1. AFR ANTHONETH JEFFREY 1502 SEC E868 (80403) PROFESSOR COVERT 12-18-20 MENTAL ILLNESS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

2. THESIS Depression and panic disorder in African-American women between the ages of 15-40 is misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and undertreated because; they are afraid to disclose information about their condition to others to others because of the stigma attached to the disease; race and socioeconomic status determines the type of treatment they will receive, and the model used to evaluate and treat these illnesses does not cater for the specific needs of many Affrican-American women.

3. What is depression It is a serious medical condition, and much more than feeling sad or having the blues. It disrupts your mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, social interaction, activities and normal daily functions. It may occur as a one time experience, but in many cases it recurs throughout ones’ lifetime.

4. Cause of depression Genetics Biochemical Environment Psychological

5. Stressors They are look at as being inferior to white women Treated unfairly Placed at the bottom of the ladder in relation to sex, class and race, regardless if they share equal socio- economical status.

6. Cont’d Poverty Domestic abuse Single parenthood Not having a companion Loneliness

7. Symptoms of depression Constant irritability, persistent sadness Feelings of hopelessness and guilt Drastic change in eating and sleeping patterns Persistent thoughts of death and suicide Lost of interest in things that was once enjoyable Headaches, chronic pain, and digestive disorder that won’t go away even after treatment.

8. Treatment Options Medication Psychotherapy  Cognitive behavioral therapy  Interpersonal therapy  Electroconvulsive therapy

9. Evaluation Process The evaluation process for depression in African American is done by identifying symptoms that are normally associated with white women. This leads to misdiagnosis.

10. Depression affects over 20 million people every year, and is the number one reason for suicide in the United States. In most cases depression can be successfully treated once caught. Unfortunately, only 12% of affected African American seek help or treatment. This leads to under-diagnosis and under- treatment of the disease.

11. A study conducted by the National Survey of American life on racial, ethnic and cultural influences on mental health and mental disorder discovered that the African American community has a history of clinging to secrets, lies and shame originating from slavery. They have also adopted into their culture the avoidance of emotions as a strategy for survival.

12. reasons for keeping their illness a secret Fear of hurting their family It may destroy their career They may be looked at as being crazy (a big one) Can’t appear to be weak Feeling of shame

13. Some women are unaware of the symptoms of depressions. Some believe that the church and prayer is the solution

14. Under treatment Insufficient providers with the knowledge of black culture Not enough black health care providers No insurance, or they are underinsured Denial of the illness Uneasy about the humiliation attached to the use of medication

15. Fact Sheet & video http://www.psych.org/practice/professional- interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources http://www.psych.org/practice/professional- interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF1t47D8MXE

16. References Craig, C. D., Hunn, V. L. (2009, April). Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development:  Depression, sociocultural factors, and African American women. Vol 37(2), 83-93. Heidrich, S. M., Ward, E. C. (2009, October). National Institute Of Health: Res Nurs Health. African American women’s belief about mental illness, stigma, and preferred coping behaviors. 32(5), 480-492. doi 10.1002/nur.20344 National Alliance of Mental Health (2009, Oct). African American women and depression: Fact sheet Retrieved from: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Women_and_Depression&Template=/ContentMan agement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88884 http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Women_and_Depression&Template=/ContentMan agement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88884 Youtube: Black women and depression. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF1t47D8MXE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF1t47D8MXE American Psychiatric Association (2010). Office of Minority and National Affairs: Mental health disparities: African American: Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.psych.org/practice/professional-interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources http://www.psych.org/practice/professional-interests/diversityomna/diversity-resources