A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Depression and A Comparison of Treatment Approaches

Depression is recognised as one of the oldest known psychiatric disorders. It is known that in non-Western societies, this disorder is predominantly expressed through physical symptoms and that suicide rates are lower compared to Western societies. Conversely, it is stated that in Western societies, feelings of guilt more frequently accompany depression, and that this phenomenon is explained by the influences of the Judeo-Christian tradition. For example, the belief that the individual is inherently sinful features among these explanations. In many cultures, it is observed that the behaviour of seeking help is shaped through physical complaints. The application of Western psychiatric diagnostic and treatment methods without flexibility can lead to underlying psychosocial problems being overlooked in societies where physical expressions are predominant. For this reason, taking cultural sensitivity into account in the assessment of depression is regarded as a fundamental necessity.