgoing character and strong will can also suffer from depression. Don't be deceived by those who always smile and are confident or even have a promising career,' Dr Lee said.
'Patients often tend to seek medical help late, as they think it is just a personality problem, and chatting with friends will help them feel better. They also feel ashamed and refuse to admit that they have psychological problems.'
He explained that depression was caused by a brain disorder which upset the hormones that affected emotions.
He said that medication to treat depression would not lead to drug addiction or abuse.
'Patients can successfully reduce dosage once their situation improves and stop medication once they have recovered.'
Dr Lee said people suffering from depression often developed symptoms such as chest pain, insomnia, low self-esteem, feeling hopeless and helpless, a loss of appetite and suicidal thoughts.
'If a person has such symptoms for more than two weeks, one is suffering from depression and should seek medical help from psychologists or psychiatry experts to avoid wrong diagnosis.'
Dr Lee urged the Hospital Authority to spend more on better-quality drugs to treat the illness as cheaper medication could have serious side effects.
He suggested the government include education about depression in primary and secondary schools' curriculums.
'More teenagers use knives or cutters to hurt themselves when they feel upset, and this phenomenon tells us they do not know how to handle their emotions. Education is the key to the problem,' he said.
He also encouraged family doctors to receive more training on dealing with depressed patients.
