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Last time, we discussed depression in the black community, with Gary Coleman acting as our poster boy for what not to do when you are suffering from depression. In keeping with our theme, I now discuss the many reasons black folks don't get diagnosed and certainly do not get treated.
Related Stories: Part 1: 'Gary Coleman and Untreated Depression in the Black Community'
Acclaimed author and expert Dr. Alvin Poussaint believes there is too big of a stigma associated with depression in the black community. Poussaint states that more than 60 percent of black individuals don't see depression as a mental illness, while the Black Caucus Foundation has further cited that 63 percent of African Americans view depression as a "personal weakness." The result is that we do not seek help.
Terrie Williams is a high-powered publicist who has represented some of the most famous black celebrities in the world, including Eddie Murphy and Janet Jackson. She is also the author of 'Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting,' in which she not only chronicles her own ongoing battle with depression, but also, through her Stay Strong Foundation, travels the world encouraging black folks to recognize and talk about how mental illness has affected their lives.
Williams believes that the issue is not just about the stigma of admitting to a mental health problem or depression (better known as the "I'm not crazy; I don't need no psychiatrist" syndrome), but that it goes even deeper. She refers to the "mask" as the major culprit of self-denial for depression:
"The mask is what we feel that we need to get through our everyday lives. It's the mask that says that I'm fine, that I am confident, that I'm accomplished. You may need the mask to maintain the competitive edge, but at the end of the day, you feel awful and you still feel the pain of your untreated depression."
Watch her discuss the mask here:
Williams points out in her many speeches and workshops that when we do not get help for our emotional issues, especially depression, "We engage in behaviors that are harmful to ourselves or others, such as crime, violence, promiscuous sex, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, workaholism, shopaholism and gambling in order to cope, and it's killing us."
As if the stigma of getting psychotherapy wasn't bad enough, the fear associated with psychiatric medications is even worse. Black Americans have traditionally mistrusted the medical establishment since the discovery of the criminal behavior of scientists during the Tuskegee Experiment, cited as "arguably the most infamous biomedical research study in U.S. history."
With the Tuskegee study, scientists withheld penicillin and information from black Southern men afflicted with syphilis. Victims included patients who died of syphilis, partners who were infected by the disease and children who were born with congenital syphilis.
In addition to this mistrust many of us have with the medical community, there is also the reality that only 2.3 percent of all psychiatrists in the United States are African American. Therefore, this becomes a psychological and cultural block to getting access to psychiatric treatment and medication.
It should also be pointed out that the same dismal numbers among psychologists, where only 1.8 percent of them are black, also keeps some black patients from seeking culturally sensitive and culturally competent psychotherapy services.
Internist and psychiatric medication specialist Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington states:
"It's a shame that black people with depression are so fearful of and distrustful of psychiatric medications, especially when we are so fortunate to live in a time when scientists have figured out the underlying cause of major depression. Essentially many clinical depressions are caused by low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters, which are special proteins in the brain.
"The miracle of science has discovered medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs) that help raise these levels of chemicals in the brain. The most important aspect of the SSRIs is that they get at the underlying biological problem of depression, instead of covering up the problem with sedatives. But many people, not just blacks, believe that they will be addicted to the medications or may have to take them forever, which is often not true."
Watch Ellington talk depression medication here:
Are you or someone you know suffering from depression? Are you or someone you know being treated for it? If not, why? Please share your stories and experience in the comments section. Watch out for the next installment of our Depression series, 'Physical Illness and Symptoms of Depression.'
Part 1: 'Gary Coleman and Untreated Depression in the Black Community'
Dr. Jeff Gardere, better known as America's psychologist is one of the most sought-after experts in the field of mental health. In addition to having a private practice in New York City, he has garnered a reputation as being a top motivational and keynote speaker, empowerment and media coach. He now appears as the relationship expert on VH-1's 'Dad Camp.'
Comments: (22)
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By: Sunshine on 7/16/2010 3:02PM
It is a sad reality that most African American family does not support those who are suffering from depression and often times label them as crazy. I went out on a limb and sought help for my depression family and friends turned their back on me. I was no longer the person they looked up too, now i am looked down on and treated as if I am a piece of trash. Battling depression alone is painful. As an African American women I was brought up to conceal your personal problems and keep your problems to yourself the old cilice "what goes on in this home stays in this home" concept amongst blacks are still being used.
I regret to this day ever seeking medical attention for depression. The respect is gone from my family all because I tried to seek help for depression. Being called crazy in a joking and none joking way is hurtful.
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By: brwneyz25 on 7/16/2010 2:24PM
I have suffered from depression on and off from high school through my early adult life. My family watched me go through it and chose to ignore it and figured I was just "too sensitive" and "nothing was really wrong" when I wanted to talk to someone the old addage (sp. chk) of what goes on in the house stays in the house, prevented my parents from letting me speak with someone. I maintained the "everything is perfect" image in the public but behind close doors I hurt and cried. It wasnt until college that I finally said enough was enough and sought out my own help. Ultimately, my families choice to ignore the matter caused a separation to form. Its rough to deal with depression alone, but its even worse when those who are supposed to support you through your healing, leave you hanging.
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By: Sunshine on 7/16/2010 3:14PM
You are so right, The meere fact that no one want to even comment on this subject tells you how we as African American do not support deppresion; we would rather act as if it does not exist.
Only two comments speaks volume.
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By: missnettelady on 7/16/2010 3:56PM
One reason I've come to understand why individuals may not seek help for depression; not only is it challenging to deal with feelings// how to recognize when something is wrong, its intimidating to accept treatment. Perhaps its overwhelming. Many ppl are already consumed with what their daily lives consist of. Working, caring for families, caring for self, school, etc.
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By: sunandsand on 7/17/2010 12:58AM
My heart goes out to the commenters here- I have a similar story also that is so similar to the others, I won't bother to go into it. I also have a theory that because black women, just because of the circumstances we find ourselves in (both as kids and adults), we just go into survival mode and live out our lives in that place. It's hard to know what you really feel when there's not enough time in the day to feel it. Plus, when you come from a household that doesn't believe in depression or psychology or therapy, it makes it hard to know what to do when you DO feel it. But clinical depression(or anxiety, which is what I was diagnosed with), I have learned, is a medical condition, just like having a heart condition or some other ailment. Doctors, therapists and others are in the business of treating it, and since treatment is available, black women have to be strong and seek it out regardless of repercussions. I have found that walking, yoga, meditation and prayer have helped me a lot as well. And knowing that I am stronger than family, coworkers, even therapists have ever given me credit for. My advice is to shop around and try out several counselors/therapists/psychologists before sticking to just one. I had several that I went through before I found the "right fit" for me. Some of the therapists were more damaged than I was. Some were downright rude. Others were prejudiced. My attitude was: just like I hired you by coming here, step out of line and I will fire you. You aren't the only person in your line of work and you work for me, not the other way around. I'm coming to you for help to get better, and I am the only one that knows what that feels like for me, not you. I went through at least 4 that I can remember just on that basis. As for family, you have to love them from a distance, take what they say with a grain of salt, and when you have had enough of the comments, shut them down with some choice words of your own. Then go live your life. Hope this helps someone.
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By: FC on 7/17/2010 10:12AM
I have found this to be true in the black community, that denial about life runs deep. And if you admit to "going thru" or being depressed then you are looked down upon. I have even heard religious church-goers dogg others out by saying that they have no faith that God is gonna work it out or they must not be in Christ, b/c they're depressed. So, the church has stigmatized depression also, not all, but some have.
So, where does that leave people who truly need treatment? They're emnbarrassed and they know that they won't have any support from their social circle of family/friends.
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By: candie on 7/17/2010 11:52AM
My family rarely discusses ANY illnesses. We have just always kept it moving. So I really can't say that depression was purposely ignored. I recognized it in myself pretty early on. People who are around me regularly have always had a perception of me that probably would negate any thought that I would be depressed. And as a family, we live very separate, isolated lives, so I can honestly say no one would have really known anyway. Whenever I would talk about it to my mother, she was always supportive and never asserted herself into how to handle it. She was just there for me however I needed her to be. Although I have really good insurance now, growing up,we never really visited doctors and such because it wasn't a resource without excessive expense. I think that has much to do with the issue in our culture. Often, we just don't utilize the resources that are available, or we cannot afford to go.
Now that I have been going off and on for a few years, I feel like it really isn't helping me. My experiences have been that the professionals seem too "textbook". I could save my money and continue doing what I have been doing! I also hate the push for the medications. Maybe they are helpful, but I am leery of meds anyway.
As a teacher in an urban school district, I see far too many parents allowing children to take meds that are prescribed for "behavior" issues. I wonder why the stigma is absent in regards to this area (emotional/hyperactivity)?? I would think these would have a more negative connotation than depression because at least depression is a result of something and not a "defect". I dare not go into what I believe the true motivator is for the latter (money).
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By: Greg on 7/17/2010 10:31PM
Depression hurts!
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By: Mac on 7/17/2010 10:26PM
I have been suffering from depression for the last 6 years, I finally sought treatment about two years ago. This condition has really weakened me to a point where I all I do is stay in my apartment. The activities I used to participate in I no longer have an interest in, ie basketball, working out, bowling, sex, family activities. I have a lot of anger inside me that I have never figured out how to release. I have tried talking to therapists but it did not work, to scripted,questions such as do you do drugs, how much do you drink etc. I really thought I was going to have a relationship like the one Tony Sopranos has with his therapist. I do not like going out, I do not like getting dressed, bathing can put out too much energy. Its very hard to get out of bed, I have stopped communicating with my children. Friends and family say I am in a funk, get over it manup they say. I say if have not been in it you can't understand it. I no longer work. Most days I am in my room staring at the wall. Friends call to take me out and I will not go, I feel like damaged goods. As soon as a person says lets go here I will say in my mind that I am not going. I do not smile anymore, the fight is gone in me. Tried the meds did not work, the only thing keeping me around is because I have custody of my children. Please do not let this site vanish, I wrote in about G. Coleman and the site vanished suddenly, seems as though depression is taboo in the black community.
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By: sunandsand on 7/18/2010 3:55PM
Don't give up- try another doctor, maybe a general practioner. Keep track of the various kinds of medications and their dosages that have not worked in the past, and ask for new ones. It definitely sounds like you have depression or anxiety, or something like that. Your behavior/feelings sounds like you are a classic case. However long you have been having the symptoms, it may take at least that long before you are fully recovered. When I took meds, it took me about 2 weeks before I noticed a change. After 5 or 6 months, I could definitely see a difference in the way I was before the meds, and the way I felt after being on them. I eventually was able to stop taking them. While on the meds I developed a lot of self help skills that have sustained me through tough times, but I never forget the warning signs that I may need to be under doctors care. When you think about dying and being dead and those are pleasant thoughts to you, constant thoughts of suicide and that life is not worth living, thoughts and feelings of worthlessness- these are all red flags that you need to see a doctor as soon as the clinic or urgent care in your area opens in the morning. There is no shame in it- people in the medical field see everything pass through their doors; they see people come, and they see them go. Just go tomorrow or on monday bright and early. Between now and then make a list of medications, dosages, your symptoms, and how long they have been happening. Go in to the doctor's prepared, and demand that you be prescribed something before you leave that day. Even if they give you a referral to some place else. If you get a referral to another doctor, make an appointment with that person the same day you get the referral. Don't waste any time with this illness. It isn't necessary to feel the way you are feeling. Good luck.
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