Reasons Why Indians Avoid Treatment for Depression?

Do you know according to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) 42.5% of employees in the private sector suffers from depression or general anxiety disorder? Delhi ranks first in terms of employees suffering from depression or general anxiety disorder followed by Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Pune. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 6.5% of India’s population suffers from some form of mental illness.

However, the most concerning fact are that almost 80% of people diagnosed with mental sickness who do not seek any treatment.

Talking on this matter renowned psychologist and counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares that with proper treatment (like counselling, psychotherapy, and medication), 90% of mental illness sufferers can benefit and up to 75% can recover completely. However, the most common reasons why Indian doesn’t get treatment for depression are:

1.  Fear and Shame

The most common reason to avoid Counselor or Psychiatrist is the fear and shame. People recognize the stigma and discrimination associated with having a depression and don’t want to be labelled “mentally ill” or “insane.” They fear what others will think about them and a label of mental illness may hamper their life possibilities – a good marriage, good job, social status etc.

2. Limited Awareness:

In India, the awareness and knowledge about mental illness is extremely limited. This lack of awareness has made mental illness to some extent a taboo.

3. Lack of knowledge about mental illness

Since the Indian school curriculum still has not introduced information about mental illness, in many cases sufferers are unable to figure out that there is something wrong. For example, in most cases, people cannot identify that their prolonged sadness could be depression and it can be treated.

4. Distrust:

A lot of Indians finds it hard to reveal personal details to a doctor or counsellor. Many people show concern about “telling a stranger” about their issues. Additionally, they also, worry that their personal information will not remain a secret. The stigma that how can a stranger tell us how to run our lives makes them stay away seeking professional help and their chances of healing get dim.

5. Hopelessness:

Many a time depression brings a person into a vicious circle, where he/she gets so much depressed that they lose trust on their treatment or do not go to the counsellor at first place, because their depression tells them that nothing can cure them or they will never get better.

6. Realistic Barrier:

Another prominent barrier to mental health care is financial constraints. Generally, counselling therapies are depression drugs are usually expensive. That is why Government intervention is necessary, insurance and medical policies should cover these treatments and medication.