Population awareness of depression and treatment methods

Abstract

Aim. To study the population of the Chuvash Republic awareness of depression and methods of its treatment. Material and methods. Seven hundred sixty-four residents of the Chuvash Republic (472 women, 292 men) aged 18 to 83 years old (average age - 35.5 ± 14,3 years old) were interviewed anonymously. Urban residents were 75.5%, rural - 24.5%, with medical education - 5.9%. Two K. Griffiths et al. vignettes described patients with normal depressive state and depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts. After reading the picture, the respondents had to answer seven short questions. Mathematical and statistical processing included the calculation of the mean, standard deviation and χ2 distribution. Results. 39.0% of the respondents correctly identified the state of depression in the vignettes. This mental disorder was reliably better recognized by the respondents with a medical or higher education, urban residents and those who met such patients in life. The respondents most often (44,5%) recommended receiving psychological assistance, consultations and medical treatment (33,5%). They often suggested various “popular interventions”, did not know which specialists to contact and how to treat such a pathology, or suggested doing nothing at all, even if there were suicidal thoughts. More than 75% of the respondents expressed an improvement in patients’ condition in the case of their referring to specialists, the best results were given by the respondents who correctly recognized depression. Conclusion. The study showed a low level of depression awareness of the population of Chuvashia. This circumstance is reflected in the appeal of the people for medical (psychiatric, psychotherapeutic) help and expectations regarding the treatment of this mental disorder. A high proportion of incorrect answers about depression require educational work with the population, better psychiatric preparedness of specialists in the psychological profile and doctors of the general somatic network.