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‘Masked depression’ brings stigma, economic losses
It may be difficult for patients to determine whether they suffer from depression, as some physical symptoms appear to resemble those of other illnesses, such as constant headaches, severe back pain and chronic gastritis
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t may be difficult for patients to determine whether they suffer from depression, as some physical symptoms appear to resemble those of other illnesses, such as constant headaches, severe back pain and chronic gastritis.
Patients who suffer from “somatization disorder” tend to take mild drugs instead of seeking medical help, even after the drugs do not work.
“They just don’t think that it’s actually depression, although it can give them emotional distress that prevents them from functioning normally in life,” Health Ministry mental health division director Diah Setia Utami said.
Left untreated, such depression can be followed by more serious complications, including diabetes and coronary heart disease.
Depression and other mental health disorders can also burden the families and neighbors of patients. “This will give rise to significant economic losses and a loss of productivity,” said Diah.
Healthcare practitioners around the world are looking forward to the observance of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 9.
Suzy Yusna Dewi, a psychiatrist from Soeharto Heerdjan Mental Health Hospital’s children and adolescent mental health department, said that many people were not aware that mental health problems were curable and that patients could eventually lead normal lives.
“With proper medication, it is possible for people with mental illnesses to recover,” she told The Jakarta Post.
Also aggravating the problem are misconceptions about those with mental disorders.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, “Depression: A Global Crisis”, will focus on masked depression and its comorbidities.
According to the 2007 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), the percentage of people aged 15 or above in Indonesia who suffer from mental or emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression stands at 11.6, or about 19 million people. Meanwhile, the prevalence of people with serious mental health disorders stands at 0.46 percent, or around 1 million people.
A 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) report said that globally, 154 million people have depression.
“Currently, 121 million people are suffering from depression, and 5.8 percent of the men and 9.5 percent of the women in the world have once experienced a depressive episode in their lives,” the WHO report said.
In 2020, depression will rank as the second leading cause of disabilities, after ischemic heart disease. In 2000, depression ranked fourth as the most common cause of disabilities, after low respiratory infection, perinatal conditions and HIV/AIDS.
“Depression in this country is getting more serious as a result of stressful competition in modern life,” Muhammad Reza Syah, a psychiatrist from the Urban Mental Health Center at Soeharto Heerdjan said.
At least 50,000 people in Indonesian commit suicide every year, according to a report issued by the WHO in 2005.
Diah said that while she could not verify the WHO’s figures, the report indicated that around 150 people committed suicide in Indonesia every day.
“If the data is true, then we have to give people immediate attention, including both medical treatment and the psychosocial support needed to prevent their suicide,” Diah said.
World Mental Health Day was first observed on Oct. 9, 1993, and was initiated by the World Federation of Mental Health.
