Depression Awareness among Minority Women
Introduction
The issue of depression remains a tremendous concern among African-American women, with the mental health being often stigmatized among the black people. Even though the health problem of depression could affect people regardless of their race or background, historical experiences as well as cultural behaviors make the depression to be addressed and expressed differently among the minority women. Similarly, depression among low-income women is still unappreciated, making it a devastating health condition (Joy & Hudes, 2010). As explained by Joy and Hudes (2010), the minority women (such as the low-income women) have higher rates of depression as compared to the women in other income groups …show more content…
The two-to-one difference exists across ethnic, racial, and economic divides making the minority women even more prone to the problem of depression. Rates of depression are similar among minorities (African Americans) and the White Americans only when the demographic, sociocultural, and socioeconomic factors are kept constant (Ahmed & Bhugra, 2007). However, there exists a myriad of diversities in such factors among the White Americans and minority women (African Americans and Hispanics). Causes of depression could be subdivided into such categories as psychological, biological, and social factors.
A major cause of depression for the minority women is the migration from their home countries to the United States. The migration is affiliated to historical experiences and is a great driver of psychological distress due to the traumatic experiences before migration (Ahmed & Bhugra, 2007). There is also the overwhelming stress at work, home, or even at school. Most minority women are faced with psychological distress when in the same environment with the White, especially in instances where there is discrimination on the basis of race and ethnic …show more content…
For the minority women, signs and symptoms are linked and portrayed in their daily activities. Even though depression signs vary from one woman to another, there are some common signs and symptoms. It is essential to note that the symptoms could be part of normal lows in life but the more symptoms the minority women have and the longer they last, the more likely that they are dealing with depression.
A major symptom of depression is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. In this situation, the African American and Hispanic women having the feeling that their situation is grave, can never get better, and they can do nothing to improve the situation. Besides, there is loss of interest in daily activities. In such instances, the minority women fail to care anymore about the former social activities, hobbies, or even sex. With the high level of unemployment among the minority women, there are increased feelings of compromised pleasure and joy. Another sign of depression among the minority women is the sleep changes (Steve Herman, Kim, Chiu, & Frueh, 2011). However, the symptom could be challenging to note, since such women are faced with the problem of working for longer hours and getting minimum hours of sleep. Lastly, the minority women experience unexplained aches and pains. The problems could be extended to increased physical
Introduction
The issue of depression remains a tremendous concern among African-American women, with the mental health being often stigmatized among the black people. Even though the health problem of depression could affect people regardless of their race or background, historical experiences as well as cultural behaviors make the depression to be addressed and expressed differently among the minority women. Similarly, depression among low-income women is still unappreciated, making it a devastating health condition (Joy & Hudes, 2010). As explained by Joy and Hudes (2010), the minority women (such as the low-income women) have higher rates of depression as compared to the women in other income groups …show more content…
The two-to-one difference exists across ethnic, racial, and economic divides making the minority women even more prone to the problem of depression. Rates of depression are similar among minorities (African Americans) and the White Americans only when the demographic, sociocultural, and socioeconomic factors are kept constant (Ahmed & Bhugra, 2007). However, there exists a myriad of diversities in such factors among the White Americans and minority women (African Americans and Hispanics). Causes of depression could be subdivided into such categories as psychological, biological, and social factors.
A major cause of depression for the minority women is the migration from their home countries to the United States. The migration is affiliated to historical experiences and is a great driver of psychological distress due to the traumatic experiences before migration (Ahmed & Bhugra, 2007). There is also the overwhelming stress at work, home, or even at school. Most minority women are faced with psychological distress when in the same environment with the White, especially in instances where there is discrimination on the basis of race and ethnic …show more content…
For the minority women, signs and symptoms are linked and portrayed in their daily activities. Even though depression signs vary from one woman to another, there are some common signs and symptoms. It is essential to note that the symptoms could be part of normal lows in life but the more symptoms the minority women have and the longer they last, the more likely that they are dealing with depression.
A major symptom of depression is a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. In this situation, the African American and Hispanic women having the feeling that their situation is grave, can never get better, and they can do nothing to improve the situation. Besides, there is loss of interest in daily activities. In such instances, the minority women fail to care anymore about the former social activities, hobbies, or even sex. With the high level of unemployment among the minority women, there are increased feelings of compromised pleasure and joy. Another sign of depression among the minority women is the sleep changes (Steve Herman, Kim, Chiu, & Frueh, 2011). However, the symptom could be challenging to note, since such women are faced with the problem of working for longer hours and getting minimum hours of sleep. Lastly, the minority women experience unexplained aches and pains. The problems could be extended to increased physical